[Nfb-krafters-korner] FW: [nfb-talk] Backpack alternative at convention

Mon Aug 1 17:52:25 UTC 2011

It is Terry,  He did not mention the inside pockets that are very large
thirteen by seven.  Also you can put a small water bottle in the pack as I
have a six or possibly eight ounce water bottle in mine. I found one for a
kid that is taller.  Perfect for a drink for me and for my guide dog.  In
the left pocket I have a gallon sized bag with crocheting I am doing.  I am
making a lacy like sweater. I have not worn it out yet, just around the
house as I just want to be sure the straps are right for easy movement and
comfort. So far so good, smile.

Becky and Jake 

-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Powers, Terry
(NIH/OD/DEAS) [E]
Sent: Monday, August 01, 2011 7:16 AM
To: 'List for blind crafters and artists'
Subject: [Nfb-krafters-korner] FW: [nfb-talk] Backpack alternative at
convention

Is this the same back pack, Becky?

Terry Powers

-----Original Message-----
From: T. Joseph Carter [mailto:carter.tjoseph at gmail.com] 
Sent: Saturday, June 04, 2011 5:56 PM
To: NFB Talk Mailing List
Subject: [nfb-talk] Backpack alternative at convention

Hey everyone,

I have been playing with a very cool "backpack alternative" for about two
weeks now.  If you carry too much stuff with you and are coming to National
Convention, I'd be happy to show it to you!

As probably most of you who know me are already aware, I tend to carry
everything but the kitchen sink around with me.  My girlfriend has even
threatened to buy me a folding camping sink so that the next time someone
asks if I have it, I can respond with, "Actually..." and pull the thing out!
It would be SO worth it.  *grin*

Anyway, there are two problems with a backpack: You can't get at anything in
them without stopping to take it off first, and of course a heavy backpack
is literally a pain to wear.  A sling or messenger bag makes the first
problem easier, but makes the second problem much worse.

That's where this ingenious device comes in.  It's called a BackTPack (that
should be read "Back Tee Pack" if your screen reader of choice mangles it.)
The company's website is: http://www.backtpack.com/ and the product doesn't
cost significantly more than any quality backpack would, making it very much
worth a look!

The design of the BackTPack is a bit unusual, but completely logical.  
Essentially it takes your backpack and splits the bag portion in half to
make two (relatively) thinner bags.  Then it slides these down the straps so
they hang more like messenger bags, one on each side.  The place where the
bag was becomes just a small, flat piece to hold it all together and attach
the backpack straps.  Like nicer backpacks it has a sternum strap to keep
the BackTPack sitting properly on your shoulders.  It's way less complicated
than it sounds, I promise.

The idea behind this arrangement is that it balances the load and places it
vertically on your spine, which is the part of your body that is intended to
support that kind of weight.  It was designed by a physical therapist who
saw one too many school kids hunched over carrying the weight of school
books.  Even a moderately heavy backpack pretty much ensures bad posture and
eventually back pain.

With the BackTPack, you aren't hunched over or pulled backward or off to
either side.  This consequently makes it easier to wear for a longer period
of time, and the whole thing feels lighter than my backpack for the same
contents.

If you're wondering if the BackTPack would interfere with using a cane, it
doesn't in my experience.  I cannot wear messenger and laptop bags on my
left side because they interfere with movement of my cane-using arm, but I
do not have that problem with the BackTPack at all.  The BackTPack website
talks about how useful it is when using a service animal, but it's just as
useful for a cane user and for the same reason: One of our hands is occupied
pretty much all the time!

Of course a pack is only as good as what it will let you carry.  The size of
the bags on the BackTPack vary slightly based on which of the three models
you're using, but the smallest size is 13 inches square by 3 inches wide.
The medium/large model 3 is 14 inches by 13 inches by 3.5 inches.  The bags
are soft, so they can fit items that are a little bigger in one of these
dimensions, but you're not going to cram a 17 inch MacBook Pro into it.  The
larger model 3 will hold about a 15.4 inch laptop.  It easily swallows
netbooks, note takers, iPads with folio cases, etc.

If you look into one of the bags, there are pockets about the size of a pen
pouch you'd put into a three ring binder.  On the wall toward your body, the
pocket has a zippered top.  On opposite wall, the pocket is sewn into a few
pen holders and pocket about four inches wide.  The model 2 and 3 bags have
a mesh bottle holder pocket as well intended for 16-20 ounce bottles.  A
Camelbak 25 ounce bottle fits, barely, but the large 32 ounce Nalgene
bottles are too wide for the mesh pockets.  The other bag mirrors all of the
above, and adds a strap with a keyring clip toward the front.

Outside, there are two pockets in the front that will hold a cell phone
(including larger phones like the iPhone or Blackberry), glasses, or
whatever you need.  On the outside of each bag is a pocket big enough to
carry a men's wallet (which is not what I'd suggest putting there, of
course!).  On one side, this small pocket has a mesh window for a bus pass
or ID badge, should you need one of those.

There are two other features which might be really nice, depending on your
circumstances.  First, if you're going to sit down in chair that has no
armrests, a bench, or a seat on a bus that's wide enough, there is no need
to take a BackTPack off.  There's a strap that hangs down in front on each
side called a sit strap.  Buckle it and have a seat!  All of the weight is
taken completely off your shoulders by the sit strap.  Plus you know how
much space you occupy, so you're unlikely to turn and smack someone with
with your backpack.

The other feature is a set of elastic loops on the inside of the bag
intended for a hip belt, should you desire one.  You might find this useful
for longer trips.

And speaking of elastic, purely as an attention to detail matter, all of the
straps have elastic keepers to hold the excess strap so it isn't flopping
about or getting tangled.

If you'd like to see my BackTPack in person, just let me know!  I will be
attending the whole Convention.  I am staying in the overflow hotel, but I
literally take the BackTPack with me everywhere.  Just reply off-list to
this email or give me a call at 503-610-8709 and we can arrange a time and
place.  (I'm still going through the agenda trying to determine where all I
will be and when, and I'll bet I am not alone in that regard!)

And yes, I AM going to be there this year-my state president tells me I am
not allowed to suddenly find any scary medical problems that keep me from
going.  If I find another tumor or something, I won't have to worry about
it, because Art is likely to kill me first.  
*grin*  That is assuming of course a few others who have said similar things
don't beat him to it.  (It's good to know I'm loved, hehe!)

See you all there,

Joseph

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