Kelty Backcountry Series User manual

Backcountry Series
–TORNADO-
BACKCOUNTRY SUSPENSION INSTRUCTIONS
Safety Warnings p. 2-3
Care & Cleaning p. 3
Suspension Features p. 4
Custom Fitting your Pack p. 5-9
Frame Shaping p. 9-10
Packing Hints p. 11
Kelty Warranty p. 12
INSTRUCTION INDEX
Save these instructions for future reference.

DO NOT USE A DAMAGED BACKPACK
• DO check the condition of the backpack before each use.
• DO check to assure all buckles snaps, straps, and adjustments
are secure before each use.
• DO NOT use pack if the frame, fabric, straps or buckles are damaged.
• DO NOT use pack if pack is damaged in any way.
• DO NOT leave (store) a pack in direct sunlight. Ultra-violet light
will cause materials to weaken and fade.
• For assistance in repairing your pack or answering any questions,
call Kelty Customer support staff; toll free at 866-349-7225
(866-FIX-PACK).
SAFETY INFORMATION
-IMPORTANT-
• Read, and follow, all instructions before using this backpack!
• Failure to follow these warnings could result in a potentially
hazardous situation which, if not avoided could cause rapid fatigue,
death, serious injury or permanent disability to you or others.
CARE AND CLEANING
1. Brush off loose dirt with a dry brush.
2. As needed, wipe out the inside with
a damp sponge and mild soap.
3. Rinse only, if possible. Use cold
water and a sponge or rinse in a
tub without soap.
4. Machine wash in front-loading unit
(DO NOT use machine with agita-
tor, agitator could cause damage
not covered under warranty) with
cold water and mild soap (Ivory
Flakes, Woolite, Sport Wash, Etc.)
Not detergents.
5. DO NOT soak in soapy water, it
may cause damage to the coated
fabric.
6. Rinse thoroughly to eliminate soap
residue.
7. DO NOT use a dryer, air dry only.
8. Always store in a cool, dry area.
WARNING
THIS BACKPACK MAYAFFECT YOUR
COORDINATION AND BALANCE
• Before use, DO familiarize yourself with the added weight of the
pack and contents.
• DO use a spotter to assist when hoisting pack onto shoulders.
• When strapping items such as skis to pack, be aware that they
can catch on overhead obstructions causing you to lose your
balance and fall.
• DO NOT overload pack, don’t carry more weight than you can
manage.
CAUTION
WARNING
PROTECT YOURSELF
• DO NOT place backpack near a campfire, stove or any open flame.
• Only carry liquid fuel in containers approved for such use and make
sure they are tightly sealed before placing in a pack.
SAFETY INFORMATION
2
SAFETY INFORMATION
3
ZIPPER CARE
1. Keep loose threads
trimmed.
2. Keep free from dirt.
3. Spray periodically with a
non-greasy, non-staining
silicone spray designed
for fabrics.
4. To prevent salt water
corrosion on zipper
pulls, make sure you
rinse with clear water
after exposure.
WARNING indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if
not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not
avoided, could result in property damage.
!
!
!
!
!

