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As you stand on the sidewalk admiring your luxurious new leather backpack, you realize that a drop of rain is falling right towards you. You turn and sprint frantically for shelter as you hold the pack against your body in a desperate attempt to protect it. When you reach a dry spot, you cautiously assess the damage. Luckily, the pack is just fine. In fact, leather is surprisingly durable and can easily handle a few drops of rain. However, if you are planning to go on frequent hiking trips during torrential downpours, you may want to do a bit of preventative maintenance as you use your new pack.

To keep leather backpacks looking great, you should:

• Consider treating the pack with a leather conditioner after it has been through a few months of wet weather. Start by treating a small spot that isn’t very visible in case the conditioner alters the pack’s color or has some other unwanted effect.
• Clean soiled leather with saddle soap to remove some of the dirt and grime.
• Think about using a mildew resistant product made specifically for leather products if your pack is subjected to frequent downpours or if you plan to store it in a very humid, damp area. Mildewed or moldy leather is virtually impossible to repair.

One of the most recognizable brands, Mountain Hardwear is now at eBags.com.  This product is top of the line for all of your outdoor activities.  Their daypacks, backpacking packs, and duffels are perfect for hauling the laptop to and from campus, or hauling all your gear in the outdoors.  Also, there happens to be a sale going on right now!

According to the American Chiropractic Association, more than one-half of all working Americans are plagued with some form of back pain each year. While the reasons behind back pain might be widely varied, we all have to concentrate on avoiding chronic pain wherever possible. If you carry a backpack on a regular basis, it could be contributing to back pain more than you think.

One of the advantages to carrying a backpack rather than another type of bag is that it stays out of the way. It doesn’t fall off your shoulder with every step and your hands are free to engage in other activities. Many business executives have even taken to using laptop backpacks rather than the traditional laptop case.

While using a backpack might be highly convenient, it can also contribute to back pain in a big way. Factors like the weight of the backpack, your posture when you sit or walk and the way in which the backpack rests on your shoulders can make a significant difference in how your back and shoulders are affected.

Depending on your backpack needs, you might want to look into a suspension pack. These backpacks are designed to distribute the weight evenly and provide relief for your back and shoulders. Suspension packs are common for hikers, students and people who carry a large amount of items to work.

Prices for suspension backpacks vary widely, from a $40 Jansport to a $300 Lowe Alpine. Kelty produces a mid-range suspension pack for just under $200 and The North Face offers the Backtrack 70 for those who carry heavy weights in their backpacks.

If you don’t like the bulkiness of a suspension backpack, however, you do have other options for your backpacking needs that won’t cause your muscles to ache. The most important thing about selecting a backpack is to determine how much weight is necessary to carry. Many people have turned to hardshell backpacks such as those created by Boblbee because they allow you to distribute the weight in your pack evenly.

Women who don’t have much to carry but who still enjoy the convenience of a backpack might want to look into something small, such as the Sherpani Tosca.

When you purchase a backpack, fill it with the normal weight you will be carrying and walk around your home for fifteen to twenty minutes. If you experience back pain in that amount of time, you are either carrying too much or you need a different backpack.

Article by Steve Thompson from AssociatedContent.com

Anyone who has more than one child, going back to school this year is already out shopping for back-to-school gear. It’s expensive to purchase new shoes, back packs, jeans, shirts, shorts, and school supplies! I don’t claim to be an expert, but my friends always want to go shopping with me because I tend to find all the deals.

My children, I’m sure, aren’t fab fashion kids walking around campus looking like they just finished a teen magazine photo shoot, but I do end up finding name-brand merchandise for cheap.

My number one place to shop, believe it or not, is the thrift store! I could be a poster child for them because I buy so many things there. I just went last weekend, I spent a total of $17.83, I walked out with a new leather purse for me, 9 pairs of jeans for my kids (Osh Kosh, fubu, OTB, Arizona and Old Navy), two toys my kids wanted and a jacket for my husband that he just couldn’t pass up. All of that for less than $20!

