[pct-l] packs: comfort vs weight: Why packs work, Part 2

[Carl Siechert" <carl@pct77.org (Carl Siechert)]

From: <Bighummel@aol.com>

> My Kelty Tioga has a top U shaped bar that attaches to the vertical stays
and
> acts a bit like a top handle on the pack but also allows me to attach tent
or
> any other equipment to the very top of the pack.  This bar bugged me
because

Right: that ain't a handle. Tom nailed it; it's for lashing heavy items
(e.g., our 12-pound REI Grand Hotel 4-man tent) high and forward.

> You are right.  The Kelty Tioga rides very high on the shoulders.  I found

With Kelty external frame packs, your shoulders should be even with the
shoulder-strap attachments on the frame. IOW, the shoulder straps should
come up over your shoulder and then go level to the pack. Too many people
have the pack fitted so that the straps drop down behind your
shoulders...and that ends up with the weight distributed improperly.