Backpack Construction
Upper Load Stabiliser Straps
On Internal Frame Backpacks, the Upper Load Stabiliser Straps
are adjustable straps that run from the Shoulder Strap at the top
of shoulder, to an attachment point on the backpack, at the top
of the Internal Staves. These Upper Load Stabiliser Straps allow
you to adjust the distance between your back and your backpack.
Pull these two Upper Load Stabiliser Straps simultaneously, to draw
the backpack close to the back.
It is critical that the exit point, or pull position of the Upper
Load Stabiliser Straps from the Shoulder Straps to the top of the
backpack be correctly positioned. The optimum exit position of the
Upper Load Stabiliser Straps from the shoulder is below the clavicle,
25 mm to 50 mm lower than the top of the shoulder. This ensures
the pressure or pull of the backpack is placed equally on the shoulders
and the chest. White Mountain™ provide a sliding buckle on
the Upper Load Stabiliser Strap above the Shoulder Strap D-Ring
for finite positioning, but in our opinion, it is better to use
a backpack of the correct size and set the Torso Length accurately
rather than using this adjustment. This sliding buckle can, however,
be moved as much as 25 mm to optimize the position of pull from
the Shoulder Straps and the shoulder.
After setting the Torso Length, and correctly positioning the
exit point of the Upper Load Stabiliser Straps, you should find
the Hip Belt correctly positioned across or just below or over the
Iliac Crest. If this is not the case, you will need to adjust the
Ladder Harness, Sliding Yoke Harness, or Independent Sliding Harness
to increase or decrease the Torso Length to achieve correct positioning
of the exit point of the Upper Load Stabiliser Straps and the Hip
Belt. If the pull position of the Upper load Stabiliser Straps is
high on top of the shoulder, you will need to increase the Torso
Length adjustment. Conversely, if the Upper Load Stabiliser Straps
are low on the shoulder, you will need to decrease the Torso Length
adjustment.
After setting the Torso Length as measured and positioning the
exit point of the Upper Load Stabilizer Straps correctly on the
shoulder, you should find the Hip Belt positioned correctly across
the Iliac Crest. The curve of the Harness Shoulder Straps are position
correctly when these are at the centre of chest. If this is not
the case you will need to adjust the Ladder Harness, Sliding Yoke
Harness, or Independent Sliding Harness to increase or decrease
the Torso Length, to achieve correct positioning of the Harness
Shoulder Straps and exit point of the Upper Load Stabilizer Straps.
If the pull position of the Upper load Stabilizer Straps is high
on the shoulder, you will need to increase the Torso Length adjustment.
Conversely, if the Upper Load Stabilizer Straps are low on the shoulder,
you will need to decrease the Torso Length adjustment.
Pulling the two Upper Load Stabiliser Straps simultaneously draws
the backpack closer to the back with the Internal Staves and backpack
sitting squarely on the shoulders. This will place an even pressure
on the shoulders through the Shoulder Straps. On uphill hauls where
it’s advantageous to have the weight close to your back, tighten
these straps to pull the top of the backpack close to your body.
Conversely, loosen the Upper Load Stabiliser Straps on downhill
treks to adjust the centre of gravity. In hotter weather, loosening
these straps will provide ventilation between the back and the backpack.
Do not over tension the Upper Load Stabiliser Straps. Over tensioning
and having these straps incorrectly pull at more than 45º from the
exit point on the Harness Shoulder Straps to the anchor point on
the backpack, lifts the Shoulder Straps, renders the Sternum Strap
ineffective and places excessive unnecessary stress on the chest.
For an oversized backpack and a smaller Torso Length, reduce the
angle of pull by positioning the Upper Load Stabiliser Straps to
pull from lower on the backpack. To aid repositioning of the Upper
Load Stabiliser Straps, all White Mountain™ backpacks provide alternative
anchoring positions, in the form of Ladder Lock Buckles, or Webbing
Loops on the backpack harness. These secondary ladder lock buckles
or webbing buckle loops are located above the Internal Stave, approximately
5 cm below the original anchor position, at the top of the Internal
Stave.
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