ABS Vario backpack uncomfortable??

[Bakerider]

Hey Guys,
Just wondering...I received my ABS Vario 25 backpack a couple of days ago and right off the bat I noticed that where the nitrogen cylinder is located in the pack, it pushes directly between the shoulder blades which is very uncomfortable!! I put some padding between where the airbags are located to try and push that portion of the pack into my back to take the cylinder pressure off, but it just doesn't seem right that it feels this way? Anybody else notice this with their ABS pack?? I tried my buddies Snowpulse Highmark 22 and it is really nice and solid on the back. It has a plastic panel with stiffener supports and NO pressure points. Any feedback would be great! Thanks.

 

[SledsWest]

Can you take a pic of the bag and the way the canister is setup in the bag? You shouldn't be able to feel the canister at all in the ABS bags, they sit pretty deep inside the frame of the pack. If you can get a pic, we might be able to help you out and see what the problem might be.

 

[Bakerider]

Here are some pics...You can see the "Bulge" near the top of the back support portion of the backpack where the cylinder sits. Needless to say I am not too impressed at this point with the comfort of this unit. For $1200 this should fit like a custom mold! Hope someone has some input on this for me. Thanks in advance!

 

[The Goat]

How tall are you? The shoulder straps on the Small Vario base unit attach a couple inches lower, which makes the pack ride a bit higher on the back. That would put the canister riding a bit higher, possibly above the bony arch in your spine. Just a thought. You might want to give it a try before you use the pack, and maybe the store you bought it from would still take an exchange for the other base unit. Or you could always try putting a piece of hardened plastic between the canister and base, so it has some more support kind of like the Snowpulse has.

 

[Bakerider]

I am 5'11"...I was wondering about the Small Vs. Large. When I talked to ABS they recommended the large base unit. I am thinking I may have to insert a plastic sheet in there or something to disperse the pressure. Does your pack bulge like that where the canister is located?

 

[armey37]

Buy a snowpulse!!

 

[Bakerider]

Haha...You're funny Wesley!! Had I done it over again I probably would have!

 

[SledsWest]

Seems odd that the frame bulges like that. Mine doesn't do that, but I have the older Vario base. I'd show the people you bought the pack from and see if all their frames do that. If so, I'd get a new Snopulse. Here are pics of my vario.

 

[Bakerider]

I like the fact that your pack has thicker padding on the back support..I am sure that alone helps a lot. I am thinking about mounting the cylinder in the middle between the two airbags like they do with the powder line series? I already wore the pack on a ride so think I am screwed as far as being able to send it back...

 

[The Goat]

I am 5'11"...I was wondering about the Small Vs. Large. When I talked to ABS they recommended the large base unit. I am thinking I may have to insert a plastic sheet in there or something to disperse the pressure. Does your pack bulge like that where the canister is located?

I've got the new base like yours, and it doesn't bulge as much as yours. Have you tried routing the hoses under the canister rather than on top of it to maybe keep it pushed back a bit further? Don't know if it would help at all, but may be worth a try.

 

[Norona]

It should not bulge like that, was it shipped and in that case was it folded, if that is the case maybe it needs to be broke in by wearing it or keeping it in a warm place. I have never heard of this problem...

 

[Skadi]

Yeah... mine doesn't bulge and is SOOOO freaking comfortable!! Same with my BFs....

 

[TheGuyX]

We just picked up three SnoPulse HighMark 22 and none of our group has noticed any discomfort from the Cylinder or anything else in the Pack. Upgrade to a SnoPulse.

 

[Bakerider]

It is really interesting how not many people seem to have this problem? Just the fact of where the canister is located and there being ZERO back support to disperse the pressure points seems like a horrible design...Anyway, I ended up making a kevlar mount similar to the one that holds the top of the canister housing in place and sewed velcro to the backside so it attaches to the existing velcro on the unit. Then I sewed elastic between the two airbags in the middle to hold the canister down. This gave me the same design as they have in the powder line series. I feels MUCH better!! Too bad a person has to modify a $1200 bag to make it tolerable...Sure seems like the older Vario base looked more comfy with the thicker back pads.

 

[Yamadoo04]

Weird. I bought the new Vario this year and i do not have the problem at all. It fits great and does not bulge like that. I will see if I can get a picture of it tomorrow and post it up. That seems like something is wrong.

 

[backcountryislife]

Weird. I bought the new Vario this year and i do not have the problem at all. It fits great and does not bulge like that. I will see if I can get a picture of it tomorrow and post it up. That seems like something is wrong.

Same here... I could have any pack on the market I want, and I'm just aobut to refresh my vario & buy another one.

If you got it from Snowbigdeal, give them a call with your concerns (if not... why not??? That's the reason it pays to buy from a well respected sell er that will help you out!) if not, ABS themselves has pretty good customer service, CALL them. If this pack is a problem, and none of the other people on here are saying they've got the same issue, maybe you just got one that was jacked up... crap like that does happen I bet. For $1200+ I wouldn't settle for being less than satisfied. It should be a GREAT pack...

I've used mine with the biggest attachment they've got & had it LOADED to the hilt & been very comfy, you should feel the same!! I'll have my new one in a week... stoked to have yet another great pack, I sure hope that's the case!