The 'floating' backpack that could ease the burden of travel

[Beam Me Up Scotty]

I did a STF, didn't see this posted yet.

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/hover...index.html

Looks interesting. My first thought would be for hikers planning on completing the Pacific Crest Trail (or other trails like it).

D & C

[Robert M]

Dazed,

I saw a video about the backpack and thought it was a gag. Still question the idea of it. Wouldn't be a fan of a bouncing backpack on my back as I'm walking on a rough road. Don't like it with a regular backpack. With a model designed to move up and down? Seems like it'd only be worse. Seems, of course, is the operative word. It may actually prove beneficial, kinda like installing shocks onto the backpack.

Robert

[Pam]

From my experience when a backpack bounces it's not fitted properly or is the wrong style. The bouncing not only throws off balance but you would feel the load constantly moving. I prefer Osprey's antigravity suspension and adjustable harness systems.

[wave rider]

Interesting concept! Wonder how noisy the mechanism is?

[cbelt3]

I don't think it s a good idea. I would be interested in the long term test results of users. I would expect weird wear on the knees and back, not to mention balance issues.

[Buzz]

Plus it adds two and half pounds to the load... how about a three or four inch anti-gravity brick that provides 50 lbs of up force?
That would be a good addition to the floating backpack.
==

[apocketfulofwry]

Robert M wrote:
Dazed,

I saw a video about the backpack and thought it was a gag. Still question the idea of it. Wouldn't be a fan of a bouncing backpack on my back as I'm walking on a rough road. Don't like it with a regular backpack. With a model designed to move up and down? Seems like it'd only be worse. Seems, of course, is the operative word. It may actually prove beneficial, kinda like installing shocks onto the backpack.

Robert

I only saw the short 'video' on the company's website, but it 'seems' as though the pack doesn't bounce up, and down—the person, in this case, a runner, is doing the bouncing while the pack stays relatively still. I think this pack is trying to mitigate the effects of gravity on the rising, and falling of the pack as you move. In other words, while you're always supporting the weight of the pack, if it's stationary as you rise, you're not lifting the weight up with every step—you're only lifting against the resistance of the mechanism, and as you descend, there is no additional increase from gravity's effect on the weight of the falling load.

[Filliam H. Muffman]

I too would be interested in a long term test to see if it reduces wear and tear on knees/feet/etc., and if it's worth the extra weight.

I am very fast moving over large riprap, but it could throw your balance off if you aren't expecting the slide to hit the end of travel. I can see people eventually getting used to it and learning to adjust so that you step up earlier so the force on the straps gets lighter when you are going up or down stairs/rocks.

[DeusxMac]

Pam wrote:
From my experience when a backpack bounces it's not fitted properly or is the wrong style.

:agree:

Not to mention,

Buzz wrote:
...it adds two and half pounds to the load.

[RAMd®d]

Not enough information.

I'd be open to trying one before forming any kind of opinion.