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

Wed Sep 14 18:04:54 UTC 2011

Here is another description of the back pack.  Not sure if I already sent it.

Terry P.

-----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

_______________________________________________
nfb-talk mailing list
nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nfb-talk:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org/terry.powers%40nih.gov