Petitioner Ex. 1053 Page 1
`
`!
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`!!!! !!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!
`
`Petitioner Ex. 1053 Page 1
`
`

`
`I.-‘:1
`Er‘-
`BACKPACKER-23 OCTOBER 197'? VOL. 5 NO. 5
`
`30- The Wind River MountaineerlPhott:igrapher: Finis Mitchell. At age
`9'5, Finis i‘-'li'ti'lit'i'J‘ has s ent more than 70 years in Wycirnin '5 Wind
`River country. amassed? more than 100,000 photographs of igs moun-
`tains and rivers, and predicts he will he climbing for another 15 years,
`And he is still looking for hiking partners who can keep up with him.
`31: Yosemite Trio: These Men Are Carving Yosemite's Future. Dime
`Simtiier profiles three men who. in the past three years, have pro-
`touncili: influenced the future of reset-nite, which may signal the iti-
`turc -nflall of America's national parks.
`‘-4: Hiking Animal Trails. For the experienced backpacker, there are mil-
`lions of miles of trails through forests and mountains of the United
`States that are used only by the animals that made them. Sam Curtis
`details how to find these trails, where they go and what made them.
`Across Glaciers on Skis. A ten-day ski tour on the Lowell and Kas-
`kawulsh glaciers in Canada's Kluafne National Park. Wm,-rte P. Merry
`tells of crevasses and nitiraines, mountains and grizzlyhbt-ears in this
`shadows of Mount Kennedy in the St. Elias Range.
`53: Cross-Country Skiing Is Better l1'ta.l't_]0_EBil'l_g. Everyone agrees that
`—"'—'..~'s5's'§;'e;i'ttiiii';.» aziiag ts'tIt}1:"iiiit dicilyou item.-"i'i‘ie‘t;'eiiei for your
`respiratory and circulatory systems than swimming, running or skat-
`ing? Norwegian physician Ktrtrre Roiiniit discusses his research which
`proves the superiority of cross-country skiing, and proposes that
`.'\|ti-rwegians are in better shape than American counterparts because of
`the sport.
`55- Snowshoes Are the Best.lt seems as if everybody these days is rushing
`out to buy cross-country skis. Htrnry Ltible, who has traveled Montana
`mountains for more than 30 wintr_'rs, presents the case for snowshoes.
`58- The Pick of the Extended Trek Peeks. The backpacking Linr:-tit has
`spawned a bewildering array of packs. BACKPACKER explains some of the
`teclnnoloigical advaitccs in pack design. tells you what to look for in the
`store, anti rates 35 packs that are large enough to carry your gear on a
`week-tong trek.
`
`Departments
` #H“i _fl
`
`The Nonessential Backpacker
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`Bf:
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`ABC Membership appiied for
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`Backpacker in Microfilm. This publication is available in microfilm. For corn-
`plete information, write; Xerox University Microfilms. 300 North Zeeb Road,
`Ann Arbor‘ Michigan “me; (313) ?m_4mU'
`name is
`The name
`is a regis-Iered "EB namel and use Of
`E-ACKPACKEFI is published bimonthly {February April. .June, august. Uctobef and December} by Eadi-
`§cflI-:et. lnc.1. E: nctjtfaigs Straeieetiieta HI|l:l:. M.‘;(.D1d05o?. %5"f|u$l'iltrE_‘. 19%? by Baflfiadgeagmfirflo w
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`and at additional mailing ntfioes.
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`All editorial communications should be addressed to the Editor, BACKPACKEH Editorial Office. 55 Atianis
`Si. Be-dlord Hills. MY. 1050?. All manuscripts and photographs will be carefully oonsidered. If aoooinpanied
`by an envelope and sttriiciant postage they will be returned if unsuitable for the requirerrienls of this
`magazine while every care is taken, we are not responsible [oi darnacia nr Imi.-1 ti-F ttnsniinitnrl mnlerial.
`T h .1. la
`C: n da-
`
`iiiliilmilliiiiiiilliiiliiiilyiiIIlii53 Page 2
`
`PUBLISHEREEXECUTIVEEDITCIR:
`
`William Kemsley, ]i'.
