Vest Style Backpack Straps vs Conventional Backpack Shoulder Straps

Backpacks with vest-style shoulder straps, inspired by the trail running community, are increasingly popular. Vest-style backpack straps work best on lower-volume backpacks with a maximum of 40L of volume and maximum recommended loads under 25 pounds. This is because the pack weight sits higher up on your torso – your chest, shoulders, and upper back instead of the more powerful muscles of your hips. That’s also why many packs with vest-style shoulder straps don’t have hip belts or the ones they do have aren’t load-bearing.

Here’s a breakdown of vest-style straps compared to conventional backpack straps:

Vest-Style Shoulder Straps

• Design: Wide, often made of breathable, stretchy material. They wrap around the torso like a vest.
• Benefits:
  • Stability: Snug fit minimizes bouncing, ideal for high-movement activities like running or biking.
  • Balance: Distributes load across the front and back of the body.
  • Momentum: Front weight helps generate forward momentum, good for running.
  • Comfort: Distributes weight evenly across shoulders and chest, reducing pressure points.
  • Accessibility: Easier access to gear stored in front pockets on the vest itself.
• Drawbacks:
  • Capacity: Typically designed for lighter loads, not ideal for multi-day adventures.
  • Ventilation: Can trap heat against your back, especially in warm weather.
  • Adjustability: May offer less adjustability compared to traditional straps or backpacks with adjustable torso lengths. Since vest-style packs are usually frameless, they lack load lifters.

Conventional Backpack Shoulder Straps

• Design: Padded straps with adjustable buckles and sternum straps. J-shaped straps are designed for use by men. S-shaped straps are better for women because they curve around breasts, but are also comfortable for men. Some companies like ULA Equipment offer the choice of J or S-shaped shoulder straps on their semi-custom packs.
• Benefits:
  • Capacity: Can handle heavier loads due to weight transfer to hips through a hip belt when the backpack has a frame.
  • Ventilation: Mesh padding allows for better airflow.
  • Adjustability: More straps and buckles for a customized fit. In particular, shoulder straps with load lifters can be used to bring the main compartment closer to your core muscles.
• Drawbacks:
  • Stability: Can bounce more during high-movement activities.
  • Comfort: May dig into shoulders with heavy loads.
  • Accessibility: Gear stored in the main compartment may be harder to reach.

Popular Vest Style Backpacks

Choosing Between Them:

• Activity: Vest-style chest and shoulder straps excel in running, biking, and fast-paced activities. Conventional backpack shoulder straps are better for hiking, backpacking, and carrying heavier loads.
• Comfort: Vest-style straps are great for lighter loads, while conventional backpack straps are better for heavier loads with proper adjustment.
• Climate: Consider ventilation if you tend to get hot easily. Conventional straps may be cooler.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs, preferences, and fit.

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