AeroFly Suspension - Bag Kelty - Free user manual and instructions

USER MANUAL AeroFly Suspension Kelty

Back view of a black backpack with gray straps, viewed from the side (no text or symbols visible)

INSTRUCTION INDEX

Safety Warnings p. 2-3

Care & Cleaning p. 3

Suspension Features p. 4

Custom Fitting your Pack p. 5-9

Packing Hints p. 10-11

Kelty Warranty p. 12

SAFETY INFORMATION -IMPORTANT-

• Read, and follow, all instructions before using this backpack!
• Failure to follow these warnings could result in a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided could cause rapid fatigue, death, serious injury or permanent disability to you or others.

WARNING indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.

CAUTION indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in property damage.

WARNING

THIS BACKPACK MAY AFFECT YOUR COORDINATION AND BALANCE

• Before use, DO familiarize yourself with the added weight of the pack and contents.
• DO use a spotter to assist when hoisting pack onto shoulders.
• When strapping items such as skis to pack, be aware that they can catch on overhead obstructions causing you to lose your balance and fall.
• DO NOT overload pack, don't carry more weight than you can manage.

WARNING

PROTECT YOURSELF

• DO NOT place backpack near a campfire, stove or any open flame.
- Only carry liquid fuel in containers approved for such use and make sure they are tightly sealed before placing in a pack.

CAUTION

DO NOT USE A DAMAGED BACKPACK

• DO check the condition of the backpack before each use.
• DO check to assure all buckles snaps, straps, and adjustments are secure before each use.
• DO NOT use pack if the frame, fabric, straps or buckles are damaged.
• DO NOT use pack if pack is damaged in any way.
• DO NOT leave (store) a pack in direct sunlight. Ultra-violet light will cause materials to weaken and fade.
• For assistance in repairing your pack or answering any questions, call Kelty Customer support staff; toll free at 866-349-7225 (866-FIX-PACK).

CARE AND CLEANING

1. Brush off loose dirt with a dry brush.
2. As needed, wipe out the inside with a damp sponge and mild soap.
3. Rinse only, if possible. Use cold water and a sponge or rinse in a tub without soap.
4. Machine wash in front-loading unit (DO NOT use machine with agitator, agitator could cause damage not covered under warranty) with cold water and mild soap (Ivory Flakes, Woolite, Sport Wash, Etc.) Not detergents.
5. DO NOT soak in soapy water, it may cause damage to the coated fabric.
6. Rinse thoroughly to eliminate soap residue.
7. DO NOT use a dryer, air dry only.
8. Always store in a cool, dry area.

ZIPPER CARE

1. Keep loose threads trimmed.
2. Keep free from dirt.
3. Spray periodically with a non-greasy, non-staining silicone spray designed for fabrics.
4. To prevent salt water corrosion on zipper pulls, make sure you rinse with clear water after exposure.

1. SUSPENSION FEATURES The AeroFly™ suspension features:

Breathable waistbelt, backpanel and shoulder straps provide unmatched ventilation.

2. FITTING YOUR PACK

Follow these steps IN SEQUENCE to achieve the best fit every time you use your pack. Refer to the figure on page 4 to identify pack parts.

Before starting, loosen all load-lifter & belt stabilizer straps.

A. FIRST weight the pack with at least 25 lb. (35 lb. is ideal).
B. NEXT put the pack on and tighten the waistbelt. Make sure you place the waistbelt in the proper location (Figures 2A & 2B).

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

It is recommended to wear the belt on hip bones, just under the rib cage. If you still prefer to wear the belt low, add one to two inches to your torso length measurement. Figure 2A shows both the preferred placement of the waistbelt and an example of a belt worn low. The low position is not recommended. Once positioned correctly, tighten the belt to prevent it from sliding. (A good rule of thumb is to have the belt buckle approximately over your belly button.)

Benefits of wearing the belt high on the waist:

• Proper loading of the skeletal frame, further supported by the two strongest muscle groups in the body: the quadriceps & gluteals.
• Blood flow & nerves route across the front of the hips; wearing the belt too low can restrict blood flow causing muscle fatigue, nerve pinching and possible numbness.

C. Once the waistbelt is in the correct position, tighten the shoulder straps. To tighten shoulder straps pull the webbing at the lower ends of the shoulder strap down & back. The pad of the shoulder strap should start one to two inches below the top of your shoulder (Figure 2C). (Put a little more load on your shoulders than you want to end up with.) During this operation the load-lifter straps should be kept loose.

With the waistbelt positioned correctly and the shoulder straps as shown below, you have achieved a perfect fit.

