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"It doesn't even feel like I am wearing a pack!"
I have just spent a fabulous time trekking the Manaslu Circuit in the stunning Nepalese Himalayas. This put my new ‘Aarn Natural Balance PRO Pack and Expedition PRO Balance Pockets through their paces and they exceeded above and beyond my expectations.
As a physiotherapist who sees a lot of tramping and mountaineering-related injuries, a high percentage of them could be mitigated by investing in good gear, especially an Aarn Pack and Balance Pockets. I explore three key observations from my trip on how my Aarn Pack has helped my own niggles/injuries and why it makes sense for everyone else to invest and discover a more enjoyable tramping experience!
1) Have you got dodgy ankles? Then listen UP!
The Manaslu Trek had numerous boulder-hopping streams/small river crossings, similar to our backcountry. This can always be a concern for avid ankle rollers like me. I usually encourage people to wear sturdy high-ankle boots but for the first time, I felt super confident in trail running shoes. This was definitely due to Aarn’s patented harness system which ‘allows your body to rotate and move freely whilst feeling stable and centred.’ So, when you jump from boulder to boulder or step on uneven ground, you don’t have all the weight of your bag unbalancing you which may normally tip you over on your less stable ankle, causing it to roll.
Smiling under a waterfall after walking through uneven ground with full confidence and an added bonus that my gear will be dry with the inbuilt dry bag pack liners.
2) Fed up with sore tramping shoulders and neck pain?
For my first ever time tramping, I didn’t get to the end of the day with uncomfortable shoulders and neck pain.
The Aarn backpack eliminates the rearward forces on the shoulders with more of the weight on the hip. This reduces tension on your upper trap (trapezius) muscles that can often send pain signals and become tight/fatigued (like when you sit at a desk hunched over and typing all day). Now, I have all that extra time to pick up a good book in the evening rather than do reactive neck and shoulder stretches.
Duncan showing off how balanced his Aarn pack is with a handstand in front of Manaslu Mountain.
3) What about my sore up and downhill knees?
When you push a car, you lean forward to utilise all your leg strength. Imagine maintaining that position for hours during a tramping day? This is no different to having a heavily laden traditional multi-day tramping pack where you lean into the hill and bend forwards often taking different unnatural steps.
You are trying to find a way to shift the weight, but this often requires more energy expenditure and changes the forces on your knees. That is why the Aarn system is so brilliant, as the balance pockets lead to the load revolving around your centre of gravity and doesn’t require a postural lean. You can walk more upright, which is not only more energy efficient but can reduce the stress on your knees! This is similar to when you walk downhill and don’t have to put as much effort into your quads working eccentrically and braking. Less fatigue also means the thigh muscles can work better at dissipating/absorbing forces on a long day rather than translating them to your knees.
In addition, the lightweight nature of my Aarn Natural Balance PRO pack comes to only 1264g, a lighter total weight than some other 65L packs on the market; this reduces the total weight on your joints.
Trying the 30kg+ porter technique... I’ll stick with the Aarn.
I will enjoy my longer tramps this summer far more with no more shoulder and hip pain. Please share this blog with any friends/family who are putting off getting into or back into tramping due to niggles and fear of carrying multi-day weight. Tramping has so many physical and mental benefits that should be enjoyed by all. Also, with the rise of ultralight and fastpacking, hiking is an expensive game. Invest in an Aarn Pack first, and prolong your other 'non-lightweight' gear as you will have space to pack it in an Aarn and you'll be comfortable while doing it.
If you’re still not convinced - visit one of your local dealers to try an Aarn pack on, it will all make sense.
Larke Pass, Manaslu trek, 5106m feeling fresh, upright and balanced after the morning's vertical gain.
By Duncan Grant, from Reignite Physio in Dunedin. He works with a range of people as well as trampers, trail runners, and climbers. He writes regularly for Wilderness Magazine.