Many thrift stores support charities, so a portion of the money you spend, helps someone less fortunate. Think about that for a minute. If you purchased a new range, nothing is really wrong with your old range but you just don’t need it. All of your friends have a range and they don’t want your old one, so why wouldn’t you donate it to a worthy cause? Many people do and the thrift store has so much coming in day after day, they just sell it for a reasonable price. In most areas there are plenty of thrift stores to choose from.

I also love to go to the mall looking for big reductions cuts too. Belks, Target and Sears all have one thing in common…..it’s called “the clearance rack.” I drove a friend of mine to Charleston last week for an appointment and I had to hit the mall. At one children’s store I bought two shirts for $5, at Belks I nabbed four shirts for $20 and then I went to Target where I spent $45 more dollars. At Target I was able to buy some shirts for $2 each, a lightweight jacket for $3, a couple of pairs of pants for $2.88 each and the rest were random shirts that were probably about $4 each.

I don’t think I have ever met anyone who doesn’t shop from the Wal-mart clearance rack either. I have found some summer tops and shorts on clearance for, get this, 50 cents! Yesterday my family and I went to the local Wal-mart and found the kids some spiderman shoes, which they love, for only $3 a pair. Not only are the prices on the clearance rack great at Wal-mart but they also have some good prices all the time on blue jeans for kids. The only problem with the blue jeans at Wal-mart is that there’s not enough variety. I love variety and I hate wearing the same things over and over.

Online is also a great place to look for bargains. Check out sites like Walmart.com and Target.com for general merchandise and sales. Often more specialized sites like eBags.com and Office Depot have great deals on back to school supplies including backpack closeouts which are sometimes up to 50% off the regular price. Also look for coupon sites. These are great places to start when you know where you want to shop and you are looking for a deal like xx% off or free shipping. Just type in your store name and the word “coupons” into any major search engine.

In the summertime, it’s not uncommon for me to get up at 5 in the morning and go in search of yard sales. Some children are really lucky because they have a lot of family members who buy clothing for every occassion throughout the year and mom can’t possibly keep up with all the new clothing. Items end up shoved into the closet and forgotten about until yard sale time. What would most people do when cleaning out closets and they encounter a new outfit that the child outgrew too quickly to wear? Yard sale! The child can’t wear it, it’s new and most people slap $1 on it just to get rid of it.

A lot of people buy clothing or foot wear closeouts at low prices, rent a u-haul and off to the flea markets they go selling new clothing at a discounted rate. Sometimes they even set up on the road side and passing motorists stop to browse. I found some Scooby-Doo overall’s for my four year old at the bottom of a box and payed a whopping dollar for them.

If you decide to save money and go shopping at some of the places above, don’t be discouraged if you don’t find a real bargain the first visit. Go a few times, train your eye and concentrate on your mission. Afterall, the point is to get a good deal and, to me, that is getting more than my money’s worth.

Article by Gringa from AssociatedContent.com

When considering a winter hike or overnight camping trip, safety should be your priority. Each winter, reports of campers and hikers lost or stranded in snowstorms are in the news. Before embarking on even a short winter hike, do your homework. Check and re-check weather conditions, especially in mountain areas where weather conditions change quickly. Adjust your distance goals and watch the clock. Daylight hours are shorter in winter and night falls quickly.

Although most campers and hikers choose spring, summer and fall for their excursions, winter camping and hiking trips are enjoyable and exhilarating with proper planning and preparation. Dress for the winter outdoors — think layers rather than bulk. Begin with a lining layer of lightweight longjohns, followed by a layer of fleece. Top off with a windproof and waterproof Gore-tex jacket, boots and a head cover. Even on a short winter hike, nothing is worse than cold, wet hands and feet. Tuck an extra pair of socks and extra set of gloves in your hiking backpack.

Invest in sturdy and waterproof camping bags or waterproof hiking backpacks or waist packs. Use a winter packing checklist and pack wisely. Use a hydration backpack and high-carb snacks to maintain your energy level.

When it comes to ergonomic design, don’t just settle for getting healthy with an attractive office chair and desk. Your back is an important part of your overall health, helping with breathing, movement, and flexibility. Think about how much work it requires to keep your spine in alignment. It’s something most of us take for granted, and it doesn’t get easier when you’re toting around too many goods!