`CItEATl‘i.'EU'tR£€T-EJit:Rnn Zisrnan
`ED-t't'0R:Anclrea B. Scott
`
`ASSOCIATEEDtTOI1=Consta.nce
`Stallings
`Eouii=MENTEciiToR:Craig Evans
`CCINTIUHUTINCEDITOH5:l_.llL'iI‘tI3l
`
`Atwill, Gary E-raasch, Hasse
`But-tnetle, Kent Dannen, Cliff
`acohson, Wayne P. Met
`, Louis
`]1?'e1-9;; D;g_vid Sumner, W
`Guy Vi.'attgt-man_ Laura Waterman
`AnTAs5oc],q.Ti=_,-Maryfiinne ‘fenoli
`A55'5T*'1NT_'“3'THEPUI”-[5H'5"=
`EH9“ l‘?5'1'“11'9Z'Q‘~1l53_
`PR0DhCTI0N=Juhn 0 Tufils. lo -°-rim‘
`Bwkerlrh
`CONSULTANT5:Dinah Lowell, Martin
`Rmiinskv
`AD-,.tERTi5m.-_;,CathF- 33.,-H115 Fen-One,
`Miiiiiigar. (914) 241-3240; Netti F.iig—
`gang? gig Bu,_»}-,ma3,r_ (2.33) 555-1539;
`M13-i'Wf‘5i» Ch‘-Wk M00Cl1"t’-- i312}
`393'U7945P“Cil‘-CN‘3"'””“'35i» Carri‘?
`Scglin (91431 2*“--3340: Cifl'55l,ll'E’9-it
`Carrie EESH” W143 241'324‘:l'
`BACKPACKERB00K5'lamE5 Barker’
`L951“-l’ “""3h“B“”‘E’
`C0-UN5EL:MuIray Weitrnan
`F[NANCE:Ge-orge G. Lindsey,
`Cnni‘i'tiiler; Junc Heffington
`
`
`
`!!!! !!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!
`
`Sf9.VEr::'!-ihdlihil frflEl;:T:’=Lra” ,fif'r"::'“[E”:f':
`E'1'?':I.E*_
`* ‘D”:]H;""£:M?:;"::P*
`thrtiugh Ttntit.lI.£?l‘1'1‘1I'i'L‘i(*I1tiil‘it’.*iUH ti
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`5lt"*_'{Z. "1 Tflitllfttfttf’ Mead“=1-'5 *5 CW’ Of
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`'
`
`Petitioner Ex. 1053 Page 2
`
`

`
`The Pick of the Extended Trek Packs
`Howlo Pick A Pack
`
`ferried on backs were bundled with curds
`or straps. Different cultures improved on
`this method in different ways.
`In the
`‘West. Swiss Alpiners herding sheep cen-
`turies ago fashioned leather sacks with
`shoulder straps. The shepherds carried a
`be-droll and a few days’ rations in their
`sacks. Military use of bacicsaclts goes back
`further. Roman foot soldiers carried sacks
`
`tilled with supplies and weapons.
`Shoulder sacks belong to the Old
`‘World. Frame packs belong to the New.
`Frame packs came into their own as ex-
`plorers first mapped the North American
`wilderness. Pioneers, miners and trap-
`pers following on the heels of explorers
`carried food.
`tools and goods to trade
`with the Indians across distant stretches
`
`of wilderness. The trappers and miners
`copied the Indians. They strapped lndiari
`packboards to their backs. A packboard
`gave rigidity and control to a load. It also
`allowed goods to be packed vertically.
`which meant that more could be carried
`more easily.
`These pioneers improved on the in-
`dian packboard as the years went by. In
`1886 an inventor named Merriam demon-
`
`strated that the weight of a pack Ptluld be
`carried on the hips instead of the shoul-
`ders. Hc was granted a patent. but his
`load-bearing hip belt did not catch on for
`another ?5 years. The Yukon-style frame,
`so named because of its popularity with
`Alaskan old rushers, did catch on. The
`must wi ely used version of the Yukon
`frame was the Trapper Nelson, the stan-
`dard pack for generations of American
`hikers up to and including this ce1.1lL1ry.lt
`wasn’t until World War 11 that li1eTrapper
`Nelson frame was really supplanted —
`first by the stamped sheet-metal British
`Army Man Pack, and then by welded
`aluminum tubing — what we have today.
`The technological boom in backpacks,
`like the boom in the sport's popularity, is
`still
`incomplete.
`[n the past
`ten years
`more than 3|] new backpack manufactur-
`ers have sprung into existence. Some of
`the manufacturers use conventional con-
`
`struction techniques. Others experiment.
`innovators in park design, construction
`and materials outstrip each other weekly,
`it seems. Recent developrncnts include
`plastic frames.
