How to replace harness pad?

[Tortoise]

In my lengthy search for the 'ideal' pack for longer walks, I'm wanting to fix my old comfy Macpac harness.
The pic shows the mesh that used to house firm open cell foam, which has completely disintegrated:

harness.jpg (47.09 KiB) Viewed 10645 times

I should be able to unpick the stitching, insert some new foam, and hand-stitch it back in place. I'm wondering if anybody has a suggestion about what to use. I don't really have any idea what is available, that might be better than just a piece of open cell foam.

Thanks for any ideas.

[Moondog55]

Howzabout using some resinated polyester wall batt insulation?
Won't adsorb water and drys quietly or contact MacPac and ask for a small bit

[andrewa]

The rucksacks I've made have just had closed cell foam as a lumbar pad. I was lucky enough to have some 2 cm thick CCF, but you can always glue thinner stuff together with contact adhesive, and, if you want a slightly softer layer next to your back, then glue some open cell foam on that side. Alternatively, boating places like Whitworth's sell fairly soft ?3 or 4 cm thick CCF boat "cushions", which could be cut thinner. If you want it more breathable, drill holes in it.....or use the CCF mats from camping shops, which are about 1.5 cm thick, but already have holes in them ( the mats that "slot" together).

A

[Tortoise]

Thanks for those ideas, guys. I might try the wall batt insulation first, if I can get hold of a bit. I like the idea of those properties. If i need it firmer, I'll put some CCF underneath it.

Might be a different thread, but i've been so disappointed with CCF these days that quickly squishes down to nothing - and stays that way - if much weight is applied. Do either of you know where you can get the good stuff? Or does nobody make it anymore?

[simonm]

I have used Foamland in Launceston for foam for CCF in the past. They often have cutoffs that you can get a little cheaper as well.

[Tortoise]

Great, thanks Simon.

Do you know if it's the softer stuff that you can easily compress with your fingers, or the firmer older-style CCF that's more solid?

[simonm]

The stuff I got is pretty firm. I bought it for my kayak fit out. If I knew beforehand I could have sent some up to you .

[Tortoise]

The stuff I got is pretty firm. I bought it for my kayak fit out. If I knew beforehand I could have sent some up to you .

Ah well!

Great to hear it's the firm stuff. I was really disappointed with the newer softer stuff that I used for a seat etc etc. It squashed flat and stayed that way if i ever put my weight on the edge. (Fortunately I still have my old bit of the good stuff.) Then when i was using elbow crutches for a while, I padded them with the softer stuff when my hands got sore. Before long, it was useless - <1mm thick, no cushioning. I cut a couple of bits of the firmer stuff for it, which worked perfectly.

[Moondog55]

G'Day Tortoise
Send me a 500g satchel with your name and address on it. I'll send you a couple of bits of the good stuff
PM me for the address I just pulled apart an old day pack and I have some of the proper stuff sitting here

[Tortoise]

G'Day Tortoise
Send me a 500g satchel with your name and address on it. I'll send you a couple of bits of the good stuff
PM me for the address I just pulled apart an old day pack and I have some of the proper stuff sitting here

Hi Moondog, and thanks for your generous offer. It made me remember a possible other piece that I might still have in the bowels of my storage room from an old daypack. I'll check it out and get back to you tomorrow.

Cheers

[Moondog55]

And the Boss wants to know why I never throw anything out

[Tortoise]

Pm sent

[Moondog55]

PM Laughed at

[Tortoise]