I have been thinking along these lines too (just a thought at present) but my ‘solution’ was more a U-shape (like carrying a bag of grain on your shoulders). The hobo’s swag is another example I suppose. See Humping Your Bluey and The Ultralight Swagman.
This one looks a bit complicated. However, the point is good – one should try to carry the load perched on ones callipygous bottom – as the Bushmen (or women) do. Packs need to be shaped more to fit in to the curve of the spine (the lordosis – two new words for you, perhaps) more, as Mountain Laurel Designs packs are shaped to do, and as this Stout Hiker’s Pack does:
I will be making myself a new pack sometime in the near future which incorporates this idea, and also the enormous improvement of the horse collar over the yoke (which I suspect most backpacks have not realized yet- both top and bottom suspension points are in the wrong place for tone thing). A tump line would also improve the situation.
However, you should have a look at these folks ‘take’ on the idea of chucking the suspension straps altogether. https://www.noshoulderstraps.com/ US$169 (Mar 2022)