`tooled alloy castings for
`frame joints and hip belt and shoulder-
`srrap suspension refinements. It makes
`sense to keep basics in mind to prevent
`yourself from getting mesmerized by ac-
`cessories.
`
`The function ol a backpack is to carry
`the gear you need on the trail with
`minimum bother and since your pack is
`your home away froin horne. your Choice
`hen‘ counts. Make it carefully.
`it
`To make a wise choice in a pack,
`helps to know how it is put together.
`
`Below, we discuss a ba.ckpack's compo-
`nents -— frame,
`frame joints, pacl-(hag,
`packbag accessories, suspension system.
`hip belt, safety features and so on. Take
`lbe fine points slowly. After
`absorbing
`this information, you need never be
`intimidated again by anyone talking
`about backpacks, however
`technically.
`Frames.
`
`Your most basic decision: Do you want an
`external frame pack or an internal frame
`pack? External frame packs, basically, are
`for trail hikes.
`
`frame packs are primarily
`Internal
`suited for cross—country ski tours and rock
`climbing.
`The frame transfers the weight of the
`load in the packbag to your body via the
`hip belt, shoulder straps and backhand.
`ideally,
`the frame holds your
`loaded
`pacl-cbag firmly in place and gives it
`shape.
`It suspends the weight of the
`packbag for maximum comfort.
`There are three types ol frames — ex-
`ternal, internal and a combination of the
`two. Theoretically, all
`three types of
`frame will give you a comfortable fit with
`a 40 - pound load,
`External Frames.
`
`These have a basic rectangular shape. The
`packbag attaches to one side. Backhand
`shoulder straps and hip belt attach to the
`other. The frame itselfcanextend above
`or below the packbag. Above the packbag
`you can lash your tent or foam pad to the
`aluminum tubing.Bei-t-are of frames that
`extend high above your head; the frame
`tubing often gets caught in low branches.
`Remember,
`too,
`that
`some packbags
`hawra special
`lower compartment
`for
`your sleeping bag. rather than lrame space
`belov.-' the packbag .
`Frames can be made of molded plastic
`or wood. as well as aluminum tubing. But
`aluminum tubing is by far most common.
`The strength of; tube depends on its
`diameter,
`its wall
`thickness and the
`content of
`the aluminum alloy. Alloy
`content is designated by number — 6061
`and toes are common ones. The alloys
`also have temper ratings - T6 is the
`L'tl-]T‘|t't'It!I]"lt'5l temper rating,
`While most manufacturers weld
`aluminum tubes together, a few bolt them
`together and a
`few use machined or
`cast-metal couplings. All three methods
`held up to our tests. The weakest frame
`ioints were those on which the welds
`were sloppy. These can be visually in-
`spected in the store.
`Beware of sharp tubing bends. Bend-
`ing is different
`from flexing. Bending
`fatigues metal. Fatigued metal eventually
`snaps. Hen: is a simple test to see if the
`frame you're choosing will withstand the
`stress you're going to put onit on the trail.
`
`E-ACKPfiiCKER — 23
`
`Petitioner Ex. 1053 Page 3
`
`EDITOR'S None.
`
`of
`staff
`eqi.ci'priicr1't wrrliratien
`The
`BACKPACKER M:i,gcizirn-l1rrs,u'uslcorirptetsd I:
`thorough e:ram:'m1tr'or.’r of 125 packs. Gener-
`ally, these packs were ciinsiderdbly Belle! alt‘-
`sjgnecl and had 11 higher qualitii of ttt[lflt’l'I'1I'ir1-
`ship and materials than the packs 'l.t't’ have
`rated in years post. Because there are so many
`more packs on the market ltrdity their uiliert ti‘r*
`_fi;:-5} 3-fliyd ,Eh,;=rn_ HIE l'l'.t:l't2|:'
`lmd ff! d£'l'.'IS|ft’
`I1-fl
`pages in our new rtlItfUtwtBACl<PACKINC
`EQUIPMENT B UYl:'tt‘3' G UIDE to t‘iJt3t‘t‘ them
`all‘, Ifir-e There to run the erilire pitclts §ecli'oi-I 1'11‘
`this issue oft? ACKP.-IICKER. there would be no
`room for ttnytllfit
`else. Tlrerrgerr. we have
`selected these pa: s nrhirh are est stifled for
`longer treks and‘. hence. are better for use in
`tiII'ril'er
`tirzclcpirciring. The boot’ will he put!-
`iishedlrrfer this felt by Mtrcrrrilhrii and rr'i.l.l cost
`$3.95.