If you do not have the correct shoulder strap position, you will need to adjust the torso length as directed in the following section.

Figure 2C

Back view of a backpack with arms raised, showing no text or symbols

Figure 2D

Close-up of a black and white athletic jacket with a downward arrow indicating compression or force (no text or symbols)

Figure 2E

Back view of a backpack with white arrows indicating compression or lifting process (no text or symbols)

Figure 2F

Close-up of a black and white abstract object with curved surfaces (no text or symbols visible)

Figure 2G

a. From the bottom side of the pack or behind the waistbelt, slide your hand between the mesh backpanel and the packbag (Figure 2D) and release the yellow hook and loop. (Figure 2E)

b. While your hand is between the mesh backpanel and the packbag, adjust the shoulder straps by moving them up or down. (Figure 2F)

Adjusting the shoulder pads up or down will change the position of the shoulder straps and adjust the torso length of your pack.

c. Once you adjust the shoulder straps position, reattach the yellow hook and loop strap. Properly adjusted yellow hook and loop strap should be adjusted as shown. (Figure 2G)

Back view of a person wearing a backpack with straps and straps (no visible text or symbols)

Figure 2H

D. Snug the load-lifter straps (Figure 2H)

This lifts the shoulder straps (and the pack's weight) off the top of your shoulders. Don't allow the load-lifters to pull the shoulder straps more than 1/2" off your shoulder, or it will cause pressure points.

Close-up of a person wearing a dark suit and white harness, with a white double-headed arrow indicating a measurement or alignment (no text or symbols present)

Figure 21

E. OPTIONAL-

Position the sternum strap (Figure 2l) on your chest, and pull it snug. The sternum strap should cross your chest high, just below your clavicle, so it doesn't interfere with your breathing. Some people find it more comfortable not to use the sternum strap when breathing hard—especially at altitude.

Close-up of a person's backrest and seat with black straps and arrows indicating movement (no text or symbols)

Figure 2J

F. OPTIONAL-

Pull the belt stabilizers just snug

(Figure 2J). Overtightening causes gaps between you and the belt. Belt stabilizers are best left loose for the first 15-30 minutes of hiking.)

4. PACKING HINTS

Loading the pack greatly affects your comfort. Follow the guidelines below for optimum comfort.

Illustration of a seated human figure with abstract shading and connected points (no text or symbols)

MEDIUM ITEMS

• Cooking utensils
• Some clothing
• Some foods
• Tent body and fly

LIGHTTEST ITEMS

• Sleeping bag
• Pad
• Rain, wind gear
  • Bivy sack
• Bulky clothing/ fleece

NOTE: If your pack feels like it's leaning away too much from your shoulders, you have a weight distribution problem.

HEAVY ITEMS

• Water
• Stove
• Fuel
• Food
• Tent poles

Hints to keep you comfortable when out on the trail:

• When balance is crucial for off-trail travel, climbing or skiing, pack heavy items centered and close to the back.
• The sleeping bag should always go in or on the bottom of the pack.
• Pack clothing and other light gear around heavy items (ie. a stove or climbing gear) in order to keep them from shifting.
• Items you will need during the day should be packed in the top of the main compartment, the top pocket, or side pockets.
• Foam pads and odd-sized equipment (such as long tent poles) can be carried on the outside of the pack. Use the appropriate accessory patches, ice axe loop, or ski slots for these items.
• Do not put heavy items like water bottles or climbing equipment in pockets located far from your back.

Diagram showing two backpacks with straps and a curved arrow labeled 'H' (no text or symbols on the backpacks)

HINT: Compression stuff sacks help increase available room in the pack by compressing the size of your sleeping bag.

KELTY Lifetime Warranty

Kelty takes pride in its workmanship and undertakes to manufacture the best possible products. Kelty products are covered under warranty, to the original owner, for the lifetime of the product, against defects in materials or workmanship.

Since no Kelty product is indestructible, Kelty's warranty does not cover defects attributable to or resulting from normal wear and tear (ie: exhausted zippers), natural hazard damage (ie: weather, animals, ultraviolet [UV] damage on tents), abuse or alteration.

All products being returned require a Return Authorization

number. Service under our warranty is available to the original purchaser by returning the product to any authorized Kelty dealer or by contacting our customer service department at 1-866-349-7225 (1-866-FIX-PACK) for a Return Authorization number.

If, after inspection, we determine that the product is defective, we will repair or replace it at our discretion, free of charge. If your Kelty product needs service or repair that is not covered under warranty, we will provide the necessary service at a reasonable charge.

This warranty gives you, the original purchaser, specific legal rights. You may also have other rights, which vary from state to state.