The backpack question

The "front pouch" of a backpack is the pouch one would face first as they're packing it. It has nothing to do with its position while wearing said pack, since you'll never see it that way (or be able to reach anything in it) until you pull it off your back and set it in front of you for unpacking again...

Bruce Brodnax

The front pouch in a backpack is not the main pouch.

Jack Boyle

There is no front . It's a BACKpack

Glenn Kelley

Since in general you can't access much of your pack while wearing it, it is normally used with the frame resting against something and the main pockets facing you....which in that case I'd call the front.

Richard Anderson

If you can walk around to your back, while the backpack is still on your back, then your truck camper analogy works. A backpack is a tool with a carry mode and a use mode. In carry mode, you utilize the straps. In use mode you turn it around and the pockets face you. The orientation of the pockets of the pack itself are only relevant when the tool is in use mode so they face front, top, L/R side or bottom.

Peter Starr

The backpack Kevin is right, but the truck is a failed analogy because its operated from a 3rd person perspective already where the entire body of the truck is positioned one way. The backpack is accessed by removing it and turning it, which causes the first pouch you can access to be the front pouch

Brendan Maier

I don't use either system, I go get whatever-it-is out of my own backpack instead of having to tell somebody else where it is!

David Axel Hansen

Strap side of backpack is the back, "a" side of the truck is front.

Michael Joy

If I place the offending backpack in the bed of a truck against the cab, is it in the front or back of the truck bed? I postulate it is in the back, as I have to "reach all the way *back* there" to retrieve it. Then again, as an engineer, I define the origin for the coordinate system when solving a problem.

Andrey Gardner

hey. that's at least one vote that leftist odd side ain't gonna fake. at least one should think so. then again...

Guido Schriewer

Accessing a backpack yourself while it is still on your back is a very difficult gymnastic activity. Thus a backpack is most usually accessed by someone other then the wearer or by the wearer removing the backpack before accessing it. Thus the "pickup truck camper" analogy is "apples & oranges" and thus why the backpack as far as "front & back, right & left" is most often referred to from the point of view of someone other then the wearer accessing the pack rather then the point of view of the wearer. Because as I said it is rarely accessed by the wearer while it is being worn and even in such cases the wearer accesses it by feel with very little of any view of the pack.

always asume the person acting on a backpack is looking at it from the outlook of the straps being on the far side. as in person getting item for you as your ware it. or backpack is leaned against wall/rock... and the traps are on the side of the item being leaned on

privetkillzs

I voted for Kevin's Insanity because given the question as stated IU think it's the best answer, but i agree with those who point out that there is a category error in the question itself: trying to use "front" and "back" is a mistake and instead "large", "main", etc. should be used.

Matisse Enzer

One of the best books ever. The illustrations by Peter Aschwanden (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Aschwanden are some of the very best technical illustrations I've ever seen.

Matisse Enzer

I don't know, but right after I watched the vide, the song Mongoloid by Devo popped into my head and I've been humming it ever since. 😵

Franz Anton Mesmer

I'd say it changes depending on whether a person is wearing the backpack or if it is on the ground.

Planescaped

In Re: Insanity. You're not paranoid if they are really after you. Agree with the "crazy" one. :-)

Robert Fiegel

Its neither. It is all perspective to how or where you are looking at it. The same with a car. Is the right side the view from in front of the car back to the tailights or viewing the from the taillights forward?

Doug G

The compartment at your back when wearing the backpack is the "main" compartment, the small one farthest from you when wearing is the "front"

Alex

Former camp ranger here and Kevin has this one pegged.

Pat Houlihan

^^^ this ^^^

ben hengst

My wife and I argue over this. Othais is right. How could there be any argument?

Geoff Ader

In the book "How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manual of Step by Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot" this question comes up a lot with respect to the VW bug's engine, which is in the back. As such, a similar conundrum arises: is the "front" of the engine the part that you see directly in front of you when you open the bonnet, or the part you can't? As I recall, the author subscribes to the Othais philosophy, in that the front of the engine is on the same side as the front of the car, and he reinforces this by repeating "front is front" every time it comes up in the book.