While you do your best to make sure you have good posture, balancing out how you carry the essentials is an important factor. Your back helps you stay comfortable when you’re standing and sitting, and keeping it in good order will help you maintain good form. Working out and stretching only go so far. When it comes to how you carry your goods, finding the right fit that won’t do a number on your back is no easy process.

With regular lifting, carrying, and transporting, your back can become damaged over time. Add a pair of shoes, your favorite books, a laptop computer, and those much-needed accessories to the mix, and you’ve got enough to pack a small suitcase! A bag that can carry all your basics - and then some - without ruining your figure or your style is an easy way to keep up with your health. Besides, walking around without that stiff neck is an added benefit. When you reduce the strain from your neck and shoulders, it’s much easier to enjoy the freedom of easy movement.

AmeriBag’s Healthy Back Bag could be just what you need to get your posture and alignment (healthfully) in order, and in control. With a bag designed to distribute the pressure from the daily load, you’ll be enjoying the luxury of stress-free movement in no time flat. This bag is designed to balance out the weight throughout the entire bag, putting less pressure on your shoulders and neck area, all while helping you easily keep track of the basic necessities.

From microfiber, distressed nylon, or leather, the Healthy Back Bag tote is essential for city-trekkers and travelers alike. Small and compact, finding the right lumbar support for travel, work, or play is easy with an assortment of colors to match your fashionable style. Zippered closures and a cushioned strap finish up the design of this healthy addition to your daily trips. The healthy back bag is just another excuse to take care of your health and stay stylish in the process!

Article by Sabah Karimi from AssociatedContent.com

School backpacks - a savvy solution to managing schoolbook overload. But, how helpful are they? Sure, they offer a place to stash and carry necessary materials your child may need throughout the day. They also keep things clean and dry. But are they just setting up your child to experience physical problems down the road, like muscle strain and back pain?

The United States Consumer Project Safety Commission estimated around 21,000 backpack-related injuries in 2003. Admittedly, a number of those injuries were traumatic in nature, such as trips, falls and being hit by a backpack, but a significant number were chronic complaints from strain to the shoulders, neck and back.

Overloading backpacks sends a force through the mid back with each step. If the pack is too large, it can send a jolting force through the low back area. Children’s spines do not become fully ossified (turned into bone) until the age of 22-25 years. Therefore it does not take a great amount of force to cause a misalignment of the spine.The muscles surrounding the spine also get involved by trying to counter the effects of force by contracting, or tightening. This tightening can lead to a chronic tension cycle of the muscles. Nerve damage can occur when tightened muscles interfere with nerves, thus it can eventually affect the health of organs and tissues.

Over time, an overloaded backpack can cause muscle fatigue and strain to your shoulders, neck, hips, and even legs! It can cause premature disk damage, faulty alignment of the spine or nerve damage.

Though experts disagree to the extent of damage that comes with chronic overload, chances are, if your child’s backpack is jam-packed, you could be setting her up for problems down the road.

When Is Heavy Too Heavy: The American Association of Physical Therapy suggests backpacks should weigh no more than 15-20% of the child’s body weight, whereas The American Chiropractic Association recommends only 5-10% to decrease risks of injury.

So, how do you know? Look for warning signs. Is your child complaining of back, neck or shoulder pain? Does she walk stooped over or wear the backpack on one shoulder hiked all the way up to her ear? Would she rather drag the bag rather than carry it? Does she list to one side to compensate for the heavy load?

What To Look For: Searching for that perfect backpack for the start of school can be a trying experience. You may be looking for that efficient bag, but your child wants something that’s “cool”! Don’t despair - there’s hope for both of you! Your child can be hip and healthy!

Ten Commandments of Backpack Packing

1. DO! Always use both shoulder straps and waist strap to distribute weight evenly
2. DO! Pack heaviest items first, closest to the body. Distribute rest of items evenly
3. DON’T! Lean forward to carry or stoop over to pick up
4. DO! Pack sharp objects carefully - away from the body to avoid injuries
5. DON’T! Overload compartments with unnecessary items
6. DO! Adjust should straps so pack rests snugly against the mid back - 2 inches above waist and just below the base of the skull
7. DO! Encourage your child to clean out bag at least once per week
8. DON’T! Buy the biggest bag on the block. Smaller is better - it will force your child to be more efficient and selective
9. DO! Talk to child’s teacher about reducing the weight with handouts or smaller texts
10. DON’T! Hesitate to seek professional medical advice if your child is complaining about pain

Bag SmartsPacks come in all shapes and sizes, with just about every theme of interest for kids! You don’t need the most expensive. In fact, an economical canvas backpack is lighter and perhaps more durable than expensive leather counterparts.

