Single / mono strap Hiking, Backpacking, Daypack

Hi all

In July 2011, three days after climbing up Peny-ghent one of the three Yorkshire peaks in the UK I ran out of electricity and had to have an emergency pacemaker fitted at the wonderful LGI in Leeds, UK. I had total heart block. I’m now 48 years old.

Previous to my Pacemaker I was fit, exercised regular and cycled 20 / 30 UK miles every other day so most probably fit in with the theories of too much exercise wears you out, but hey ho eh. I for the last 8 months I’ve been cycling between 11 and 40 UK miles 2 / 3 times a week. If I’m not outside on my mountain bike I’m in my garage on a static exercise bike. I also use a rowing machine (a proper one) and do 10 UK miles on this; this is tough so I only do this once or twice a week. I also use a punch bag and do punch bag work for 10 – 15 mins 2 – 3 times a week. The rower and punch bag hurt my shoulder; my assumption is my pacemaker site is getting a little bruised.

My advice to anybody wanting to use exercise equipment, if you have the kit already, go gently and feel your way better, don’t go hell for leather take it steady and build up comfortably. If you don’t have the kit at home go to a professional gym and talk to a professional trainer who will mentor and most importantly keep an eye on you.

Anyway, the reason Im posting is that I want to climb up another Yorkshire peak, Ingleborough, last time I had a double strap backpack but this time with a pacemaker I need a monostrap backpack / rucksack (30/40 litres). Does anybody know where I can get a proper backpack / rucksack with a single / monostrap from please in the UK. Ive looked everywhere on the internet, all I can get is a kiddies or very small school bag. I need a proper hiking / walking backpack, with a mono strap so I dont erode my pacemaker site

8 Comments

not sure about the UK

by polrbear - 2012-07-23 01:07:24

I've heard that a few of the US manufacturers will make a special order one-sided pack, but I'm not sure about the ergonomics of this practice. How do they compensate to keep the load balanced? Would a tumpline be better or worse in this case?

As I can sew (although my machine can't always keep up with me...really need a light industrial machine with a walking foot for my needs), so I would like to try making something that would make this more comfortable without the loss of function. Can a strap be modified? Perhaps a cutout section. Would a different shape be better? Maybe. Perhaps go an even more radical direction (start with HURTHEART's idea and see where it goes).

I won't be able to start much in the coming year, but I'd love to hear some ideas to try out once I finish school next May.

another comment

by Pookie - 2012-07-23 02:07:13

Hi, Pookie here. I noticed that your comment posted twice (which isn't that uncommon) so I've deleted one of them, which had a response to it - which I added below:

Exercise is the problem

Comment posted by ElectricFrank on 2012-07-23 00:12.

There have been so many young fit types on here having heart block. I think I've figured it out. It's the exercise.

Guess it's time to go back to the recliner and a beer. Might save me from an ICD or ablation. :)

frank

Thanks

by Dezza - 2012-07-23 02:07:37

Thanks to everybody. The backpacks I have sit in the wrong place and give me shooting pains in my shoulder and arm. Ill try different ones to see if there is a difference, if all else fails i'll look for a backpacking donkey wife ;-)

Have you tried..

by Creaky - 2012-07-23 06:07:32

this? I put a sheepskin pad (a standard item in the Auto Parts section in WalMart) on the left shoulder strap of my back pack- . I also don't ever clip the chest strap. Even though the shoulder strap still rides over the edge of the PM a little, it doesn't seem to irritate it.
I also try to keep my total pack weight including water to under 20#.
Good luck, and hope you find a way to keep hiking.

Harry

comfort

by Tracey_E - 2012-07-23 10:07:05

How do you feel carrying a regular one? Quite a few of us hike with a regular backpack and don't have problems. If it's uncomfortable, that's different, but if it doesn't hurt don't worry about it. Also, experiment with different styles because different ones will sit differently.

I've seen daypacks with one strap but not large packs like you'd need for camping.

These are American, no idea if they ship to UK, but this is where I start when I need gear
http://www.cabelas.com
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/916?nav=ln-97
http://www.rei.com/category/4500001_Backpacks

Got a backpack

by Dezza - 2012-08-20 04:08:22

In the end I bought a double strap karrimor trail 35 backpack and never had a problem at all. I hiked 10.5 UK miles up and around ingleborough,( a 2500 ft hill in the UK) it took me 8 hours, 4 hours in the pouring rain but definitely no pacemaker site pain or injury. My feet were killing me though lol

Got a backpack

by Dezza - 2012-08-20 04:08:25

In the end I bought a double strap karrimor trail 35 backpack and never had a problem at all. I hiked 10.5 UK miles up and around ingleborough,( a 2500 ft hill in the UK) it took me 8 hours, 4 hours in the pouring rain but definitely no pacemaker site pain or injury. My feet were killing me though lol

tafi

by Tafi - 2012-08-20 11:08:32

I asked about an monostrap rusack after having a pacemaker fitted end of july 2012 and was told to try Sportsdirect

You know you're wired when...

You trust technology more than your heart.

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Do feel free to contact the manufacturer of your device. I have found them to be quite helpful when I have had questions and concerns.