Mark Swierczek

Totally agree, that's what I call them, the big and smaller pockets

Shishi Soulez

Kevin C Huhn, can you throw a clay? I think you may have a new job opportunity.

William Frank

😩

Luke Telling

You're both wrong. The pockets should referenced by size, not location. This eliminates confusion with odd people such as yourselves

James M Ponds

The ALICE Pack.... see page 28. http://www.georgia-outfitters.com/AlicePackManual.pdf

James

As a boy scout with a more than average enthusiasm for my backpack. I'm siding with Kevin.

Petter Bøckman

If it's in the military regulations, it must be so. That much I've learned from Primer.

Petter Bøckman

I like how the poll is totally impartial with the option names 🤣

Taverius

This made me laugh so hard. Thx, that made my morning :)

fi

I'd say the backpack is more analogous to the vehicle than to the tool cabinet in your example. If I stand behind my car to open the trunk, that doesn't make the trunk side the front. A backpack's defining feature isn't its ability to face you so you can access the pockets, it's its ability to be strapped on your back, as the name implies.

Brecht Debor

Back of a washing machine, back of a wardrobe, back of a painting, back of a shelf.... all face the big dense thing on which they're 'hung, as with a backpack on Othias' back. 🙂 Go team Kev! (And I'm guessing Mae is with him on this.. qed.

Djd

I say we ask Crozier what he thinks.

tenofprime

Kevin is right. An object's use that you actively think about and see is it's front. When we wear a back pack, we see the pocket side. When we need something from it, we look at the pocket side, unzip or unbutton and search through facing the pockets. When a back pack is displayed in a store, the pocket side is faced toward the customer. Hence the pocket side is the front.

Eric Reno

You are both right. While wearing it, the wearer is the point of reference, when you take it off, however, it is defined by the person looking at it. When somebody tries to take something out of a backpack worn by someone else, the backpack referential uncertainty principle kicks in and both are wrong and right at the same time, argument ensues. If this is not resolved within 20 seconds, a black whole is created, swallowing the contents of said backpack.

Robert

You're both wrong trying to apply relative naming to an absolute object. ;) Like a ship using port and starboard to unambiguously identify each side regardless of which way you're facing it, for a backpack you've got inner and outer pockets with the outer one being farthest from your back when worn.

Jonathan Smith

I don‘t think the truck analogy applies to a backpack. When you wear a baseball cap backwards the bill is still at the front of the cap, right?

Sebastian Hiller

http://marinesinforestgreen.blogspot.com/2019/02/the-pack-us-marine-corps-m1941-pamphlet.html?m=1

Philip Spadano

I have attached the Marine Corps manual on the M1941 pack. It describes the three flaps which will cover the contents inside. The rear flap, being closest to the user's back, folds over to the front of the back pack. This makes it clear to me that the reference points of a backpack should be discussed when the backpack can be fully utilized off the user's back and looking at it with the straps away from them.

Philip Spadano

Sorry mate, in news likely to shock the World, Kevin is actually right this time.

DakkaDakkaWAAGH

I really hate to disagree with Othais on this one, but the backpack is worn back to back with you. That's just how it is, the front pockets face away. The truck is an inaccurate analogy in my opinion. Yes, the rear compartment is the back, because the box of a truck is an integral part. If you put a tool cabinet or something in the back so it could be accessed, you'd have to have the front facing the rear of the truck.

Stephen Barta

Indeed you are correct!

Maz

A Bing search (screw google) for front view backpack shows the view of non strap side.

Boomersparky

Britain would like a word. 😉

Anders Weidik Bendsen

To confuse Kevin even more, ask about how would he categorize hydration packs such as camelbacks where there is a backpack with three or more pockets in sequence, where the bladder pocket is the one closest to the wearer’s back. Ok yeah, how are you naming the side pockets, referencing when worn or when looking at the backpack?