`
`
`!!!! !!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!
`
`Backpacking is not new. The boom in
`backpacking is. The sport gets more
`popular daily, and as one newcomer after
`another takes to the mountains, the first
`piece of equipment he or she acquires is.
`naturally, a backpack. Popularity has
`bred complexity;
`the prospective buyer
`can get snowed by the multiplicity of
`equipment available. Even an advanced
`backpacker can get overwhelmed by the
`jargon of backpacks, if not by the packs
`themselves. On the following pages we
`discuss the relative merits of eighty-five
`internal and external frame packs suitable
`for extended treks.
`The modern external aluminum frame
`
`backpack has been around for about Iii]
`years. {Both Kelty and Camp Trails are
`reputed to have invented it.]- The internal
`aluminum frame pack is a more recent
`introduction. The principal advantages of
`both frames are their strength and light
`weight. Yciur load is carried high, close to
`your back and near your center ofgrayity,
`so you don’t have to lean far f0TV'\."fiI'(l as
`you walk. Weight is distributed all along
`your back, shoulders and, with the aid of
`a hip belt, your hips.
`There are almost endless variations to
`
`the modern backpack. Packs, like hikers,
`have personalities. Selecting the-right one
`requires choice. Do you want compres-
`sion straps? Do you want a top-loading
`pack or a front-loading one? Do you want
`a metal frame or a plastic one? Do you
`want aninternalframeoranexternalone?
`And so on. Below, we tell you how to pick
`a pack in general. then what to look for in
`design and eunstruction in particular. But
`first, to get the right perspective, a word
`on what backpacks are — something less
`obvious than it may seem.
`What is a backpack? People have car-
`ried loacls on their hacks for millennia—
`transporting goods for trade, construc-
`tion, war and recreation. The first loads
`
`55
`
`Petitioner Ex. 1053 Page 3
`
`

`
`frame does not fit properly or if your hips
`have a pronounced movement, you will
`likely wind up with sore hips. The rigid-
`typc hipwrap also limits your side-to-side
`torso movements, which is important for
`keeping your balance. Backpacking on
`precarious ground could be dangerous.
`Manufacturers continue to improve
`hipwrap frames. Two companies now
`have packs with hip suspensions that fol-
`low your hip and torso movremcntg. in-
`stead of hindering it. These undoubtedly
`are forerunners of other developments
`that seem sure to come.
`0 Figure-mgftt
`frames are the most
`specialized frame designs. Of the three
`we evaluated, one was for general back-
`packing and two for expeditions. The two
`-Fnrcxpcdiliontreks had jointsdcsigned to
`even out
`the paclcs movement as it
`jounccs on your hips.
`One of these expedition pack frames is
`a hybrid S and figure—eight design. A
`plastic swivel joint is attached to the neck
`of the eight in the lower part of the frame.
`It connects the 5 part of the frame to a
`broad aluminum band to which the hip
`belt attaches. The object is to enable the
`hip belt to move in arI._1_..' direction — I:-ack-
`tvard, forward and sideways — indepen-
`dent of the upper frame.
`The other expedition frame was the
`tnost specialized one we saw. It v.'as at
`hybrid hipwrap and figure-eight frame.
`It operated something like the gyroscope
`on J ship's Compass. The frame is jointed
`at
`the neck of the figure eight to give it
`side-to-side movement. The arms of the
`
`hipwrap extend around your hips and
`swing back and forth and up and down at
`the some time. The idea, or course, is to
`give the pack super comfort on longhauls.
`Internal Frames.
`
`F.o:ccnt improvements in internal frame
`construction bridge the gulf beh-veen the
`traditional low-slung ruclcsacks used for
`climbing, skiing and scrambling and the
`external pack frame for backpacking.
`On internal frame packs. the hip belt
`and the lower ends of the shoulder straps
`usually attach to the lower corners or the
`lower center of the packbag;
`the upper
`ends of the shoulder straps to the top
`center of the bag itself. By being close to
`the back. internal frames give good con-
`trol over vour load, permitting you more
`freedom of movement.
`
`The weakest points ofinternal frames
`are the points where the stays hook on to
`the packbag. These points tend to wear
`out, especially those on the bottom, be-
`cause they get the burden of wear when
`you set your pack down on the ground.
`lnspt-ct
`these points carefully. Some
`manufacturers sew double-fabric, 01' even
`leather,
`reinforcement at
`these trouble
`spots.
