Knapsacks & Blanket Rolls Redeux

[GrumpyDave]

Re: Knapsack Comfort

The only way I've found to make a knapsack comfortable is to leave it at home and wear a blanket roll. :wink_smil

[tmdreb]

Re: Knapsack Comfort

Perhaps letting the straps out all the way isn't the answer. I've found that mine (Mex War pattern) rides better and more comfortably when it's hiked up more. I try to keep the top of the knapsack as even as I can with my shoulders. I'm close to your physical dimensions as well. Try it, perhaps it'll work for you.

[James Masson]

Re: Knapsack Comfort

Pards, Thanks for all the advise. I take the blanket roll straps and run them through the shoulder straps to keep the blanket roll close to my body. The shoulder straps are let out to the last adjustment hole. I guess I carry around 30 pounds when I'm on a march. Thanks again.

Don't but the blanket roll on the top. Fold up the blanket and put it in one of the pockets or between the two pockets. Also, try cutting down the weight you carry...30 lbs. is a little heavy. Just my .02.

[Kykeydet12]

Re: Knapsack Comfort

sir;
as said duly before letting the straps out will only cause the shoulders to be fatigued becasue the equiptment is bieng pulled down more than if they are fitted. they is a great problem faced by many a boy scout as we go backpacking.
the trick stated earlier with the stick through the blanket roll or blanket straps hooking on it is used because the stick pulls the straps up and it is held on lower on the body then with out . for instance on most modern backpack's, on the top of the strap, you'll find an adjustible strap that will pull the strap up or let it go down lower this is the same principle . instead of bieng held on by the top of the shoulder it is held on by the front part of the shoulder. I'm not sure if this helps , if I find anymore info in backpacker magazine I'll get it on here.

[flattop32355]

Re: Knapsack Comfort

Pards,
Can someone tell me how to make my knapsack more comfortable. I'm 6'1" and weight 210lbs, and wear a size 46 jacket. The problem is the sholder straps cuts into me after a short period of time. I've ck. the search menu and could not find any info on this. Thanks in advance.

Another possibility, if they will reach that far, is to run the "crossing straps" down to your belt and hook them there, rather than across your chest. That was the original intent for them, but the belts with appropriate holes/connectors were never issued. It can help keep the knapsack pulled more forward and high and has the added advantage of keeping your belt up higher. Just depends on how long your torso is.

[Fod]

Re: Knapsack Comfort

30 pounds? Might be time to reconsider what you're packing.
My knapsack holds:

1 Blanket
1 gum blanket
1 shelter half
1 pr socks
1 shirt
1 sleeping hat
1 toothbrush
1 piece soap
1 small huck towel

I doubt it weighs more than 12 pounds, and I consider everything after the first 4 or 5 items as optional. I the winter I'll use a heavier blanket and might consider an overcoat but still that's all well under 20 pounds. The only other things I might put in there are extra rounds (if I ever go back to infantry ;) ), a writing set, a change of drawers, more socks on a march, and a housewife. What else could you possibly need?

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Knapsack Comfort

Hallo Kameraden!

"but the belts with appropriate holes/connectors were never issued."

Just a brief minor point of clarification... not "never" but rather on a "limited" basis.
The sliding brass keepers for the knapsack hooks appeared on the 1855 "rifleman's belt."

Curt-Heinrich Schmidt

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Knapsack Comfort

Contents of my pack are:

1 Big heavy copy of the 1851 Köjhusmuseet blanket
1 Shelter Half
1 Rubber Blanket
1 Sewingkit
1 Extra Pair of Socks
1 Extra Army Shirt
1 Pipe
1 Bag of tobacco
1 Towel
1 Bar of Soap.
1 Gun Rag
1 Tin of Flour of Emory

Total weight 16.25 Lbs.

[marine05]

Re: Knapsack Comfort

Part of the problem is that the pack straps are narrow. When I enlisted in the Marine Corps we used the M1941 pack system, the same one you see in the WWII movies. The straps were about 1.25 inches wide and would cut with any about of weight. Having looked at the CW straps they would have the same problem. If you noticed today's military and civilian packs have much wider straps and the weight is better distributed. Another problem is that many people tend to wear a pack too low, pulling down on the shoulders and making the wearer arch their back, causing back pain.