SUSPENSION FEATURES
1. SUSPENSTION FEATURES
The Backcountry Tornado suspension features:
4
CUSTOM FITTING YOUR PACK
5
2. FITTING YOUR PACK
Follow these steps IN SEQUENCE to achieve the best fit
every time you use your pack. Refer to the figure on
page 4 to identify pack parts.
Before starting, loosen all load-lifter & belt stabilizer straps.
Figure 2A Figure 2B
hip bone
bottom two ribs
shoulder blade
belly
button
A. FIRST weight the pack with at least 25 lb.
(35 lb. is ideal).
B. NEXT put the pack on and tighten the waistbelt.
Make sure you place the waistbelt in the proper
location (Figures 2A & 2B).
It is recommended to wear the belt on hip bones, just under the
rib cage. If you still prefer to wear the belt low, add one to two
inches to your torso length measurement. Figure 2A shows both
the preferred placement of the waistbelt and an example of a
belt worn low. The low position is not recommended. Once
positioned correctly, tighten the belt to prevent it from sliding.
(A good rule of thumb is to have the belt buckle approximately
over your belly button.)
Benefits of wearing the belt high on the waist:
• Proper loading of the skeletal frame, further supported by
the two strongest muscle groups in the body: the
quadriceps & gluteals.
• Blood flow & nerves route across the front of the hips;
wearing the belt too low can restrict blood flow causing
muscle fatigue, nerve pinching and possible numbness.
recommended
position
low
position
Flexible, PLASTIC
FRAMESHEET gives
vertical support
to the backpanel.
LIGHTBEAM™ STAYS
provide load transfer,
strength and support.
LOAD-LIFTER STRAPS
lift the pack’s weight
off the shoulders.
Anatomically curved
SHOULDER STRAPS
& SHOULDER PANEL
adjust vertically on
the stays for perfect
torso fit.
Contoured WAISTBELT
with Scherer Cinch.
Adjustable height
STERNUM STRAP
helps stabilize load.
BELT STABILIZER STRAPS
on waistbelt help transfer
and control load.
TFO™ HYDRATION reservoir included.

CUSTOM FITTING YOUR PACK
CUSTOM FITTING YOUR PACK
6 7
Figure 2E
Figure 2G
Figure 2D
I. Pull the red webbing
loops down to undo
the velcro (Figure
2D) and then undo
the velcro that
attaches the lumbar
pad to the shoulder
panel to flip down
the lumbar pad
(Figure 2E).
II. Loosen vertical strap
on the yellow
webbing (Figure 2F)
and then slide the
shoulder panel into
the correct position
by pulling up on the
shoulder straps or
down on the yellow
webbing (Figure 2G).
III. Tighten the vertical
webbing and
re-velcro the
lumbar pad and the
red webbing.
2”
0’’
C. Once the waistbelt is in the correct position,
tighten the shoulder straps. To tighten shoulder straps pull
the webbing at the lower ends of the shoulder strap down &
back. The pad of the shoulder strap should start one to two
inches below the top of your shoulder (Figure 2C). (Put a little
more load on your shoulders than you want to end up with.)
During this operation the load-lifter straps should be kept loose.
Figure 2C
start
With the waistbelt positioned correctly and the shoulder straps as
shown below, you have achieved a perfect fit.
If you do not have
the correct shoulder
strap position, you
will need to adjust
the torso length as
directed in the
following section.
TORSO LENGTH ADJUSTMENT
Figure 2F

CUSTOM FITTING YOUR PACK
CUSTOM FITTING YOUR PACK
89
3. FRAME SHAPING
If you have answered “discomfort/pressure” see, the
“Frame Shaping” section on page 10.
When you are walking with weight in the pack, the pack’s
shape should be exactly the same as your back. We put an average
curve into the frame at the factory, but some additional fine-tuning
may be required.
feels great discomfort/
pressure
Area A- Lumbar Pad
(bottom of the belt)
Area B - Shoulder Pad
(top of back)
Area C - Headroom
top
mid
bottom
top
mid
bottom
D. Snug the load-lifter
straps (Figure 2H) This
lifts the shoulder straps (and
the pack’s weight) off the
top of your shoulders. Don’t
allow the load-lifters to pull
the shoulder straps more
than 1/2" off your shoulder,
or it will cause pressure
points. If the pack feels bet-
ter the more you pull the
load lifter, the stays might
need to be adjusted.
E. OPTIONAL-
Position the sternum
strap (Figure 2I) on
your chest, and pull it
snug. The sternum strap
should cross your chest high,
just below your clavicle, so it
doesn’t interfere with your
breathing. Some people find
it more comfortable not to
use the sternum strap when
breathing hard—especially
at altitude.
F. OPTIONAL-
Pull the belt stabilizers
just snug (Figure 2J). If
overtightening them feels
good, you might need to
bend more curve into the
frame in the lumbar region.
Overtightening causes gaps
between you and the belt.
Belt stabilizers are best left
loose for the first 15-30 min-
utes of hiking.
Figure 2I
Figure 2J
Figure 2H
Figure 2K
Area C
Area B
Area A
G. When the waistbelt and
shoulder straps are in the
correct positions, walk
around and notice how
the pack feels against
your back. The pack should
conform to your back as in
(Figure 2K). Use the short
evaluation below to ensure a
great fit. Take notice of any
pressure points and trouble
shoot them in the next section.

