i hope it sticks this time. i'm fairly convinced that "mesh backs" have entered into the realm of "received wisdom" with the customer like "goretex lining".
i complained about the mesh back to hugo youngman (some people are so lucky to meet me!!!!). he pointed out that unlike some other packs, the mesh on their current range (well the Z55) isn't part of the pack structure and can be cut off if you don't like it.
There's good sized vertical channel between my shoulder on my Macpac Glissade and with the back length adjusted correctly for me there's a nice airy gap in my lower lumbar too.. Since when has this been news? Even the ancient Karrmimor alpinists had air channels...
That said, I've one mesh backed trampoline pack that works fine. So I'm not sure it makes much difference!
Lowe Alpine did something similar a couple of years back, then dropped it again... It does make a certain amount of sense.
More than a couple of years... One reason I've never seen fit to replace the Lowe Kantega 2 I bought in 1988 is that there's no padding or mesh on the back. Since the pack is anchored at the hip belt and the centre of mass is behind the pivot (i.e., the lumbar pad) and the frame staves are rigid enough to stop the pack body sagging, the pack rotates back and down away from the back, so all you get with padding and/or mesh is less ventilation. So I've been scrathing my back the way that chap in the picture can for over 20 years now...
And my pack, with an older version of the Parallux harness, was predated for many years by similar ones with the same lack of pointless padding. At one point my Kantega was stolen and I replaced it with an Alpamayo. Still a nice pack, but when I sent in the registration card I included a note that I thought the older one was better in the matter of (no) back padding. I got anice letter back from the designer of the Kantega agreeing with me, but pointing out the sad reality that marketing dictated packs have to look comfortable on a shop display ahead of actually being comfortable in use! Fourtunately I recovered my old pack 18 months later, and it's still doing sterling service.
Aye, I got an early POD sac back in 1990. Back then Pete O'D was also using the Parallux suspension system - simple and indestructible. There was a massive lumbar pad and an amazingly supportive hipbelt, more comfortable than any other I've ever used. Apart from that the very firmly padded shoulder straps wrapped over to the top of the parallux webbing ladder and held the pack clear of your back. The big space inbetween was simply 1000D Cordura, and a simply malleable internal alloy stave up the centre of the back ensured that any weight of load stayed supported but not in direct contact with your back. Simple but effective and comfortable, and capable of carrying weights I wouldn't dream of today.
I've still got it, but I never really need 70 POD litres these days (it was at least 20% bigger than the 70 litre Karrimor Alpiniste it replaced!)