`lnt2rrta,lfExterna] Frames.
`in-
`A few packs
`are hybrids of
`ts.'.rnal.'external frame design. They are
`intt;-rnal frames at
`the top of the bags.
`which extend out through the bottom of
`the bag 3 or IE} inches. Hip belts attach to
`the extended frame. The shoulder straps
`attach with clc-vis pins to the internal
`tramc section at the top and to the exter-
`nal lower extension below.
`
`Convertible frames.
`Some of the internal frame packs are de-
`signed so that they can also be attached to
`external pack frames. Used by them-
`selves.
`these packs are good for short
`trips. Attached to external frames.
`they
`are good for long trips.
`Packbags.
`Along with the many fabrics to choose
`from, one must also consider the different
`ways of loading the bag, pockets, stitch-
`ing. waterproofing. storm flaps,
`lash
`points and zippers. Generally speaking.
`the more expensive at packbag, the more
`durable the fabric and construction of the
`seams. But, not necessarily so.
`Bags are top—loading or front loading.
`Some also have a second or third zippered
`compartment below. Top-loading bags
`are traditional. They pack easily when the
`pack is standing. Front-loaders pack
`nicely like suitcases when they are lying
`flat. lf you decide on a frunt—loader, make
`sure it has straps running across the drop
`flap or "D” rings to attach accessory
`straps to cinch the load and take the strain
`offthezippers. Alower compartmentona
`pack allows you to separate your gear so
`that small items are easy to get to. ll also
`helps you distribute the load in a pack
`more evenly, with light items on the bot-
`tom and heavy items on the top so the
`pack rides more comfortably.
`Pockets.
`
`Pockets are handy. They save you the
`frustration of digging down into the main
`compartment for things. There are poorly
`clt=3-iigned pockets that bulk out awk-
`wardly to catch on twigs.and pockets so
`small
`that a cup or ro-ll of toilet paper
`won't fit into them. There are packs with
`inside pockets. and other packs with poti-
`ets that detach. Examine the pack pock-
`ets from a convenience point of ‘View.
`Stitching.
`Check. the stitching, both outside and in-
`side the pack. Some manufacturers say
`the thread should be cotton wrap Dacron.
`Others say that the thread should be all
`synthetic. The argument for the cotton
`wrap is that it will swell up when wet and
`help keep rain out. The argument against
`cotton is that it ultimately rots. Are the
`stitches small? ideally there should be
`from 8 to 10 per inch. Arr stitching rows
`Straight? 15 the stitching far enough in
`from the edges of the fabric? Check par-
`ticularly at the pack bottom and pocket
`seams. We have seen packs with stitching
`running off the edge of the pockets or
`pack bottom that came apart on their first
`day's use on the trail.
`Reinforcing.
`Look at how the bag attaches to the frame.
`Inspect the zipper ends. Inspect the cor-
`ners of all flaps. Better packs will have
`reinforcing material and extra stitching at
`stress points.
`Waterproofing.
`Mo-st packbags on the market are water-
`proofed with coated fabric. "Waterproof-
`ing" means the pack will probably keep
`your equipment dry in a light drizzle but
`not in a sustained downpour. A surer way
`of keeping your gear dry in inclement
`weather is to pack it in plastic bags before
`loading your pack, or use a pack rain
`
`"39
`Petitioner Ex. 1os3 Page 4
`
`‘l'he toughest stress a frame has to
`meet is the diagonal pressure put on it
`when you set your pack down on one leg.
`So. to test. put one leg of the frame on the
`store floor, then lean on it. increase the
`pressure until you get some idea of how
`much it will take. Generally. any frame
`made by a reputable manufacturer will be
`more than strong enough for most back-
`packing. Use good judgment here. No
`pack will withstand too much of this type
`pressure. 50. you may end up paying fora
`pack you can't use.
`Plastic used in frames is blended simi-
`
`larly to aluminum alloys. Plastic poly-
`mers. like aluminum alloys. can be varied
`for different resulting properties.
`Wood, on the other hand, is not malle-
`able. The proper ratio of flex and rigidity
`in a frame is obtained by gluing plies
`of wood together. Wood plies are more
`durable than solid wood stock. They flex
`and don't snap as easily.
`Frame Shape.
`External frames come in several shapes -
`the straight
`ladder,
`the S-ladder (con-
`tour),
`the hipwrap and the figure eight.
