More Backpacking Innovations
Note:
This collection of ideas and inventions started on the
page of backpacking gear
ideas.
Inflatable Frame Backpack
Those of us with frame-less backpacks often put folded sleeping
pads in the pack, against our backs. This provides some cushioning
and some support for the load. This could be also be done by
having the part of the pack that rests against the user's back
inflate. Using the same technology as the lightweight self-inflating
sleeping bag pads, it would only add about six ounces, and the
backpack could then double as a foot-bag/pad for sleeping (or
as a pillow?).
It might work better if just a few "ribs" inflated.
One on either side of your spine would make for a comfortable
fit.
Water Bag Pillow
I usually use a plastic soda bottle to carry water when backpacking,
but when I need to carry more water I have used the plastic bladders
from boxed wine. They are very strong, and I inflate the bag
with air to use as a pillow too. To market this as a dual-purpose
water container/pillow, it just needs a soft covering of some
sort. This is something you can create yourself if you don't
mind drinking a box of wine up first.
Wax Paper Food Containers
The idea here is to sell backpacking food in wax-paper packaging
instead of plastic. This doubles as emergency fire-starters.
Wax paper will usually burn even when wet.
Backpacking Game
Print a jacket or one side of a backpack with a chess/checkers
board, and you have a carry-along game that weighs nothing extra.
Great for when you have to spend hours in the tent waiting out
the rain. If you don't carry pieces, little stones or pine cones
could work as checkers.
Underwear Swimsuit
Combine the comfort of underwear with the styling of a swim
suit, and you don't have to embarrass yourself skinny-dipping
in more populated backpacking areas.
Jacket Backpack
This is a frame less backpack with a jacket that is a part
of the pack. It can be folded back out of the way, and the pack
would have normal shoulder straps. When wearing the jacket, though,
it would stabilize the pack, and make it easy to push through
heavy brush, because it wouldn't catch on things as easily. It
would be something like wearing a large jacket over a backpack,
but with the weight-savings and stability that come from combining
them.
There are still more ideas in part three, which you can find
here: New Backpacking Ideas.
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