re: weight on shoulders

[phr@netcom.com (Paul Rubin)]

	I have a question for all of you 760 series owners out there,
	and toshiba tecra owners may comment as well.  I realize this
	is a subjective evaluation, but I wonder what you all think
	about the weight of these machines.  Is it so heavy that a
	student carrying one across campus would quickly experience
	shoulder fatigue?

Whether you experience shoulder fatigue depends mostly on your build
and upper body strength.  I am slender and get shoulder fatigue from
anything weighing more than a couple of pounds, i.e.  even just a few
odds and ends in a daypack.  The solution is to use a fanny pack, so
that the weight is carried by your hips rather than your shoulders, as
with a hiking-style backpack.  I use a Dana Designs "Gallatin" which
is extremely well built, has an internal frame, and fits my 755cx
snugly.  They have some bigger models called the Madison and Jefferson
that can hold a a 3-ring binder (the Gallatin is a bit too small for
that).  Jandd Mountaineering and Mountainsmith also make packs like
this.  They are on the expensive side ($75+), but they are incredibly
comfortable.  I use my Gallatin instead of a daypack all the time,
both for hiking and carrying stuff around town.  I hardly notice
the weight even walking around all day.

Dana Designs is in Bozeman, Montana; if you call them (get # from
directory assistance), they should be able to send you a catalog which
has pictures of these packs.  They are one of the top backpack
manufacturers (I bought the Gallatin because I have a Dana backpack
and love it) though their stuff is a bit overpriced.  Jandd and
Mountainsmith probably have catalogs too, but I don't know where
they're located.