`I Straight
`ladrl'r'r
`frames are basic and
`sturdy. By straight ladder we mean that
`the side members are straight vertically.
`They're found on all lower priced packs.
`The straight ladder frame looks like its
`name — two vertical sides held together
`by three horizontal pieces. The disadvan-
`tages of ladder frames is that they're not
`well arlaptcd to the curve of your spine.
`They increase the weight pulling; back-
`ward on a hilu'r’s shoulders. which is
`
`!!!! !!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!
`
`pulling the load away from the center of
`gramty.
`_
`I The S-ladder frame is a big step up from
`the straight ladder frame. Its vertical sides
`are bent to roughly follow the curve of
`your spine. This allows a closer fit be-
`tween pack and body.
`an Hipu‘r.d'p frnnres are the most controver-
`sial external frames. Wra p-around pro-
`ponents claim that hip-hugging framr-s
`float on your back and mark the greatest
`advance in backpacking cornfort since the
`Trapper Nelson. Those on the other side
`of the issue argue that hipwrap frames are
`at best overly gimmicky and at worst nul-
`right dangerous in some common trail
`situations.
`
`The distinctive feature of hipwrap
`frames is that the lower frame sides ex-
`tend from 4 to ? inches forward around
`
`each side of your hips. A wide hip belt
`attaches to the frame at these points and
`buckles around your hips. The forward
`lramc—ttJ—belt construction is supposed to
`distribute the weight of your load more
`evenly than when hip beltsareattachcd at
`the rear of other style frames. Proponents
`of these frames claim that they can make
`carrying a load substantially easier. par-
`ticularly for people whoare not in the best
`physical condition for backpacking.
`There arc, however, several disadvan-
`tages to hipwrap frames. First. they don’t
`fit everyone.
`If,
`for Example, you have
`narrow hips, a. hipwrap may not stay up
`around your hips. Dr, while you are
`standing still. a rigid hipwrap frame may
`distribute a load beautifully, but when
`walking, your hips rise and fall and if the
`
`Petitioner Ex. 1053 Page 4
`
`

`
`and to keep the frame— external or inter-
`nal — away from your body for ventila-
`tion. There are three types;
`the mesh
`backhand, the plain nylon fahricband and
`the padded band. Try on loaded packs
`with each type of backband to see how
`they feel on you.
`Hip belts.
`Hip belts are more cnrnfortable when
`padded. Some are made with one con-
`tinuous strap. others are made with two,
`each attaching to one side of the frame.
`Some backpackers find that rwn-piece
`belts hold the pack frame clamped too
`tightly against
`their backs. The single
`piece belt, on the other hand. permits the
`frame to "float" on your hips. U-ther
`backpackers find the one-piece belt gives
`them a feeling that
`their
`load moves
`around toomuch on their backs. But then.
`some ofthe bestpacks onthe marketcome
`with two-piece belts. So don't let the belt
`be your main criterion ofsclccticiulf you
`decide upon a pack that fits all your needs
`but has a two—piece bell and you'd rather
`haveaone-pic-cebelt. you can always buy
`a one-piece belt sepa rarely and attach it to
`the frame.
`Quick-Release Buckles.
`A safe pack is basically a pack you can
`jettison it you take a fall. Quick-release
`buckles enable you to get out ofyour pack
`rapidly in those circumstances.
`Special Features.
`You should be aware of the great variety
`of extras available — zip-out dividers.
`camera rings. frame extensions and soon.
`The rule of thumb is: Extras are nice, but
`don’t let them become the basis of your
`selection.
`Final Considerations.
`
`l-‘Whatever pack you buy you ought to ex-
`pect a certain minimal performance from
`it.
`0 ltttuglrl to last. The two things that make
`a pack last are good materials and good
`workmanship.
`Check the pack fabric, shoulder and
`hip belt padding, zippers and lra me metal
`for quality. Compare one pack with
`another.
`
`the worknianship in seams
`Look at
`and welds. h-take sure that the packbag is
`well stitched and reinforced at stress
`points. such as the seam between the
`pocket and bag and the reinforcing at the
`ends of the zippers.
`I It ought
`to be coin nrtirtale. You want a
`pack that fits. Which means one that al-
`lows motion of your body as you hike and
`good weight clistributinn on the hips and
`shoulders.
`
`Fitting .3 pack takes time. A pack is
`almost as personal as a pair of htiots.
