Macpac

Explorer™ load-carrying system
AirSupply™ load-carrying system
550D Polyester Fabric
Child Carrier Fitting Instructions - Vamoose, Possum
Child Carrier Fitting Instructions – Bambina
Choosing a Pack Size
Cleaning and Care

Load-carrying systems

Explorer™ load-carrying system

The benefits
• Enables you to carry your child in comfort
• Enables you to move and balance easily when moving over uneven terrain

With each step you take you lean backwards and forwards and side to side. This changes the shape and length of your spine, torso and muscles. If your harness does not flow with your body then you will struggle to move easily and will find it difficult to balance. This increases the risk of skin pressure, chafing and muscle and skeletal strains.
We have designed a harness that synchronises with the complex movements of your body, thereby providing greater comfort.

The Explorer™ Harness gives you increased flexibility and freedom when carrying your child.

Hipbelt
A dense, triple-layer foam hipbelt spreads the load that has been transferred through the Quantum Torsion Bar™ and internal frame bars over the entire hip area. Spreading the load prevents a single pressure point from forming and helps you to balance easily. The combination of three foam layers provides firm yet responsive support with minimum weight. The hipbelt also enables your hips and buttocks to move independently from your carrier.

Internal frame bar and back extension
A contoured internal vertical frame bar distributes the load weight from your shoulders and spine down to your lower lumbar area. The back extension changes shape as you move by stretching and compressing with your spine. This prevents the hipbelt from riding up off your hips.

Lumbar pad
The lumbar pad provides back support and encourages you to stand upright, while helping the harness sit comfortably in the curve of your lower back. Highly breathable AirMesh™ fabric reduces the build-up of perspiration against your back, keeping you dry and comfortable.

AirSupply™ load-carrying system

Lightweight load carrying in the outdoors.
The benefits
• Enables you to carry a light load (up to 10kg) in comfort
• Keeps you dry from perspiration when training hard or in hot conditions
• Provides synergy between you and your load
• Gives you increased enjoyment of your outdoor experience

AirSupply™ theory
Stable fit
In order to maximise the carrying stability of the pack the AirSupply™ harness features dual contact points in the lumbar region. This broadens the contact between the pack harness and your back preventing the pack from swinging from side to side.

AirMesh™
The configuration of the contact points enables air to channel around your back, maximising ventilation. Ventilation is further enhanced with the use of AirMesh™ fabric. AirMesh™ fabric works by wicking perspiration away from your skin. This keeps you drier and more comfortable when you are working hard or in hot conditions. AirMesh™ fabric also provides valuable padding from your load.

Back panel
Weight transfer from the shoulders to the hip region is achieved through a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) framesheet that incorporates twin aluminium stays. The stays allow the back panel to be shaped to suit individual needs, optimising spinal comfort. Not all AirSupply™ harnesses have HDPE framesheet.

Hipbelt
The strong and flexible hipbelt with hip-fin stabiliser straps cinches the load close to your body to reduce lateral sway when balance is critical. A double adjusting hipbelt buckle tightens to give a precise fit. Not all AirSupply™ harnesses have a hipbelt.

Fabric

Constructed from 550 denier polyester fibres and coated with polyurethane, 550D polyester fabric is tough and water resistant. The soft handle and resistance to high wear means 550D polyester is ideal for products in daily use.

Child Carrier Fitting Instructions

Vamoose and Possum
WARNING Do not leave the child unattended in this carrier.
WARNING Do not use until the child can sit unaided.
WARNING When the child is in the carrier, they may be in a position higher than the carer. Care should therefore be taken
to be aware of hazards: e.g. Door frames, low branches
of trees, etc.
WARNING When using the carrier, the carer shall be aware of
the following:
• Your balance may be adversely affected due to movement
of the child and also the carer
• You will need to take great care when bending or leaning forward; the carrier is suitable for use when undertaking leisure activities but not for sports activities
• Care should be taken when putting on or removing the carrier
• Be aware that the child in the carrier may suffer from the effect of the weather and temperature before you do
• The child in the carrier may also become tired and it is recommended to make frequent breaks
• Care should be taken to avoid injury to the child’s feet when the carrier is on or near the floor

To identify your specific carrier please refer to the name label sewn onto the product on the lower, right side panel.
The maximum recommended load for your Macpac child carrier is 20kg.

Instructions for assembling your child carrier
Your carrier comes assembled, with the hinged frame folded flat in its storage or transport position. To ready it for use, fully open the zipped lower compartment and fold the hinged base frame into position. Slide the locking supports into position in the hinge mechanism to lock the frame in place. There is one support for each hinge. Ensure the locking button is visible and preventing the support from disengaging with the hinge (see diagram).

Once the base frame is in position, zip the lower compartment closed, stand the carrier upright and ready the child seat for use by gently pulling it open.
To fold the frame flat for storage or transport reverse the above procedure. To disengage the support from the hinge depress the locking button then ease the support along the frame until it clears the button. Ensure the supports are clear of the hinge and fold the frame flat.

