Abstract: A back pack or fanny pack using a hip belt to secure the pack to a wearer's waist. This pack includes a padded lumbar pad positioned vertically along the lumbar region of a wearer's spine. The lumbar pad, which is constructed of flexible padding, is secured to the pack at an upper and lower surface of the lumbar pad. A padded hip belt is positioned between the lumbar pad and the pack. The hip belt is used to anchor a pair of straps, each connected to one end of a stay secured to the pack. The stay is positioned between the lumbar pad and the pack and extends across the wearer's back substantially parallel with the hip pad. When the straps are pulled taut about the body of a wearer, the stay is forced into the wearer's back causing the lumbar pad to be pressed into the lumbar region of the wearer to concentrate the weight of the pack at the lumbar region of the wearer.

Abstract: A backpack including a stiffened but bendable planar element which is held in a pocket secured to the backpack bag to provide a flexible pack frame. The pack frame supports a VELCRO portion located on the side of the frame adjacent the backpack bag forming one side of a second pocket sized to receive the ends of a pair of shoulder straps for holding the backpack bag. The two shoulder straps are provided with corresponding VELCRO portions at the ends to be inserted into the second pocket for gripping the VELCRO associated with the pack frame. Further, each shoulder strap has a stiffening element sewn inside the strap adjacent the portion where the VELCRO of the strap is located which assists the gripping action of the VELCRO when the backpack bag is carried by a user.