More ergonomic design

[Brett A. Noe]

Cody,

Did you notice the top of your back mount vest causing you pain right between your shoulder blades? I ask because that's what mine is doing. I'm having the rigid bar in the back bent to follow the curve of my back in the hope that this will more evenly distribute the force. Anyone with any comments on this?

[Phil Kindred]

I saw a pic once of a Klaussen vest with the outer cover removed.  The foam is layered and there is a thicker section at the point you describe.  I am following that idea because that is a pressure point.  Curving the metal will possibly help, but good dense foam will do the same thing.

[Cody Deegan]

I haven't had problems in that area.  I'm focusing on the hips right now because that's where I'm experiencing discomfort.  My top bar is pretty well padded.

[Phil Kindred]

The hip section should also be layered rather than just one piece of foam.  Also, if the over the shoulder straps connect to the front hip section of the vest, it should help.  See pics of my old vest.

[Brett A. Noe]

I tried the bending, didn't help although it does look cool! Then I tried something a bit different. Took the basic Cody back mount, cut a weight belt in half, and attached it to the lower back support. That did most of the trick!

I'm going to modify the hip area more in line with the Klassen design. Rigid all the way around the waist. Extra padding on the pressure points. Move the shoulder straps mounted to the front instead of the rear. That should do the job.

The reason I started having problems was bringing the wraparound bar for ease of suiting up. I used Cody's suggestion of a backrest piece from an office chair! Drilled some holes for aesthetic value and weight reduction. It is functional now without being painful, or at least no more painful than carrying this much weight should be!