The suggestions offered here are terrific. Wear your pack high and tight. After the first ten minutes of a march, adjust your gear, anything that is uncomfortable will appear by then. Adjust your gear, at the next rest stop, repack if necessary so that all the heavy items are at the bottom and not pulling back from the top of the pack. Packs are never very comfortable over all, after the first 100 miles or so you just kind of get used to the pain and shut it out.

Happy humping,

DJM

[BrianHicks]

Re: Knapsack Comfort

Knapsack and Comfort?!?!? Isn't that an oxymoron? :sarcastic

30 pounds? This past winter when I packed two blankets, gum blanket, groundcloth, extra shirt, extra socks and other minor sundres, the weight only came up to 23 pounds.

[markmason]

Re: Knapsack Comfort

Learn to deal with the discomforts.

My knapsack carries everything I need to sustain life.

1. Blanket
2. Shelter
3 1 pr socks
4. deck of cards
5. mirror ( not sure why)
6. chew
7. mending kit
8. dime novel (never read)
9. pipe (chew is easier)
10. licorice pipe candy (thanks Matt Woodburn)

total wieght = 8lbs

Carried easily at Pickett's Mill

[OleMissRebel]

Re: Knapsack Comfort

I'm 6'2, 200 pounds and used to have discomfort wearing one until I, this sounds crazy, made the straps extremely tight. It seems that the tighter the pack is on you, the less stress there is on your body. My pack now just feels like part of my body, it doesn't feel like i'm toting a bag around on my back. Plus, as someone suggested earlier, I attatch the crossing straps vertically to my belt, this also helps hold my belt up high where I like to wear it. My knapsack now is quite comfortable and has been for years. I think you just to have to do what makes you comfortable, each man is different.

[Moonshine]

Re: Knapsack Comfort

Try this:

I would do this when getting a new pair of cleats way back when I played baseball and it worked for me.

Dip the straps (not the entire knapsack) in a tub of hot water - not boiling - but hot enough for you as if you're showering or bathing. Once the straps are soaked and saturated, let the water out of the tub and allow them to drain with the water. Now put your coat on and the knapsack and wear it around the house tugging and pulling on the straps as you go or do some chores where you need to move around a lot. Excess water will drip off so keep a towel or an old rag handy to wipe away the moisture. You'll find as the leather starts to dry (in just a matter of minutes) that they will conform to your body just as my cleats would do to my feet.

Now, once the leather is almost completely dry, apply some neatsfoot oil. The oil will loosen the leather even more and make them stretch plus make them more supple plus, it will keep the leather from drying out and becoming brittle. Then a couple days later (once the leather has had a chance to completely dry) apply another coat of neatsfoot oil and wear the knapsack one more time.

This worked for me on 2 knapsacks and several shoes besides gloves and cleats.

Jim Ross

[Kykeydet12]

Re: Knapsack Comfort

Try this:

I would do this when getting a new pair of cleats way back when I played baseball and it worked for me.

Dip the straps (not the entire knapsack) in a tub of hot water - not boiling - but hot enough for you as if you're showering or bathing. Once the straps are soaked and saturated, let the water out of the tub and allow them to drain with the water. Now put your coat on and the knapsack and wear it around the house tugging and pulling on the straps as you go or do some chores where you need to move around a lot. Excess water will drip off so keep a towel or an old rag handy to wipe away the moisture. You'll find as the leather starts to dry (in just a matter of minutes) that they will conform to your body just as my cleats would do to my feet.

Now, once the leather is almost completely dry, apply some neatsfoot oil. The oil will loosen the leather even more and make them stretch plus make them more supple plus, it will keep the leather from drying out and becoming brittle. Then a couple days later (once the leather has had a chance to completely dry) apply another coat of neatsfoot oil and wear the knapsack one more time.

This worked for me on 2 knapsacks and several shoes besides gloves and cleats.

Jim Ross

the same process (or close to it ) works as well for a pair of brogans if you must know.

[jaron_hudgins]

Re: Knapsack Comfort

Just be sure not to put neatsfoot on your laces as I had two pair rot to pieces because of using neatsfoot on them. While neatsfoot can be good for some leathers, it can also damage and weaken leather after a while. I used neatsfoot on my leather M-1 Garand rifle sling and although it made it look good, you can easily see where much more use will render the sling useless.
I now use Lexol leather care and Picard oil on my leather gear. Just some stuff I've experienced.
Jaron Hudgins