Fitting the harness to your body
Note: The Vamoose and Possum use a special harness system that provides maximum adjustment so it can fit more than one person. Please use the following instructions to fit your Vamoose or Possum. To fit the Koala follow steps 1, 2, 4, 5
and 6, ignoring step 3.

Step one: Fit the hip belt
• Put approximately 6kg in your pack to simulate in use weight.
• Loosen the shoulder straps adjustment webbing and    buckles (1), side stabiliser straps (2), and top stabiliser
straps (3).
• Put the pack on.
• Position the hip belt on your hips—not on your waist. The top of the hip belt needs to be on your hipbone. Fasten the hip belt buckle (5). The hip belt buckle should be just under your belly button.

Step two: Adjust the shoulder pads
• Tighten the shoulder strap adjustment (1) until they are comfortable. When the shoulder straps are adjusted correctly they should curve neatly over your shoulders without leaving any gaps and without cutting into your arms. Adjusting the chest strap (7) will also give a comfortable fit- see step four.

Step three: Adjust the harness/back length
• The back length of the harness can be adjusted quickly and easily to fit the most people.
• Take the pack off and lie it down with the harness facing up/towards you.
• At the base of the harness there is the harness length adjustment webbing, which is the yellow webbing tucked
in behind the lumbar pad.
• The harness length adjustment strap (8), and  the harness length adjustment buckle are attached to the shoulder pads via the shoulder pad yoke (9). Pull the Harness length adjustment strap tighter /down to shorten the back length of the harness. Ease/lengthen the harness adjustment strap to increase the back length of the harness.
• Once the back length is adjusted, give the shoulder straps an upward tug (toward the top of the pack) to see where they will sit when under load.
• Put the pack back on your pack, do up the hip belt buckle (5) in the correct position (the top of the hip belt needs to be
on your hipbone) and tighten the shoulder pad adjustment straps (1) until they are comfortable.

Step four: Adjust chest strap
• Do up the chest strap (7). Adjust the height of the chest strap (it slides up and down the shoulder pads. The chest strap should be 3cm (2 fingers widths) below the top of your sternum bone (your sternum bone is located at the top, centre of your chest strap).

Step five: Adjust side stabiliser straps
• By adjusting the side stabiliser straps (2) you can control the amount of movement (pivoting of the hips) between the loaded pack and your body. Tighten the straps to reduce independent hip movement and to increase the load transfer onto your hips. Ease the straps off to gain greater freedom of movement with your hips.

Step six: Adjust the top stabiliser straps
* By tightening the top stabiliser straps (3) it will bring the top of the load forward over your shoulders and closer to your centre of balance where the load will be more stable and easier to carry.

Loading your child into the carrier
For safe use of the carrier the child’s harness should be securely fastened and adjusted in accordance with these instructions every time you use the carrier. The first few times you load the carrier it is recommended you have the assistance of a helper to read the instructions and help with loading the child as necessary. Once you become familiar with loading the carrier you should be able to manage this without further assistance.



Step one: Prepare the child’s cockpit for loading.
• Loosen the seat’s left and right side compression straps (1) just enough to load your child.
• Undo the left and right side shoulder strap adjustment webbing and buckles (2) and the shoulder pad sternum strap (3).
• Adjust the seat height using the adjustment strap (4) located just below the pack’s grab handle (5). Loosening the strap lowers the seat height. Tightening the strap raises it.  The top of your child’s shoulders should be approximately level with, or just below, the top of the rear of the seat.
• Note that the first time you load your child into the carrier you may not have the seat height set correctly. If you need to adjust the seat height, remove your child from the carrier before adjusting it further.

Step two: Ensure the carrier is stable
• Ensure the carrier is on flat level ground for maximum loading stability.
• Stand on both footstraps to further help keep the carrier in
an upright position while loading your child.

Step three: Load your child into the carrier
• Load your child into the carrier facing forward (ie, in the direction of the adult’s harness and the direction you will face when carrying the pack) with their legs straddling the seat.
• The seat is intended to act like a saddle with the child’s left leg exiting through to the left side of the carrier and their right leg exiting to the right.

Step four: Adjust the shoulder pads
• Once your child is comfortably seated engage the left and right shoulder strap buckles and  tighten the adjustment webbing (2) until they are comfortably snug on your child.
• When the shoulder straps are adjusted correctly they should curve neatly over the shoulders without leaving any gaps and without cutting into your child’s arms.

Step five: Adjust the chest strap
• Do up the sternum strap (3) and adjust the webbing.
The width of the webbing should be adjusted so as to
prevent the shoulder pads slipping off to the side of your child’s chest.
• Adjust the height of the chest strap (it slides up and down
the shoulder pads). The chest strap should run approximately across the centre of your child’s sternum bone.

Step six: Adjust the seat’s side compression straps
• Tighten the side compression strap (1) webbing so as to
provide a snug fit with your child and prevent excess swaying
of your child while being carrier.
• Check the compression straps are not overtightened. You should be able to slide your flattened hand comfortably between your child’s chest and the carrier.

