Rokslide needs one these

[mtwarden]

The founder of backpackinglight has playing around with a machine that tests the ability of a backpack to handle different loads.

Over the past year, we have been designing, building, and refining a biomechanically-representative robot (photo below) to analyze backpack load suspension performance. We're in the later stages of bot mods + refining and validating the test protocol.

The results are incredibly promising:

Repeatability within 5%
Time to results cut by 50%
Torso adjustability
Test pack weights up to 70 pounds (32 kg)

We need one that can handle probably up to 120 lbs

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

Do you throw it off a cliff with or without the machine attached?

 

[mtwarden]

Do you throw it off a cliff with or without the machine attached?

Both

 

[nnmarcher]

@mtwarden do you have a link to the page? I can't find any more information about it. I'm curious what/how they are testing. How much load can be transferred from the shoulder straps to the hips? I would think that pack suspension comfort depends mostly on the individual fit. Maybe they are measuring something I haven't thought of so I'm excited to see what they come up with!

 

[desertdwellerdyl]

Following out of interest

 

[BBob]

do you have a link to the page?

I don’t think he’s published a page yet, that info came in an email.

 

[mtwarden]

They don't have any details yet that I've found, but I think they are mainly focused on how a pack resists torso collapse.

The machine can be adjusted for torso length which is really important—a shorter frame resists collapse better when a person has a shorter torso and vice versa.

 

[desertdwellerdyl]

Who are they working in collaboration with?

 

[BBob]

Who are they working in collaboration with?

He does it solely for Backpacking Light and the community. He’s always been into independent testing. I’m sure he shares with the manufacturing community ultimately for bettering products for the consumer. That would seem to be the driver from what I’ve seen over the years.

 

[BBob]

From the email:

“I'll be presenting the new model in the Gear Testing Panel Discussion at Trail Days Online 2025 with Rex Sanders - I hope you can join us so you can meet our new pal!”

 

[desertdwellerdyl]

He does it solely for Backpacking Light and the community. He’s always been into independent testing. I’m sure he shares with the manufacturing community ultimately for bettering products for the consumer. That would seem to be the driver from what I’ve seen over the years.

My question was inquiring w/r to who he's working with on the development of the testing machine, not who he's doing it for. It looks pretty sweet.

 

[mtwarden]

Not sure who is working with, but he’s an engineer by trade

 

[BBob]

He’s been building his own test rigs for a very long time. I’m sure he collaborates to get certain things done but my sense is he does most of it himself.