8
Packing For Comfort
To obtain the greatest possible comfort from your ArcLight™ pack, you
must load it properly.
The fundamental principle is that a thin, flat load, as viewed from the side,
carries better than a fat, cylindrical load. Carrying a thin load lets you walk com-
fortably upright instead of leaning forward in a constant battle against a pack
that’s trying to pull you over backwards. Follow these suggestions to keep the load
thin and your pack riding comfortably.
1.
Before you start loading the pack, be sure all compression straps are loose. Pull out
the internal load-control strap and thread the yellow buckle through the top loop of
the daisy chain.
This keeps the buckle from getting tangled in the load as you pack.
2.
Place the lightest and bulkiest items in the bottom third of the pack bag, the
heaviest, most dense items in the middle third as close to your back as possible
and medium-weight items in the upper third. This weight distribution will give you
a balanced, comfortable ride.
3.
Women have a lower center of mass than men. As a result, some women prefer to pack
the heaviest items a little lower than men. Experiment to see what works best for you.
4.
(See illustration)
Always pack your sleeping bag at the very bottom. If your pack
has a sleeping-bag compartment, you can either stuff the sleeping bag into the
compartment without its stuff sack to save weight, or you can use the stuff sack
for extra moisture protection. If you use a stuff sack, fill out the corners of the
sleeping-bag compartment
with small items such as
socks and underwear so you
use the compartment’s vol-
ume with maximum effi-
ciency.
5.
(See illustration)
(a) Load
food and other heavy items,
such as extra water or climb-
ing hardware, above the
sleeping-bag compartment
and as close to your back as
possible. The framesheet will
keep sharp objects from jab-
bing you in the back. (b) Sur-
round these heavy items with
clothing. This helps insulate
the food as well as insuring
that the heavy items remain
close to your back.
6.
(See illustration)
Put your
stove and cookset in the up-
per area of the main compartment. Surround it with lightweight items that you
might need quickly, such as a PackFly™, rainwear, or a fleece jacket.