Care and Maintenance
To get the best from your Macpac child carrier we recommend regular cleaning and the following maintenance.
Clean your pack with a natural, non-detergent soap, a soft-bristled brush and cold water. Suitable soap types are: pure soap, vegetable soap, Nikwax Tech Wash or Lux Soap Flakes.
The head pad that sits in front of the child is removable for washing. Simply undo the press studs and hook and loop fastener.
The shoulder pads are also removable for cleaning. Unclip the left and right shoulder pad adjustment buckles as described previously. Unthread the webbing tail from the buckle in the centre back of the child’s seat. To ensure safe operation of the carrier the webbing must only be rethreaded as pictured (see diagram).
The child’s seat is removable too. Unthread the seat height adjustment webbing from in front of the seat. Unthread the webbing tail from the buckle in the centre back of the child’s seat. To ensure safe operation of the carrier the rear seat webbing must only be rethreaded as pictured (see diagram). Rethread the adjustment webbing on the front of the seat as pictured (see alternate diagram).

You can place removable compon ents of the child cockpit and harness in a washing machine on a gentle cycle using cold wash. Do not use bleach or fabric softeners. Do not dry clean any part of your pack.
Once clean rinse the pack well and dry it in a well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight. Store in a dry, well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight.

Maintenance
Little maintenance is required other than cleaning.
Periodically clean and lubricate the zip teeth, especially when zips have been used extensively and in dusty or dirty environments. You can use a food grade silicone spray, a “dry” Teflon bicycle chain lubricant or a wax based lubricant. Avoid oil or petroleum based lubricants as these may stain and damage the fabrics and components.
Periodically inspect buckles, hinges, fabric and the frame for signs of wear or fatigue, particularly after prolonged use. Immediately check these areas if you suffer an accident with your carrier. If at any stage you notice damage to any part of your carrier discontinue use immediately until you have had the issue resolved.
Use only genuine Macpac additional or replacement parts. These should only be obtained from Macpac or an authorised distributor. Contact the store you purchased your carrier from to arrange repairs or replacement parts.

Intended function
Your Macpac child carrier is intended to carry your child in, on your back, while walking only.
It is not intended to safely carry your child in while engaged in sporting activities such as skiing, cycling, running, or other similarly vigorous activities that could affect the safety of you and your child. It is not intended as a restraining device for use
in motor vehicles.

Bambina Fitting Instructions

The Bambina infant carrier is designed to carry infants aged between 1-6 months. The smallest infant must be able to sit comfortably with its arms above the lower side adjustment strap. If the infant is facing forwards, the body of the seat must not obscure its face. The largest infant must be able to sit comfortably with its shoulders below the upper side adjustment strap so that it is restrained form falling out. The carrier should never be loaded or unloaded when standing, and the infant's head should always be supported.

Putting on the Harness
1. The harness should be slipped over the shoulders with the remaining padded panel positioned on your back. Once in position, the waist belt can be fastened and tightened to comfort. The shoulder straps should also be tightened to comfort. The large buckle on the waist belt should be positioned at the front of the waist belt, and the smaller buckles that are attached to the webbing straps which run from the shoulder pads should be loosened off as far as possible.

Please note that the baby can face either way in the seat. However, the seat itself is always attached to the harness in the same way, with the Macpac logo ALWAYS facing towards the front of the seat (i.e. away from the parent when wearing the carrier).

2. The next step in fitting the Bambina is to undo the side adjustment straps and lay the seat flat. The position of the large tongue at this stage will determine which way the baby will face in the seat. If the baby is to face inwards (i.e. towards the parent), the tongue should be lying flat on the larger panel of the seat (the panel with the Macpac logo on the other side). If the baby is to sit facing outwards (i.e. away from the parent), the tongue should be lying flat on the smaller panel of the seat (the panel with the instruction label on the other side).

3. Next, the baby should be placed with its back on the tongue, and its head at the tip of the tongue. This step is the same irrespective of which way the baby will ultimately be facing. The panel at the baby's feet can then be flipped on top of the baby, and the side adjustment straps connected and tightened to the usual sensible amount. Make sure that the baby's arms are above the lower side adjustment straps when they are fastened. The seat is now ready to be attached to the harness.

4. The parent should move to the carrier seat (as opposed to lifting the seat up to the parent) and clip the large buckle at the base of the seat into the buckle that should be positioned at the front of the waist belt on the harness. If the baby is going to be facing away from the parent, the baby must be carefully turned over at this stage before the buckle is connected. It will be clear if this is necessary because the Macpac logo will be facing the parent when the side adjustment straps are connected. The Macpac logo should always be facing away from the parent when the seat is attached to the harness. If the baby will be facing inwards, the Macpac logo will already be facing outwards when the large buckle is attached so it is not necessary to turn the baby over.

5. Finally, the parent should lean over the baby and clip the buckles at the end of the webbing straps running from the shoulder straps on the harness, into the remaining buckles on the seat. The parent can then carefully stand up and tighten the newly clipped buckles as required. Please note that the baby's head should be supported as necessary at any stage of this entire operation.

The Bambina can be removed by simply reversing this process.