I get really painful muscle aches/cramps in my back (Shoulder Blade area) when wearing my Simms Vests but when I just put a couple of small boxes in my shirt pocket I am largely pain free.
Even using an English style shoulder bag is better for my back than wearing a Vest.
I’m wondering if any of you have had similar aches/pains experience and if so, have you tried a Filson Strap Vest and did that help any?
Did any other type vest help? I’m good with cutting down on the amount of “stuff” I carry.
Thanks,
Ken
I go back and forth between a vest and a Army surplus gas mask bag (a single shoulder strap bag). The vest makes my whole back tired after a long day…the bag just my sholder. I sometimes just put a fly box and a pair of nippers in my pocket.
I used to get those same pains until a friend of mine told me that I should from time to time rotate my shoulders and slowly twist from side to side at the waist as well as bend from side to side. I do this about every 15 - 20 minutes for a few seconds and this has done the trick for me.
I had the same problem with my shoulders, back of my neck, and in the past year, my lower back hurting from the weight of my vest…this is what I carry…
5 flyboxes
.25 lb of non-lead shots
Bauer Mackenzie SL1
2 Orvis BBII spools
1 Orvis BBII reel
Tippet Dispenser
Geaks flotant
Small bottle of deet
Net
Tying tool
Measuring tape
Clippers
LED Light with headband
Digital Camera
About 20 pre-packed leaders
License
Plastic box with foam indicators
tiny compass
Forceps
3 spools of Flouro
It’s awesome. I have a hiking backpack, and had often wondered why no one would put the same concept into a fly fishing vest…walla!
The true answer lies in the lumbar support. When tightend around the top of your hip bone the weight becomes supported, and most of the load gets removed from your shoulders. That’s why I can walk for hours with a loaded hiking backpack weighing 30-40 lbs strapped to my back — but supported by my hips. LLBean used the same concept.
Here is a tip: You can probably do something similar and wear a “hip pack” - made for hiking - with your current vest. I would then recommend placing reels, lead shots, keys, digital camera etc… in it. This will take most of the heaviest items off of your shoulders. I think Simms makes them too. Make sure you look for a hip pack that has padded wide hip wraps, and not just a plain strap. The wraps will do just that, wrap around your hips for a more secure and ‘minimal’ slip fit.
I opted to just dish out the $99 for the LLBean. I’m a tech geek for elegant and thoughtful designs.
I always had trouble with vests. I have used chest packs for ten years and have not had the same level of pain, although the 25# of crap I carry around eventually wears on you. You might consider having a custom vest made with a load-bearing harness built in, or go to a chest pack. Filson could be great, never used one, but I would most likely go with something with padded straps.
Interesting this topic should arise whil I’ve been researching packs for fly fishers. LL Bean also makes a back pack for fly fishers with a removable chest pack that attaches on your back while hiking in, then mounts to the front when you get to your destination. Great job with the technical specs, and it has the same lumbar support as the Rapid River Vest Pack. Check it out at http://tinyurl.com/ym53gh I’ve added this item to my Christmas list, and if I don’t get it then I’ll order it for myself on December 26th. (I always get yelled at for buying what I want when I want it, and not waiting for Christmas, birthday, Father’s Day, etc.)
While I don’t have the problem of my heavey fly vest causing me problems I personally have lower back pain. I find when carrying any load a properly fitted system whatever you choose is the key. If it slides and sways your muscles are always compensating.
That said I work Forestry consulting work and my daily forestry cruise vest wieghs in on adverage 30lbs or more depending on the day so my fly vest is light in comparison even with extra gear and water for the day. I find by properly distributing (balanced and with the heavy stuff closer to the waist)it cuts down on the fatigue and back pain problems.
If you can find a load bearing vest type by all means get one, they are the best. My next work vest will be one with an internal frame like a frame pack. I have met guys who have carried in excess of 50lbs 10 hrs a day for work with these who swear by them. SOme of these guys have bought them due to back problems from thier years of old school forestry vests and heavy loads.
Ah ha… I have written about it. The solution is simple. Buy a vest that you ‘must’ use. Buy one that has few pockets. Result is a vest that will save your life, weigh less and make everyday flyfishing more enjoyable!
(hint) http://www.flyanglersonline.com/prorevw/stormyseas.html
Hello Ken, I lucked out and found a chest pack that instantly put an end to my shoulder and back woes brought on by overloaded vests. Contact the Fieldline Company @ 1 800 438 3353x9050 and ask them where you can look at/purchase their ‘Angler’s Chest Pack’. They’re really reasonably priced and heavy duty to boot. I like the forest green, the compactness and the heavy duty features. I slightly altered the smaller straps, making it totally adjustable. No cutting or re-sewing required either. I liked it so much I got three of them.
I think one problem with vests it they hold so much and we think we have to fill them. A friend and I each have an Orvis vest like [url=http://www.orvis.com/store/product_choice.asp?pf_id=818P&dir_id=758&group_id=781&cat_id=5138&subcat_id=6037:2bf43]this[/url:2bf43] and while the stretch mesh distributes weight better it can still get heavy. For warm weather I purchased a Buck’s Bag [url=http://www.bucksbags.com/cm_item.asp?id=225:2bf43]Split chest pack[/url:2bf43]and he got a BB [url=http://www.bucksbags.com/cm_item.asp?id=224:2bf43]Utility chest pack[/url:2bf43]. The Orvis are now gathering dust. Chest packs put no strain on the neck, although the weight is obviously on the shoulders. But, you are forced to carry less - 4 fly boxes only. In addition the BB and probably most other models can be adjusted for girth, so they can be tight enough over a shirt, but in spring or fall can enlarge to go over a jacket.
Despite my Orvis vest (I’ve used up 3) carrying 25-30 lbs of probably non-essential stuff, I’ve improved my back fatigue factor by 2 expedients: 1) a back support strap - I happen to use the Orvis one, but I think the Simms one could do the same thing; 2) much better foot support with Chota STL’s. I really notice now when I wear and walk with bootfoots and hippers.
Still, I like JC’s idea of the Stormy Seas vest. I think I need to get one for floating the Deschutes and when ffishing really cold water. I keep separate vests for bass, steelies, trouts and summer trouting in effect.
But those hi-tech lumbar thangs from Bean or whoever (Wm Joseph too?) has me thinking.
Of course I wear a lot of danglies to be sure my most recent ties are with me. The fact that this aggravates DG is just a bonus.
The only reason I haven’t done the Richardson chest box like so many Keystoner anglers is that I would add it to my gear, not replace the vest as intended.
I think I’ll probably try a Richardson Chest Box System with 3 trays … that should be light enough and will certainly hold more than I “need” for a day.
Thanks all,
Ken
I to got to jump on the vest and back problem. I bought the Simms back brace (which is like the Orvis) but I bought it cause of trying to walk on the rocks, colder water, etc, I was tensing up and that was killing my back. Back brace, and walking staff cured that problem.
I use the Orvis Fanny pack/chest pack combo. I put all the boxes I need in the fanny pack (and that means about 8 system X) and put my tippet and tools in my chest pack. The fanny pack has a built in back brace like my Simms, plus cinch downs so it does flop up and down while walking or running.
I say it will hold that many boxes, but I of course maybe carry 4 at the most if I am not sure, then I have room fo extra reels a camera, munchies, plus two water bottles.
Then of course if wading deeper water, I wear the chest pack only.
