Fibrous microplastics (FMPs) are ubiquitous worldwide, existing from lands to oceans and from surface waters to sediments. Ingestion and toxic effects of FMPs have been detected in organisms. FMPs released...

To assess the thermoregulatory capacities of backpack-designs, five male participants were equipped with a temperature and moisture measuring system. Relative humidity (rH) and temperature (T) were measured underneath the participants’ t-shirt—microclimate (MC)—and between shirt and backpack—interlayer climate (ILC). Participants completed a test protocol simulating a hiking exercise in three conditions in a randomized order: (W) without backpack and (B1-B2) with each of the backpacks (total weight: 5.4 kg). The test-protocol consisted of a 5-min rest, 10-min walk at 4 km/h without gradient, 15-min walk at 4 km/h with 8% incline, and a final 10-min rest. Results showed that the temperature and absolute humidity (aH) values generally decreased from the microclimate to the interlayer climate. Differences of up to ΔT = 1.27 °C and ΔaH = 2.55 g/m3 in the microclimate of the upper back area were observed for different backpack designs, indicating the influence of backpack design on thermoregulation.

The aim of this project was to evaluate effects of backpacks with different design intended for use during cycling on skin-close temperature and relative humidity, oxygen uptake, heart rate and aerodynamic drag. Seven subjects took part in the study cycling on a mountain bike mounted on a “smart trainer” placed on a force plate in a wind tunnel. Three series of experiments were carried out: without backpack, with conventional backpack and with a backpack having innovative rear panel design. As hypothesized, the results showed that an innovatively designed backpack with the ducts deflecting part of the airflow towards some areas of the user’s back provided lower temperature and relative humidity for the microclimate compared to a conventional backpack without airflow channels. Further, reference tests without any backpack resulted in the lowest temperature and humidity. However, no differences were found between the three tests for oxygen uptake, heart rate and aerodynamic drag.