Chest Pack

[jerseydave]

I did a search and didn't come up with much.

I was wondering what the thought was on wearing a chest pack ALONG with a back pack in order to didtribute the weight more evenly on your body frame.

I'm thinking of getting a small chest pack to wear with a back pack in order to keep my small camera, eye and sunglasses, possible gps, and such in.

Any ideas or suggestions?

Thanks,
Dave

[Jayboflavin04]

Forget the companies name. They make a backpack that your speaking of. It has a front and back to balance the load. I have heard of anyone using them tho.

[Sierra Echo]

as big as my boobs are I wouldnt be able to see over the pack. That idea is not for chicks!

[Jayboflavin04]

FOUND IT.....the company is called Aarn

http://www.aarnpacks.com/

[couscous]

LuxuryLite also has a front pack as part of their modular system.
http://www.luxurylite.com/frontpackindex.html

[Trailweaver]

I would think it would make it difficult to do some of the scrambling around/climbing that you have to do. I just stash stuff like that in the side pockets of my backpack and then reach back to retrieve it. It is a little frustrating, but it's managable.

[beartripper]

Interesting. Would this tend to keep you hot on your hike. I went to the site. Is the science correct on this?

[Luddite]

It wouldn't be too fun wearing one of those in summer and like Sierra Echo said, what about women?

[Odd Man Out]

The Sherpas who work as porters in Nepal carry very heavy loads using a strap that loops over their foreheads. I'm sure this device has a name (which escapes me). It also centers the weight over your spine, just as as a front pack or carrying the load on top of your head would. It would seem a lot easier to implement with a standard pack. Has anyone seen this done by backpackers?

[Franco]

There is a stand alone front pack , thr Ribtz ( http://www.ribzwear.com/brochure/ )
The Aarn pockets are designed specifically for the Aarn packs, however someone at BPL has showned pictures of a modified GoLite pack that has the Aarn pockets attached.
Contrary to the way they look, most users find that their vision is not impared (I can see my feet just as well) and because they don't actually rest on your chest there is air circulation in between. This of course changes a bit with some women or men with big stomach bones.
A bit like with walking sticks most people that use them at some point thought they were a bit daft or inconvenient.
The concept of having a balanced weight preceded the "modern" idea of NOT having a balanced weight.
That is , throughout history people have tried (by trial and error) to carry the weight balanced and close to the center of gravity. Same reason why we carry a shopping bag on each hand and not two on the same side.
BTW, just to amuse me , try walking with a 10 lbs bag holding it by your hand (like a shopping bag). Then put that up on your shoulders (you need a bag with long straps...) Feel the difference?
Now carry two of those bags in one hand, then put one on each shoulder . Much easier, isn't it ?

The point of this is to show how much difference it can make by carrying the same weight closer to the center of gravity. And that is the main idea behind the Aarn packs.
Franco

[4eyedbuzzard]

The Sherpas who work as porters in Nepal carry very heavy loads using a strap that loops over their foreheads. I'm sure this device has a name (which escapes me). It also centers the weight over your spine, just as as a front pack or carrying the load on top of your head would. It would seem a lot easier to implement with a standard pack. Has anyone seen this done by backpackers?

Forehead strap is called a tumpline I believe.

The front pockets on Aarn packs don't actually sit right on your body but rather an inch to a couple inches away. The Al stay inside them can be bent and the straps set up and adjusted to accommodate most women's breasts. There bare sevral pic of women using them on Aarn's website http://www.aarnpacks.com/

I have one of their packs, a Peak Aspiration and it is the most comfortable pack I own. I switch between it and a 1.5 pound daypack depending on what I'm carrying, the season, etc. Anything over 15 lbs or so I use the Aarn even though it's 2 lbs heavier. I don't find it unusually hot, but then again, I live and hike in New England. On our rare 90+ deg days, anything is hot.

[4eyedbuzzard]

bare sevral pic of women . . .

Okay, THAT didn't come out as intended...I think.

[Sierra Echo]

Okay, THAT didn't come out as intended...I think.

LMAO!!! might i inquire as to what is on your mind?? as it isnt obvious enough?

[4eyedbuzzard]

LMAO!!! might i inquire as to what is on your mind?? as it isnt obvious enough?

Best Freudian typo I've done in a while. At least it was entertaining though. Could have been worse - thank goodness we weren't discussing fanny packs.

[Tipi Walter]

A couple months ago I went on a long backpacking trip and tied in with two Whiteblazers named Wisenber and Medicine Man. Here is Medicine Man in his Aarn's:

[psyculman]

I did a search and didn't come up with much.

I was wondering what the thought was on wearing a chest pack ALONG with a back pack in order to didtribute the weight more evenly on your body frame.

I'm thinking of getting a small chest pack to wear with a back pack in order to keep my small camera, eye and sunglasses, possible gps, and such in.

Any ideas or suggestions?

Thanks,
Dave

Dave,
Yes, front packs are a great idea.
I made a chest pack weighing 10.7 oz. I clips to the front of my pack. It has a low pocket for either two insulated waterbottles, or, one bottle,and a Big Agnes ins. aircore. A pocket for a small folding saw, and, other specific pockets for map, gps, etc. It is for winter hiking only, very warm for blocking wind and cold.

This front pack weighs less than 10 lb. when winter loaded, but that's 10 lb. NOT on the back. The difference in balance is dramatic, and MOST comfortable. Also, my shoulder straps on all my packs cross, in an X, not straight over, and release individually. So, this crossing over is extremely comfortable, and, fits so well, I don't need a hip strap at all.
The pack stays safely tight in all conditions. People will look at you, but, you can just smile right back,....... it's worth it. But, you will have to make it yourself.

[jerseydave]

Nice Job!

That is a nice job on the home made pack........ if I had tried that there would be blood stains on it from where I had sewn my finger to it......

If it comes down to home sewn I'll have to make nice with the wifey. She's the seamstress around here.

Thanks for the info and ideas.

[psyculman]

Nice Job!

That is a nice job on the home made pack........ if I had tried that there would be blood stains on it from where I had sewn my finger to it......

If it comes down to home sewn I'll have to make nice with the wifey. She's the seamstress around here.

Thanks for the info and ideas.

Dave,
It's all about patience, patience, patience, and a good seam ripper!!!!

[jerseydave]

There is a stand alone front pack , thr Ribtz ( http://www.ribzwear.com/brochure/ )

I know that for obvious reason (overheating) I probably wouldn't be using a front pack like this in the blistering heat of high summer so it may not be an issue......... BUT

If you were wearing this with minimal clothing underneath the straps, would the "strap over strap" from wearing the backpack harness over top of this strap get annoying, irritating, or painful?