`Some packs are made in sizes and their
`manufacturers publish tables telling you
`to measure your spine from one skeletal
`point to another. What it boils down to is
`this: Only a small part of
`the packs
`weight should rest on your shoulders;
`when the hiphelt is snug where you want
`it,
`the shoulder straps should be high
`enough so that you can drop a shoulder
`u,-ithout
`the pack swinging off. But the
`shoulder straps should not be too high.
`They should rest cnnifortably on your
`shoulders with the hip belt fastened.
`But to be sure, you should try on the
`pack in the store with the bag loaded to
`capacity. Too many first-time l‘IikI.‘1‘S try
`on empty packs with too little weight or
`with it poorly pnsititinecl. They buy the
`pack, load it up and three miles out on the
`trail find out that it it's a rnedieval torture
`rack. Most backpacking stores have sand-
`bags to help customers get an accurate
`idea about how the packs
`feel when
`they're loaded.
`Read the infurmatitili in this section on
`design and construction of backpacks; use
`1'tIi_}r buying your pack. Then put it out of
`your niincl. Too many beginning hikers‘-
`become slaves to trade names and jargon.
`Trust your instincts.
`Shop the way your grandmother did
`— look around, compare brands and
`prim.-5-. and try on everything.
`If you're
`beginning. try to arrange to rent the pack
`you're considering buying. The rnonient
`of truth for a backpack L‘llJl‘H not come in
`the store. but usually sometime during
`the third hour of uphill slugging.
`
`llow'l'lio Paeltsworoltated
`Probably the single most important requirement in a pack that
`will be used for longer treks is a sufficient gear-carrying capacity.
`We setarbitrary guidelines of2.5DO cubic inches main bag volume
`for frame packs and 3,000 cubic inches for internal frame parks as
`the minimum capacities necessary for a week's trek. W'e sorted
`out packs on the market that fit these guidelines, and were sur-
`prised to find that B5 of them met these requirements.
`At least four members of our equipment evaluation staff ex-
`amined each pack and rated it on a scale ol 1 to 5 for each of 20
`different criteria. We weighted the the criteria and arrived at an
`overall opinion oteach pack’s comparative quality. We-also asked
`each evaluator to give a separate opinion as to the pack's suitabil-
`ity for extended treks. There were some considerable differences
`among our evaluators, mostly reflecting their own particular
`preferences. On balance. though these differences evened outin
`the overall score. Where there was substantial disagreement, we
`took the packs out on the trail for a more critical evaluation.
`Since there were so many packs in this evaluation. there was
`only enough room for photos and full descriptions of fifteen of
`them — the ones which received the highest ratings for their
`
`usefulness on extended treks. The ratings for all 35. however,
`are listed on the specifications charts. ‘Ne rated them in three
`ways‘. on their overall quality: their suitability for extended treks;
`and on their value for the money.
`In using this information. we suggest you consider a couple of
`important points: ll Are your trips niostly lung ones or do you
`make a lot of three and four day trips? 2] Will this be your only
`pack or will you also own a pack for shorter trips? We strongly
`advise that you use our evaluations mainly as guidelines that
`point out considerations which you may not have thought about
`before. In the final analysis, decide for yourself what you want
`your pack to do foryclu. Is it to be used exclusively for long treks?
`Do you want it to be useful for hiking and climbing on snovi-‘fields
`and glaciers as i-cell? ‘Will it also have to s.t,=r1.'e you for your three
`clay weekend trips? lt’s best to buy the pack that will meet most of
`your present needs rather than only a few of them.
`The complete descriptions of all the packs rated here are in-
`cluded in a -ll}-page section of our new book. BACI-CPaI:'.KtNI:.:
`F.QL.'ll"MENT BUYERS’GUIDE.W'hlCh1¥'lllb'lil'Pl.l.bIif'ihEd bylvtacmillan
`late this fall. There are a total tif12E packs listed in the book along
`with photos and evaluations of their suitability for general back-
`packing. extended treks and week end trips.
`
`
`BaCKP.=iC'Kl-IR
`
`- 23
`
`Petitioner Ex. 1053 Page 5
`
`cover. which fits over the outside of your
`pack, or both.
`Storm flaps.
`lt’s important to get a pack with a large
`top flap, one large enough to cover your
`pack even when it's stuffed to the limits.
`Zippers are best covered with weather
`flaps.
`Lash points.
`Much has been made recently of side
`poc kets with buil t-in sleeves to carry skis.
`tripods, tent poles or fishing gear. If you
`carry these cumbersome items, this acces-
`sory is dandy.
