Unusual pack saves your back

You haul 16 tons, and what do you get?

If your answer is "back pain," the BackTpack is here to help.

The weight in a regular backpack is all behind you, causing you to hunch over to compensate. In the long run, of course, that's bad news.

The BackTpack ($65, back tpack.com), designed by a physical therapist, aims the weight of your cargo straight down your spine, so you carry it more naturally.

Bound to your body by shoulder, sternum and hip straps, the 13-inch-by-13-inch nylon side bags have pockets just about everywhere, inside and out, including an iPod pouch with a headphone hole. That means all your stuff stays in place, and the only mild inconvenience is figuring out which is the left bag and which is the right when you're not wearing them.

Available in a variety of loud colors, the BackTpack is definitely designed more for comfort than style. Co-worker consensus suggests that I resemble a cross between a skydiver and a pack mule when I wear my black-and-khaki number (glad I didn't go for the camo), though all agree it looks comfortable.

And comfortable it is. Compared with a regular backpack, a loaded BackTpack is practically effortless to carry, whether walking or on a bicycle, and it promotes better posture instantly. The bags hang at the hips, where you can forget about them until you need something.

The downside? You'll have to take it off to drive a car or sit in a chair with arms.

If you carry a lot of stuff, and are not too self-consciousness, the BackTpack could be your answer. If people laugh, let them - you'll be laughing all the way past the chiropractor's office.

DETAILS

You know you want it. But do you know where to get it? This column aims to help. Watch this space weekly for information on all things timely, trendy, useful or unusual. Tip us off on a nifty gadget and e-mail barb.cotter@gazette.com