 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi there folks,
I'm a Final Year Product Design student at Bournemouth University, and I'm developing a snow sports backpack incorporating solar power to keep mobiles and sound systems charged, while keeping them all safe and protected if you tumble.
Does this sound like something you'd be interested in?
What do you carry when you board, and what would you like to carry?
What do you look for in a backpack?
Any answers would be gratefully accepted - And would really aid the development of the product.
Regards, Mike.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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mikesankey, Hi, welcome to snowheads! 
When I'm skiing I usually take a camelbak with hydration system and enough room for sandwiches, camera, spare hat and a fleece.
If I am going anywhere adventurous I take a bigger pack with Shovel, Probe, Food, Spare gloves, Bottle of water, Camera and also spare layers if its really cold.
I wouldnt really buy a bag with solar technology unless I knew it was completely flexible as Im sure it would be a bit of an investment, and I am prone to making silly mistakes and slamming pretty hard.
Good luck with your product.
George
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Welcome
Some random things I look for in a pack
lightness
comfort
small (16LT)
No loose bit to catch in a chair lift
small pocket for valuables
hydrator system
Rock solid stable on my back (waist strap and chest strap)
low profile ie flat to my back
Hope that help.
Dont think I would value solar power in a day pack, might in an expedition type bag if I was to be remote from a mains power supply
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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You need to decide who to aim it at, or perhaps suggest a range of sacks.
I live in a ski resort, I have three packs. 18L, 30L and 50L. They all house shovel, probe, hydration, first aid kit and then any variation of equipment up to cooking equipment and food and ice climbing gear.
Personally I wouldn't want a solar power job as I don't need the extra weight and: my mobile phone is only switched on for around 40% of the time I'm skiing (possibly interferes with my beacon, and it's annoying) and IMHO music on the slopes should be reserved for people that ski in Andorra.
Having said that, basic design should include:
Top loader
Entry via back section
Good back ventilation
Nice padded, ergonomically designed shoulder straps
Good chest strap (moves up and down)
Good waist strap (with hip pocket and draws to carry climbing racks)
Ski / board carry
Ice axe holders
Pockets
Hydration compatible, with sewn in anti freeze insulation (hide the tube in the strap)
Thermometer, watch, altimeter and compass on the other strap (like a nurses watch)
Good luck.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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mikesankey, assuming you are designing something for the typical recreational skier/boarder who doesn't want to go any great distance off piste or climb rock faces, a couple of things to bear in mind, it should be small, enough space for perhaps a hydration pack, sandwiches, choccie bar, plus perhaps a padded section for a camera and goggles/sunglasses it needs to be slimline so it doesn't radically alter balance, it should be worn high on the back so that you don't need to take it off on chairlifts, there must be no sharp/hard edges to injure you in a fall and it must be comfortable and not restrict movement.
Now if you can manage all that and include some sort of solar trickle charger you may have something 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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parlor,
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IMHO music on the slopes should be reserved for people that ski in Andorra
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Or Verbier 
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mikesankey, this maybe a stupid question, but
Don't the typical mobile and iPod battery last more than a day anyway? Why do you need to "keep it charged" while out on the snow?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Hi there all, cheers for your responses, taking all this on board, some really useful info here, thanks 'jbob', 'DG Orf', 'Parlor' and 'George 1'
Hi 'abc'
I appreciate that under great conditions fully charged mobiles and Ipods could last the day, but under the duress of cold conditions, and with heavy use, the battery can run down a lot quicker - I've got a 3rd gen and an iPod Video, and those batteries can get nailed through heavy use, or in cold weather - As with my mobile phone, a Motorola Z3 - I fully understand your question, the solar panel is there for when you need that boost when it's not fully charged!
Regards All - Please keep it flowing in!
Thanks Again.
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