From: Alan R. Hamm (ahamm@alanhamm.com)
Date: Tue Jun 18 2002 - 17:18:05 CDT
I saw these about 5 weeks ago at REI. I was not really sure what to make of
them or how they work. They are shaped like an oval and I believe that you
wear them in front right over your abdomen. My impression was that this
device was something that transferred some of the load (lateral?) from your
hips and shoulders to your abdomen. In other words, you could loosen up
your shoulder straps a bit and this would keep your pack from falling back.
Obviously there is no way that your stomach could actually take direct
weight off your back but to help triangulate the load, it helps shift it to
your center of gravity.
I may be way off base because all I did was see the package and quickly
looked at the photo of where it was positioned. Then I saw what it cost and
put it back down. I don't remember the price but it just did not seem worth
it since I was buying boots for my son and lots of other gear that same day.
Alan Hamm
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dr. Bob Klein" <drbob@troop111.org>
To: "Multiple recipients of list philmont" <philmont@troop47.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2002 5:27 PM
Subject: Re: [Philmont]: Back balancers
> Never seen one, or even heard of it before, but this sounds somewhat
> similar to the old metal hip-belt wings that came as an optional
> accessory for Jansport packs. In that system, you had two stiff,
> tapered aluminum strips, attached on both sides of the lower frame with
> swivel hinges, that the hip belt bolted onto (metal outside, belt
> inside). When you swung your hip-belt in to buckle it, the metal strips
> followed and held the belt rigorously in place. I used a Jansport so
> equipped on one trip, and it was an extraordinarily effective system,
> really helping to distribute and support a heavy load; however, it was
> also tricky to get the angle of the bend of the metal strips just right
> - curved too tight and they dug into you, curved too far out and they'd
> catch your hands and arms as you swung along while hiking. Plus the
> angles are different for every person, of course, so every one has to be
> carefully customized, and constantly adjusted for growing Scouts. For
> that reason, they were never that popular, and I believe Jansport
> discontinued them about 4 or 5 years ago.
>
> If this is (as I suspect) a similar system, your description of "under
> the waist buckle" sounds like it's inside the belt, which (along with
> the fact that it's made of stiff plastic/foam) may alleviate some of the
> problems with the Jansport system.
>
> My only suggestions are to go to a store that sells them and try one
> out, and talk to the salesperson if he has a clue. If they cost a
> fortune, see if you can't find someone that actually owns and uses one.
>
>
> jpsampson1@mmm.com wrote:
> >
> > Has anyone had any experience with a back balancer? Sold as a pack
> > accessory and worn in front, the back balancer is an "abdominal support
> > system that increases the function of the hip belt by enabling it to act
> > like a back brace" (according to one company who makes them). It is an
> > oval-shaped plastic/foam piece, and fits under the waist buckle on your
> > pack. I've never seen them until recently, but my son thinks they're
cool
> > and wants to get one. I told him he should find out from people who have
> > used them, whether they are worth it. Any suggestions?
>
>
>
>
>
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As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
-------------------------------------------------------
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