`Depending on the kind of hiking
`you're into, other lash points may be use-
`ful. Ice axe, crampons, snowshoes and
`other special equipment travel best when
`lashed against the outside of your pack.
`Zippers.
`.-‘t. broken zipper can ruin a trip. Most
`packs in our evaluation had decent zip-
`pers. It is argued among some that metal
`zippers ice up in winter. But many of our
`evaluators spend considerable time
`winter trekking with packs with metal
`zippers withuutproblems. Check how the
`zipper has been stitched into the bag.
`Stitches should be straight and evenly
`spaced.
`Suspension systems.
`How your pack hangs on you depends on
`its shoulder straps. backbands and hip
`bt.-lt. These are the most temperamental
`parts ofany pa ck. They're also the parts of
`a pack guaranteed to give you the most
`grief if they're not functioning as they
`should
`
`Shoulder straps.
`Shoulder straps should be padded with
`firm material and be wide enough to carry
`your load comfortably. They should be
`adiustable for
`length. Watch out. on
`cheaper packs, for shoulder straps con-
`structed nf a slippery nylon belting —
`these tend to slip through the buckle fas-
`tening at
`just
`the wrong times when
`you're carrying a heavy load.
`Barkbands.
`Backbands are used to distribute the
`
`weight of the pack evenly over your back
`
`!!!! !!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!
`
`Petitioner Ex. 1053 Page 5
`
`

`
`vided with the pack.
`
`Alpenlite
`Paczip
`*# i it 'k.I-I-‘in-‘Cit-'1-rali
`‘H i 1' i Extended 1'n:|~
`
`This pack is Alpenlitifs hip-
`wrap lront—loaLlt-r. The an-
`odized aluminum frame has
`double-wall
`thickness at
`the
`
`top-
`oxford pacltbag has a
`luadirtg upper compartment
`with a hold-open bar. Thu.-
`Iower compartment opens
`with a semicircular,
`two-way
`
`.j-fi__
`
`
`
`in sin
`
`for
`bends
`added
`strength.
`l"a-cidecl shoulder
`straps are adjustable for
`height and Wldtl'I.' the hip belt.
`secured by -1
`tguici<—re-lease
`buckle, can be moved up and
`down or laterally’. The nylon
`mesh backhand is
`11
`inches
`
`wide. The single compartrnent
`of the coated Cordura nj.'lcrn
`bag opens with at
`senti-
`circular,
`two—w.a].! nylon coil
`zipper covered by a weather
`flap with a cord locked -:lraw-
`string. One bar holds the pack
`open at the top; a second bar
`.-aupports a ht1rizonta]Ctirdura.
`shell which divides the com-
`partment
`into upper and
`lower sections. This shelffolds
`out of
`the way to: unob-
`structed access to the entire
`main compartment. On each
`Side are two pockets,
`the
`upper one with a top zipper
`and the lower one with a lront
`zipper. The top pocket on each
`side also has leather lash
`
`points. A large pocket on the
`front flap opens across the top
`with a one-wa}; nyl on call zip-
`P-i:‘l'.
`
`Eddie Bauer
`Loadmaster
`****wWl\.Ju"1alL
`i’ * * *l".I.lt-iliietl
`trel-
`
`The aluminum hipwrap frame
`of the Loadrnaster stands by
`itself. and the packhag is
`loaded with pockets. The
`onr--pit;-re hip hell can be ad-
`justed for height and the
`shoulder straps. for width. The
`I..-ight-inch backhand is nyltiri
`mesh. The waterproof nylon
`
` quit!’
`
`nylon coil zipper. There are
`two pockets on the cordlocked
`storm flap and one on the front
`of
`the bag. One side has a
`single long pocket; the other
`hastwo smaller ones. On each
`
`side, behind these pockets. is
`a
`sleeve ccwerect with a
`
`weather flap lor storing long
`Libjects. A map poclcet, closed
`with a weather flap.
`is be-
`tween your shoulders. All
`zippered pockets have one-
`way nylon coil zippers along
`one side; the side pockets zip
`vertically, the rest zip horizon-
`tally’. Leather lash points, a
`crampon patch,
`ice axe loop
`and sleeping bag straps are
`provictecl.
`
`Coleman
`Peak 1 ?'Ft}
`* iv * -rpigfl Lhrerall
`flit-flEiiIei1dedTn-ik
`Cc-le-man's irirtovatiort is their
`one-piece