Backpack Construction

White Mountain™ Design

What Materials is used in manufacturing these backpacks?

White Mountain™ material was originally sourced from KOLON Industries, Inc. in Korea. However Kodra is now no longer a trademark belonging to KOLON Industries, Inc. and the name Kodra is now used for any textured nylon manufactured by numerous factories in Asia, which means the quality can no longer be easily substantiated. For this reason all new White Mountain Backpacks™ will be manufactured with Invista Cordura materials. All qualified CORDURA® fabrics have been validated to ensure they meet the durability and quality standards of the CORDURA® brand. INVISTA works closely with its worldwide authorized mills and converters to ensure consistency of fabric quality and fitness for the intended use.

What Zippers are used in manufacturing these backpacks?

White Mountain™ originally used YBS Zippers in all backpacks which were branded White Mountain, however all new products will have YKK Zippers with the YKK Brand.

What Buckles and Hardware are used in these backpacks?

White Mountain™ Buckles, D-Rings and Clips used in the backpacks construction are supplied by National Molding Duraflex or Woo Jin Duraflex (A joint venture company of National Molding). These buckles are virtually unbreakable, non-slip, and easy to adjust.

What Webbing is used in these backpacks?

White Mountain™ use webbing of the highest grade Nylon or Polypropylene and heat cut to prevent separation at the ends.

What Reinforced Stitching is used in these backpacks?

To provide added strength, all stitched areas subject to stress have Back-Stitching, Bar-Tack stitching, Cross Stitching, or equivalent reinforced stitching.

What Thread is used in these Backpacks?

White Mountain™ use various high quality nylon thread in all stitching of backpacks to provide durability, strength, and rot resistance.

What stitching process is used in these backpacks?

White Mountain Backpacks™ material is double (twin) straight stitched at eight to ten stitches per inch. However, there is a direct correlation between thread type and size, material type and weight, needle size, and stitch type in determining the stitching method.

How is the Backpack Length determined in these backpacks?

The backpack overall length is determined by the Internal Save length plus 5cm to 10cm depending on the backpack design.

Most backpack manufactures use 5 standard stave lengths, 50cm, 55cm, 60cm, 65cm and 70cm. These standard stave lengths can vary by as much as 2cm and would equate to an average Optimum Torso Length of approximately 38cm (50cm stave), 42cm (55cm stave), 46cm (60cm stave), and 50cm (65cm stave). White Mountain™ use only 4 stave lengths from 50cm to a maximum stave length of 65cm.

In measuring numerous body types and designing and studying backpacks manufactured internationally, we are able to establish some standard dimensions for internal frame backpacks. One notable standard we use is the length of the base of the backpack or bottom section of the Internal Stave. The bottom of the Internal Stave is measured at 18cm (13cm when the Internal Stave is modified to fit a longer Torso Length) which is the longer average length of the lower back. The Internal Stave would not be placed higher than 5cm from the base of the backpack which provides a height of approximately 25cm for the lower section or lower compartment of the backpack.

The point where the top of the Hip Belt Wing crosses level with the hipbone or Iliac Crest is measured on the majority of people as between 11cm (4 3/8") to 14cm (5 1/2"), with the standard Hip Belt position set at the average length of 12.5cm (5 0/0"). We then use the average length of 12.5cm from the base of the Internal Stave to the top of the Hip Belt Wing. The point at which the Hip Belt meets the top of the Lumbar Pad on the backpack can be as much as 25cm from the base of the stave. However, the point at which the Hip Belt crosses the hipbone or Iliac Crest is 12.5cm or 5 0/0" from the base of the stave. When wearing the backpack the Hip Belt can be located 1.50cm higher or lower than the Iliac Crest depending on the individual Torso Length

The overall straight length of Internal Staves after subtracting the 11cm (4 3/8") to 14cm (5 1/2") is how we calculate the Optimum Torso Length for each Internal Stave length.

How is the Backpack Width determined in these backpacks?

For total stability the backpack should be symmetrical, and to counter balance leg movement our arms need to move freely. For practical purposes such as moving through scrub with a backpack, or through people and city obstacles, the width of the backpack should not extend beyond the width of the body. Well designed backpacks are wider at the base (hip width) and taper to the shoulder (chest width) conforming to the natural shape of the body. Generally in travel packs the width is more square and wider at the shoulders but still not extending beyond body width.

How is the Backpack Depth determined in these backpacks?

To determine the backpack depth we use the backpack length and width to calculate the back depth for the capacity we are seeking. Although we are not limited in the depth of the pack, the greater the depth of the backpack the more leverage on the back. This is why we do not construct a backpack in Extra Large (Higher Capacity) with a small stave length of 50cm, or a Net Torso Length of 38cm or 15". There is a natural tendency to lean forward when carrying weight on our backs, however to prevent lower back injury we expect this forward angle to be less than 10 degrees.

How is the Internal Stave Positioning determined in these backpacks?

We first need to consider the areas of the back that are best suited to comfortably bear weight, or the areas of our body that have the best muscle cover. The upper buttocks extending outwards offer the best lower back support in the hip area. In the upper area, either side of the spine on the upper back, and the front of the chest offer the best support. It must be noted that the lumbar position near our spine is poorly padded and we would avoid placing weight directly on this area. The correct position of the Internal Staves is then tapered at the lower back, either side of the spine or lumbar region at the base of the backpack and then extending upwards and outwards to the padded shoulder area either side of the spine on the upper back.