Attention Hikers and Backpackers

Those of you who regularly wear a backpack: please recommend a product or strategy to help me deal with the pressure of the backpack strap against my pacemaker site.
Thank you for your suggestions!

8 Comments

varies

by Tracey_E - 2013-02-27 08:02:00

Do you mean a big pack like for camping or a hydration pack? We're all built differently and our placements are different so the best thing to do is try some different ones and see how they fit. I like the ones that have the extra strap across the chest so I can control where the straps go over my shoulder and keep them from moving around.

backpacker pressure

by pdow - 2013-02-27 09:02:00

Somewhere on this site there is a place where you can get some sort of cup to put over your PM. Found one to use for seat belts. Never got one though, so don't know first hand how it is. Look into that site w/a search or do it from a search engine.

I found PaceGuard!

by joanie - 2013-02-27 11:02:08

Thank you for your suggestions. I found a post from about 2 years ago about a product called PaceGuard (www.paceguard.com) that looks really good. It's kinda expensive, but it looks durable and protective. I'm going to get one and give it a try.

PaceGuard

by Tracey_E - 2013-02-28 08:02:31

They have an excellent reputation! I haven't heard of anyone here who got one and wasn't pleased. I saw them in person, they're very well made. But I don't know if it will stay in place under a heavy backpack, it's more intended for impact sports. If you email them, they will answer. The owner is a member here but haven't seen her around in a while.

REI

by paceman82203 - 2013-03-04 09:03:01

Not sure if you have been to REI but I bet if you get the right staff person they could get you in touch with a backpack rep who might be able to work with you and with your particular manufacturer to move the streps a bit - just an idea.

Thank you for your suggestions!

by joanie - 2013-03-06 09:03:27

Thank you all for these helpful comments. I try to go "ultralight" as best I can, but over a period of hours and days, the strap on the left side becomes uncomfortable. I will be going on a trek in the Andes in a couple of months, and thankfully I will have the help of a porter to carry the heavier items. But I really do like hearing from all of you pacers who hike and backpack, and learning from your experiences.

Tighten the hip belt

by jdpacer - 2013-05-26 09:05:33

I have been rock climbing (which involves hiking with heavy packs) with a pacer for 20 years. The only solution I have found is to cinch down the hip belt very tight so that all of the weight is carried on your hips. I keep the shoulder straps very loose - usually with a 1-2 inch gap between the strap and my shoulder/chest.

When I look for new packs one of the main features I look for is a good hip belt.

Good luck and keep getting out there.

- J

Mission accomplished!

by joanie - 2013-05-30 06:05:00

Just returned from a 4 day/3 night trek in the Andes, and my backpack was no problem. I had a good hip belt and that made all the difference.

The one variable I could not control for was the effect on my heart/lungs of hiking at high altitude. We were up above 12,000 feet for most of the trek, and parts were as high as 15,000+ feet. I had to climb slowly, breathe slowly and deeply through my nose, and exhale forcefully through my mouth in order to cope with the altitude. This helped me cover the distance without needing to use an oxygen tank. Also, I did what the Native Qechua people have been doing for centuries: I drank lots of coca tea. A natural remedy that really helped with the "soroche" (altitude sickness).

If you are interested in doing this trek, I recommend contacting SAS Travel Peru in Cusco, Peru. This was their Lares Trek & Machu Picchu package. Indescribably gorgeous scenery, and professional guides and porters of the highest integrity.


--Joanie

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