It’s one thing to train for a run. It’s another to train with a weighted pack. And this is not just any weight. I have four-pound bags of rice that I then wrap in duct tape and stuff into my pack to train. If I got pulled over by the fuzz and they asked me to pull out the contents of the backpack, I might get thrown in the slammer since they look like cocaine bricks from Miami Vice. Yes, that’s dating myself right there. The point is, if you want to be prepared for the MDS, you need to train with your pack. And your pack comfort is critical for a multi-day desert race.
The problem I have beening having with the Ultimate Direction Fastpack 25 is that I’m experiencing chafing in my lower back. The pack is also dragging up my shirt layer and exposing skin. At the end of runs, I have this abrasion that stings like a mother. I’m no superhero here, so while there is part of me that wants to just “toughen up” and build up a resistance, the best thing to do is get to the root cause of why it’s happening in the first place. I am having a few thoughts:
- The pack is too large: I am running with a M/L pack but I was on the cusp when I bought it. What I’m wondering is whether the pack is sitting too far down on my back and rubbing right above my hips.
- I’m not strapping it correctly: Maybe it’s user error. It’s possible I’m not using the straps correctly and cinching poorly
- The weight is poorly distributed: I’m running with heavy bags of rice at the bottom of the pack. It’s said that you should put your weight closer to the middle/top of the pack so it’s not sitting in your lumbar. Currently mine is.
- There is some compromised construction: There is a ribbing of stitching around the pack that is perfect for creating friction on the skin. Why it was constructed like that is hard to know but it was probably expedient. It’s also painful.
- I’m carrying too much rear weight: It’s possible I’m too weighted on the back and not weighted enough on the front of the pack. What if I moved more weight in front of me? Hmmmm…
- It’s life. Just use Leukotape. No question that taping where the chafing is occurring would remedy the issue. But I’m nervous about relying on tape while out in the desert.
Enter Ideology. I got introduced to Zac West at Ideology a few weeks ago and I’m so grateful. Ideology is an incredible team of designers and creatives that help companies prototype products to go big! They work with some amazing companies across sectors including outdoor hardgoods, softgoods, medical, engineering, etc.. I went into visit Zac last week after a good friend introduced us and we talked philosophically about packs, pack design and pack wearing optimization. We’re working together to figure this out. Step 1 is shortening the straps so that the pack rides higher on my torso. Let’s see what happens there and we’ll keep experimenting.
The story is not over here and I’ll circle back as we figure out what’s going on and how to optimize. Getting this pack thing figured out is going to be foundational for a successful MDS. I don’t want to get lazy and shortcut here. I’m going to do the work to figure this out and appreciate Ideology and Zac helping me do it.