Travel Stuff Sacks - New Kinda Rough Test

[Anniegill]

Hi all!
I am a PT who does home care. I am thinking of putting my Synapse 19 into service for my job. I know it will perform well. The backpack is my "brief case". In it I carry vitals equipment (for BP's etc), cuff weights (adjustable weights), hand weights, gait belt, Therabands, water bottle, and lots of other things I need to do my job. The question I have for all of you is will the travel sack hold up to wear and tear of the little iron weight bars that I use, and must take out and replace into the cuff weights I use. The bars are long and slender and kinda look like a cigar! The steel is rough on some of them. I need a place to corral them, so they are not lost. And I think the draw string travel sack is the item that may do that job for me. Any thoughts from my fellow TB happy users?
Thanks guys!!
Annie G.

[Trailhiker]

Hi all!
I am a PT who does home care. I am thinking of putting my Synapse 19 into service for my job. I know it will perform well. The backpack is my "brief case". In it I carry vitals equipment (for BP's etc), cuff weights (adjustable weights), hand weights, gait belt, Therabands, water bottle, and lots of other things I need to do my job. The question I have for all of you is will the travel sack hold up to wear and tear of the little iron weight bars that I use, and must take out and replace into the cuff weights I use. The bars are long and slender and kinda look like a cigar! The steel is rough on some of them. I need a place to corral them, so they are not lost. And I think the draw string travel sack is the item that may do that job for me. Any thoughts from my fellow TB happy users?
Thanks guys!!
Annie G.

Hmmm,
How long exactly are the bars?

[Anniegill]

Hi Trailhiker! I am one of those too! I estimate the 1/4 weighted bars to be about 4" and the 1/2 # bars to be 6". I have various sizes of travel sacks, and I am wondering if the bars would damage the Dyneema?

[Trailhiker]

Anniegill,

My initial thought is that it would be fine, but it would depend on how "rough" the casting is.
If it were me, I would take those bars to a grinder and smooth them down.
If you don't happen to have one of those in the basement, any metal fabricating shop would have one.
And would probably smooth them down for a promise of a six pack.

[backpack]

An alternative to grinding would be duck tape, you could even color code the duck tape to the weight of the bar.

This could make for a great way to make a color coded chart illustrating the user's progress.

[Anniegill]

Anniegill,

My initial thought is that it would be fine, but it would depend on how "rough" the casting is.
If it were me, I would take those bars to a grinder and smooth them down.
If you don't happen to have one of those in the basement, any metal fabricating shop would have one.
And would probably smooth them down for a promise of a six pack.

Roswell does not have many basements Trailhiker. The ground is harder than cement because of the lack of rain! I can sort through the rougher ones and I'll look into that idea, thanks! I may just try one with the 1/4 # weight bars and see how the wear and tear goes on a travel sack.

[Anniegill]

An alternative to grinding would be duck tape, you could even color code the duck tape to the weight of the bar.

This could make for a great way to make a color coded chart illustrating the user's progress.

Thanks backpack a good idea also, but the little cloth slots that these little guys fit into are pretty small. Picture 10 little 1/4 pound bars that all fit side by side into a holder that is 6-7" tall, that velcro's around someone's ankle via a strap. It's nice because I can adjust these to each patients needs for leg and or arm exercises.

[Melissa]

Annie, not meaning to thread jack you, BUT.....I was wondering if you have any recommendations as a PT for travel pillows? There was some discussion is this thread http://forums.tombihn.com/travel-tip...ing-plane.html. I was hoping you could add some input. I have an upcoming 12 hr flight to Italy. I have cervical displagia (sp?), and am anxious about what condition I will be in after trying to sleep on this long of a flight.

[Melissa]

Hi Trailhiker! I am one of those too! I estimate the 1/4 weighted bars to be about 4" and the 1/2 # bars to be 6". I have various sizes of travel sacks, and I am wondering if the bars would damage the Dyneema?

How bulky are the weights? The knitting tool pouches are designed specifically so that double pointed knitting needle don't poke through. They can accommodate sizes up to 8.25 inches.

Knitting Tool Pouches - Organization for knitting needles and tools - TOM BIHN

[Anniegill]

How bulky are the weights? The knitting tool pouches are designed specifically so that double pointed knitting needle don't poke through. They can accommodate sizes up to 8.25 inches.

Knitting Tool Pouches - Organization for knitting needles and tools - TOM BIHN

Now that may be a good idea to look at too, thankx. I need to post a picture of those darn weights. Jury duty has had me busy! I will look at the neck pillows for you. Off the cuff, when I made that long flight from Denver to Frankfort and then into Rome last spring I had an inflatable neck pillow. To better support the head/neck, I think one that wraps around and "closes" from the front may be beneficial.

[Anniegill]

How bulky are the weights? The knitting tool pouches are designed specifically so that double pointed knitting needle don't poke through. They can accommodate sizes up to 8.25 inches.

Knitting Tool Pouches - Organization for knitting needles and tools - TOM BIHN

I looked at the knitting tool pouches, these would be too small, the weights are too bulky, that's why I was thinking travel sack...
Thanks for idea!

[Anniegill]

Here's a link to the body rest pillow consumer review: Travelrest Travel Pillow Review
The straps would be my "dislike" on this item, I would have to switch sides too often! There maybe a memory foam type pillow that may be more to your liking, these take up room a lot of room though. I used an eagle creek blow up pillow I tucked inside of my synapse 19 for this trip. It filled it's need ok. I just can't sleep on any flight period. Good luck and you will just love Italy, I did!! Good luck with your condition Melissa.