new backpack/Laurie

[Xosé Manuel Alvariño]

Hi Laurie,

Am studying backpack related e-mails and yours caught my attention, because I also suffer from lower back pain. A couple of questions regarding backpack for lower back pain martyrs: does your weight/height matter in this type of backpack? What's the max, in pounds, that it'll take?

Thanks,

Xosé Manuel, Miami


In a message dated 4/23/2003 8:32:46 PM Eastern Standard Time, LREYNOLDaLAW.UIUC.EDU writes:

> About a year ago, I was going through the same gear obsessing search.  I had
> walked in 2000 with a big Lowe Alpine internal frame pack (I think the pack
> alone weighs close to 7 pounds!) and was determined to get something lighter
> for 2002.  I investigated the GoLite but found that its light weight was
> mainly due to a total lack of support structure -- it's sort of like a bag
> on straps.  For some people that's fine, but I have lower back strain at
> times, and there is really very little in the structure of the GoLite that
> distributes the weight.  My compromise was the Mountainsmith Ghost, about
> 3100 cubic inches and a little over two pounds.  There's no internal frame,
> but the padded belt, the many straps, and some arc construction around the
> edge of the pack did a great job of transferring the weight to my hips.  I
> had no problems.  I think the GoLite works for many people, but if you have
> a slightly aging back like mine, you might want to do a lot of pre-Camino
> walking to make sure your back can handle it.  Buen camino
> to all the lucky
> peregrinos getting ready to set out.  Laurie