Looking for an ergonomic, comfortable book-carrying solution...
September 18, 2008 11:13 AM Subscribe
I'm looking for some type of book bag that would be easy on the arms/shoulders, i.e. as comfortable to carry as possible - any ideas?...more inside....
I'm wanting to get an ergonomic book-carrying solution for someone's birthday next week....this person had a severe arm injury a few years ago and some days their bad arm/shoulder flares up with pain.
I've asked them what would work best for them...they specifically said that they didn't want a traditional backpack and they don't want to drag or push something that has wheels (a la samsonite luggage). Right now they are using something akin to a big purse/shopping bag...and it can be heavy at times due to the amount of books carried.
Is there anything out there that can potentially be slung over their good shoulder/arm, or carried a different way.......and handle a heavy load and be comfortable and ergonomic at the same time? Help!
I'm wanting to get an ergonomic book-carrying solution for someone's birthday next week....this person had a severe arm injury a few years ago and some days their bad arm/shoulder flares up with pain.
I've asked them what would work best for them...they specifically said that they didn't want a traditional backpack and they don't want to drag or push something that has wheels (a la samsonite luggage). Right now they are using something akin to a big purse/shopping bag...and it can be heavy at times due to the amount of books carried.
Is there anything out there that can potentially be slung over their good shoulder/arm, or carried a different way.......and handle a heavy load and be comfortable and ergonomic at the same time? Help!
A lot of people I know who have back issues/shoulder issues/arm issues/are recovering from mastectomies/are recovering from rotator cuff surgery swear by these bags.
posted by Sidhedevil at 11:28 AM on September 18, 2008 [2 favorites]
posted by Sidhedevil at 11:28 AM on September 18, 2008 [2 favorites]
Well, to be honest, I don't like backpacks without waist-belts. If the weight is riding on your hips and back, and the straps are just there to keep it balanced, backpacks are comfy. Otherwise, I find they dig into my shoulders and neck and screw with my balance.
A messenger bag with a huge, comfy strap-pad is better... especially when slung across the body. Your chest and back and hip takes some of the weight. Mailmen and paperboys and pro photogs use this configuration to haul a fair amount of weight - comfy and convenient for getting at your stuff. A really, really good strap-pad is key for heavier weights.
Some photo bags also have padded waist belts to put some of the weight on your hips, and this is doubly good. Your lower body was evolved to carry a lot of weight comfortably. Unfortunately, I don't know of any messenger bags that offer this.
posted by Slap*Happy at 1:09 PM on September 18, 2008
A messenger bag with a huge, comfy strap-pad is better... especially when slung across the body. Your chest and back and hip takes some of the weight. Mailmen and paperboys and pro photogs use this configuration to haul a fair amount of weight - comfy and convenient for getting at your stuff. A really, really good strap-pad is key for heavier weights.
Some photo bags also have padded waist belts to put some of the weight on your hips, and this is doubly good. Your lower body was evolved to carry a lot of weight comfortably. Unfortunately, I don't know of any messenger bags that offer this.
posted by Slap*Happy at 1:09 PM on September 18, 2008
When I was in high school, some years ago, I managed to get a hold of an ALICE pack. It's overkill if you don't have a lot of books, but it's fantastic with. I once traded bags with someone in the same classes as me, and that LLBean bag was murder.
posted by Weighted Companion Cube at 2:19 PM on September 18, 2008
posted by Weighted Companion Cube at 2:19 PM on September 18, 2008
I bought this large totebag from Amazon specifically to be able to carry my laptop, textbooks and notebooks. I cannot recommend it enough. It is probably somewhat similar to what your friend is already using but it is so comfortable to carry and feels much lighter than the number of books in it would imply.
posted by peacheater at 7:11 PM on September 18, 2008
posted by peacheater at 7:11 PM on September 18, 2008
Forgot to mention that the laptop sleeve can be removed to make room for more books.
posted by peacheater at 7:13 PM on September 18, 2008
posted by peacheater at 7:13 PM on September 18, 2008
It's a bit pricey, but the Boblbee Megalopolis is one of the most comfortable bags I've ever worn. It's like an internal frame backpack, in that it distributes the weight nicely.
posted by suedehead at 11:26 PM on September 18, 2008
posted by suedehead at 11:26 PM on September 18, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 11:26 AM on September 18, 2008 [1 favorite]