FRAME SHAPING
10
PACKING HINTS
11
• When balance is crucial for off-trail travel, climbing or skiing, pack
heavy items centered and close to the back.
• The sleeping bag should always go in or on the bottom of the pack.
• Pack clothing and other light gear around heavy items (ie. a stove or
climbing gear) in order to keep them from shifting.
• Items you will need during the day should be packed in the top of the
main compartment, the top pocket, or side pockets.
• Foam pads and odd-sized equipment (such as long tent poles) can be
carried on the outside of the pack. Use the appropriate accessory
patches, ice axe loop, or ski slots for these items.
• Do not put heavy items like water bottles or climbing equipment in
pockets located far from your back.
Hints to keep you comfortable when out on the trail:
LIGHTEST ITEMS
• Sleeping bag
• Pad
• Rain, wind gear
• Bivy sack
• Bulky clothing/ fleece
HEAVY ITEMS
• Water
• Stove
• Fuel
• Food
• Tent poles
MEDIUM ITEMS
• Cooking utensils
• Some clothing
• Some foods
• Tent body and fly
NOTE: If your pack feels like it’s leaning away too much from your
shoulders, you have a weight distribution problem.
4. PACKING HINTS
Loading the pack greatly affects your comfort–follow
the guidelines below for optimum comfort.
HINT: Compression stuff sacks
help increase available
room in the pack by
compressing the size of
your sleeping bag.
PROBLEM: Pressure at
bottom of belt
Bend at lumbar pad top (X) to
tuck the pad into the small of
your back.
PROBLEM: Pressure
at top of back
Flatten the curve of the frame
where it bows away from the
back.
PROBLEM: Gap at top of
shoulder
Add curve to the frame and
then bend back the top (X).
PROBLEM: Need more
headroom
Bend the frame away from the
head (at X).
HINT: Most bending of the stays can be done over a knee
without taking the stays out of the pack. (Bending and
re-bending the stays won’t hurt them.) Fit your pack with an
average load, wear your hiking boots, and carefully load
your pack with the weight close to your back just like you
would for a trip. Walk around. Use the guide below to
address problems.
HINT: Wearing a pack with wrinkled clothing or seam lumps under
the waistbelt can cause pressure points. Belt loops and
elasticized waistbands are classic sources of discomfort.

KELTY WARRANTY
KELTY Lifetime Warranty
Kelty takes pride in its workmanship and undertakes to manufacture the
best possible products. Kelty products are covered under warranty, to the
original owner, for the lifetime of the product, against defects in materials
or workmanship.
Since no Kelty product is indestructible, Kelty’s warranty does not cover
defects attributable to or resulting from normal wear and tear
(ie: exhausted zippers), natural hazard damage (ie: weather, animals,
ultraviolet [UV] damage on tents), abuse or alteration.
All products being returned require a Return Authorization
number. Service under our warranty is available to the original purchaser
by returning the product to any authorized Kelty dealer or by contacting
our customer service department at 1-866-349-7225 (1-866-FIX-PACK) for
a Return Authorization number.
If, after inspection, we determine that the product is defective, we will
repair or replace it at our discretion, free of charge. If your Kelty product
needs service or repair that is not covered under warranty, we will provide
the necessary service at a reasonable charge.
This warranty gives you, the original purchaser, specific legal rights. You
may also have other rights, which vary from state to state.
6235 LOOKOUT ROAD, BOULDER CO 80301
800.423.2320 • FAX [phone] • WWW.KELTY.COM
12
9/2005