This text is collecting data and descriptions of different technologies, systems and materials used in Vaude backpacks for the year 2011. All the information are from the own brand Vaude.

Suspension systems

What makes up a VAUDE suspension system?

• It lies close to the body and distributes the load evenly over the entire back without causing any pressure points.
• It allows for even load distribution over the shoulder and hips.
• It creates space between the backpack and back so air can circulate freely.
• Rather than pushing against a person’s back when fully loaded, the pack retains its shape and distance from the back.
• The hipbelt can be fine-tuned to fit the hips comfortably without creating any gaps. This guarantees that the weight of the load is directly transferred onto the hips.
• The wearer’s freedom of movement is not impaired.

Types of suspension systems

Proflex

The Proflex suspension system was especially engineered for alpine use. The extra lightweight body-contact back is designed to be extremely comfortable and flexible. This flexibility was achieved by omitting a backplate, and is essential when you need full freedom of movement for alpine activities such as climbing. A light, specially curved aluminum frame ensures reliable stability and can be quickly removed if required. We have chosen to use an innovative construction with specially moulded foam to enhance the wearing and carrying comfort of the system. The strategically positioned form of the back section conforms to the curve of the spine. The viscoelastic foam prevents pressure spots and ensures that the pack goes along with the wearer’s movements. Proflex lets you wear your pack close to your body when you need more stability on alpine terrain.

Examples of Vaude backpacks with this suspension system:

Vaude Conex 35+10 Backpack

Anatomic NT

This suspension system features a body-hugging fit and stable load balance. A backplate ensures even load distribution over the entire back. The backpack will not warp or deform against the back when fully loaded and is therefore extremely stable for packing.

Individually welded Tergo Pads are positioned along the curve of the spine. These pads do not absorb moisture and are designed to created ventilation channels that permit air to circulate freely for suspensions ventilation.

Examples of Vaude backpacks with this suspension system:

Vaude Rock 45+10 Backpack

Vaude Ultralight Comfort 25 Backpack

Aeroflex

We have made our time-tested Aeroflex suspension system even more comfortable. Thanks to a new material, the back mesh lays even more comfortably against your back, without reducing ventilation. The large ventilation space between the mesh and the backpack still ensures excellent 3-ways ventilation of the back. A lightweight spring wire frame stabilizes the backpack and maintains full ventilation, even when the pack is fully loaded.

Examples of Vaude backpacks with this suspension system:

Vaude Ultrahiker 30 Backpack

Vaude Ultrahiker 20 Backpack

Aeroflex Easy Adjust

The redesigned Aeroflex Easy Adjust is an all-rounder of backpack suspension systems. We have used a new Aeroflex-mesh and have improved the Easy Adjust adjustment mechanism. It is no longer adjusted using a connecter behind the mesh but rather by pulling on adjustment loops to increase tension on the mesh across the frame like tightening the string on a bow. Tension on the mesh is released by loosening the two quick-release buckles. This provides continuous adjustment of the mesh tension: when you want a lot of ventilation, tighten the mesh. When you want better balance of the load, loosen the mesh. Aeroflex Easy Adjust provides not only optimal 3-way ventilation of your back, but also a broad range of uses for the pack.

Examples of Vaude backpacks with this suspension system:

Vaude Brenta 42 Backpack

Vaude Brenta 34 Backpack

Vaude Wizard Air 30+4 Backpack

Tergolight

The classic for trekking and mountain touring. Comfortable to carry, it is easy to adjust, dimensionally stable and helps distribute the load onto the hipbelt.

A pull mechanism at the back lets one quickly and optimally adjust the back length to the fit the wearer’s individual body size.

Examples of Vaude backpacks with this suspension system:

Vaude Cimone 40+8 Backpack

Vaude Astra Light 60 Backpack

Tergolight Easy Adjust

Best suited for long trekking and mountain tours, and can be adjusted to custom-fit the wearer without having to first remove the pack. Tergolight Easy Adjust has a pull loop at the hipbelt that lets you adjust the back length of the pack while it is still being worn.

Examples of Vaude backpacks with this suspension system:

Vaude Terkum 65+10 II Backpack

Summary of different suspension systems and preferential use

Vaude Technology

With the F.L.A.S.H. system you can fully adjust the length of your pack shoulder straps quickly and easily. An easy-access Velcro closure at the back lets you regulate your ideal strap length. F.L.A.S.H. is used in conjunction with the Aeroflex suspension system.

The F.L.A.S.H. NT system has two pull loops that allow you to precisely adjust the length of the shoulder straps quickly and comfortably. A pull system at the point where the shoulder straps exit the pack lets you adjust the individual length of the shoulder straps for custom-fitting comfort. F.L.A.S.H. NT is used in conjunction with the Anatomic NT and Ergonomic suspension systems.

The TWIST2FIT system makes it possible to adjust the hipbelt so that it fits both women and men. With a rotary ratchet located at the hipbelt, the angle of the belt can be adjusted so that it lies perfectly on the hips, optimally absorbing and transmitting the load over the entire pelvis region. With Twist2Fit it is no longer necessary to create different hipbelts for women and men.

Specifications and adaptations of Vaude Backpacks

Women

For women by women: The women developing our backpacks have worked closely together with experienced mountain sports women, contributing their years of experience to develop products especially conceived to meet women’s needs.

Products with the Woman Flower label are created for all women; for the occasional sportswoman through to the ambitious mountain sports athlete with specific female demands on performance, form and colour.

Women specific and innovative features, such as shoulder straps and hipbelts designed precisely for woman’s anatomy and made with very soft padding materials, detachable lid pockets with organizer compartments and light coloured interiors of the compartments to make it easier to find accessories. The whole collection is colour-coordinated making it easy to combine with other product groups.

Ultralight

The Ultralight icon identifies VAUDE backpacks that belong to the lightest in their class available on the market today. Their minimal weight is made possible by extremely lightweight materials and by paring them down to the most necessary features.

ShieldTech

VAUDE SHIELD TECH protects the backpack at high wear-and-tear points with an additional abrasion-print. This improves abrasion resistance in these areas and increases the lifespan of the backpack.

Anatomic NT Ultralight

This system provides a body-hugging fit and stable load balance. The removable backplate makes this backpack an absolute lightweight when it comes to carrying your load.

CORDURA hace referencia al tipo de material con el que está hecho la mochila. Este material es de la casa DuPont y tiene bastante prestigio para el cliente más técnico debido a sus excelentes características de resistencia y peso.

ELINK

You can detach the hipbelt and use the e-link to attach your pack directly to your Edelrid climbing arness – one less thing to get in your way.

Ultra Seam Tech

Ultra Seam Tech is our label for the use of or combination of four technologies. With Ultra Seam Tech, two materials are permanently bonded together without using needle and thread. Seams are absolutely waterproof with this technology. The backpacks have a lower total weight because seams allowances and thread aren’t needed. The materials has a higher tensile strength, because the fabric isn`t perforated by a needle.

Vent-TEX

The VENT-TEX suspension system was revamped once again in order to guarantee greatest possible comfort for bike riding. The mesh back padding design consist of two large pads positioned on either side of the spine. The padding does not absorb moisture and creates a large ventilation channel that keeps air circulating freely for best possible ventilation. Vent-Tex also features an anatomic back panel that conforms to the curve of the back for riding a bike.

The back panel ensures that the load is comfortably distributed. The backpack does not warp or deform against the wearer’s back when fully loaded. Vent-Tex backpacks offer superior packing stability.