Size management is key - too big a pack will only encourage kids to carry more stuff. Conversely, too small may force a child to hand-carry extra materials. Too many compartments typically get inundated with junk. Keep the pack’s purpose in mind - to carry necessary school supplies!

Some school backpacks come with an inflatable lumbar support and straps, while others are totally inflatable. Molded, contour backed packs are also available, but at a price! If your child is complaining of pain from carrying a backpack or demonstrates signs of compensation, such as listing to one side or holding the shoulders up around the ears, it may be time to seek a more personalized pack with key components to ease strain.

Though backpack shopping can be just another nuisance before the start of school they are a efficient means of transportation of school supplies - and the good news is, you no longer have to sacrifice comfort and health for the esthetically pleasing, kid-cool bag!

Article by Sandra Koehler from AssociatedContent.com

Having the right camping or hiking gear makes the difference between a camping or hiking experience that is fun or frustrating. Investing in the right camping and hiking luggage reduces the stress and strain of transporting camping gear and gets an outdoor adventure off to the right start.

• Experienced campers and hikers recommend researching several types of backpacks including external frame backpacks and internal frame backpacks. They also suggest choosing the most lightweight camping bag that meets your personal needs. Online camping and hiking luggage reviews are a good source of pros and cons of different styles of backpacks, trail bags and hiking backpacks.
• Hydration backpacks make water access easy. A special Nalgene bag built into the hydration backpack holds about 70 ozs. of water and is much lighter than the equivalent of six 12 oz. water bottles. A long flexible tube extending from the bag makes it easy for adults and children to stay hydrated while on the move. Dakine, Camelbak, High Sierra, North Face and Kelty are brands favored by experienced hikers and campers.
• Visit online camping forums, camping clubs and campground websites for tips on the best tents, sleeping bags and cookstoves. Look for features in camping and hiking luggage that accommodate your tent, stove, food, water and personal gear.

Once your research is complete and you are fully-equipped for outdoor adventure, pack your gear and take a practice run close to home before setting out on a long trek or distant campout.

Getting a good deal can make your day - the bigger the bargain, the better you feel. The same can be said when finding a bargain on backpacks. However, make sure you are buying a backpack that is on sale and NOT a cheap backpack. There is a difference. Cheap backpacks = cheaply made. They won’t last as long. Sale backpacks will save you money without costing you quality. Here are a couple of tips that will help you find the best prices:

Backpack closeouts: Often, products are put on sale because they have last season’s pattern, color, or style or because that particular collection is being discontinued. If having the newest backpack model out there is not important to you, this is a great way to go.

Sales: Purchase your backpack online during sale times such as President’s Day, during the holidays, and especially during Back To School season. During non-holiday times, look for online coupons. To save even more, consider comparison shopping or signing up for email notifications from online stores.

What are the “Three P’s” you might ask? When it comes to children’s backpacks, they stand for positioning, packing and posture. These three elements make up a great safety triangle for making sure backpacks for kids are being used in the best and most efficient way possible.

Positioning: The backpack should be worn so that it rests on the hips and pelvis. It should also be below the shoulders. The straps and belts should all be used to get the best fit. Make sure the backpack is designed specifically for kids, or better yet, for the child’s general age and grade level. This will ensure a better fit.

Packing: When loading the backpack, make sure that heavy objects are close to the body, but avoid putting things in that area that can poke into the child’s back. Pass on adding the extra weight associated with water bottles and other items that can just as easily be hand carried. Avoid overloading at all costs.

Posture: Adults know to adjust their walking and slow down when they get tired, but kids tend to compensate with poor posture. When carrying a backpack, this can lead to some major stress on the spine and muscles of a child. Watch for signs such as the head dropping forward and lighten the load if you start to see signs of fatigue.