Charles Adams

Othias is wrong. 😉 Hey it happens to us all, occasionally. Obviously, in the truck box image, B is the front! 😅

Chris Cherry

I think of the left and right straps and pockets of a backpack as worn, but have only heard "front pocket" used to refer to the pocket furthest from the wearer.

Benjamin N

I knew Othais was pretty tall, but I never realized he could wear a whole pickup truck as a backpack!

Joshua Brown

In the "not-being-worn" condition the pack has its own orientation separate from the former wearer

Wayne Dygert

One cannot access the backpack with it on, therefore taking it off places the outermost pocket in front. Besides, the back pocket sits on your back when one wears it. It's the "back" pocket!

Scott Vaughan

I agree. Drivers side of the car is always left. The port side is the left side, and the pocket next to your back is the front pocket.

Maz

I see this as a non-binary question. In the "being worn" the pack partakes of the wearer's orientation.

Wayne Dygert

You're both wrong. When you take off a backpack and lay it down, the pocket is the top pocket. And the pocket closest to your head when wearing said backpack is the top pocket as well. So there is a top top pocket, a middle top pocket, a top middle pocket, and so on. Plus left and right, based on side hand when worn. So there's a top left pocket, a left top pocket, etc, etc.

Edward Brush

Kevin's insanity is correct. The way I see it, you wear the back of the backpack on your back. Now, say that 10 times really fast!

Carter Walshe

Having worked on VW's from the 60-70's. The back of the engine has the pulleys to drive the generator. The end of the engine with the flywheel, is the front of the engine. Reference is always done when items are in use. Othais wins.

Loren Watts

Given all of the features on a backpack are on a certain side, most I've seen refer to the pockets and zippers as the "front" of the backpack.

Royeaux

Let me hit this bowl and get back to you... Ok... So... The front of the backpack is what touches you backs... Front sight is in front, rear sight is rear... Just like holding a gun.

Tyler i.

Sorry Othias, Kevin's right. You're argument breaks down in your truck's bed cap becomes an integral part of the truck; your pack does not do the same. Its worn back-to-back... unless you were one of the weird kids that wore yours like a pregnant belly.

TankDestroyerSarge

I agree with Othais but I think most miss the point and base their perception on how the pack presents itself while accessing it's innards. Sorry Othais. We are morally right but sheeple are gonna sheep Bro.

Cal30M1

Poor Othais. He logged out and never logged in again after this disgrace.

Kyle Jones

It's like a drawer. But I go through it so the pokets face me.

Halinspark

Nuff said, Kevin manufacturers agree with you... https://images.app.goo.gl/p54CbUh57vJLMTBL8

scott tomlinson

It's your backpack. The front is the side you access when you take it off to get your stuff out of it.

PT

https://images.app.goo.gl/7RCAtYZjhdLjGtQg7

scott tomlinson

New best Kevin

C&Rsenal

Relative directions relate to people. When it's unclear, use "your" or "my" to disambiguate.

Matthew Jackson

I have never heard anyone refer to the compartment closest to the straps as the "front". Generally speaking, one has to remove a backpack to access it. And when you do, it makes most sense to have the straps furthest from you so you have easy access to all the pockets. Therefore, the compartment closest to the straps is the "back"

Orkevino

https://images.app.goo.gl/PFES5JtySLb2Wu8i7

scott tomlinson

I don't use front and back, I just use sizes, unless it has a pocket that zips from say like along the entire left side only, then that's the weird left side pocket thing.

Scott Howrey

Hold on, what’s a backpack?

Evan Williams

I have to say something I've never lost sleep over. I voted with Othais because... he's Othais.

John R. Dorn

I'll have to repeat my entry from yesterday. Main bag, small bag, side pockets, top flap pocket. They should be named so there is no need for explanation. If you ask for a tourniquet from the 'back pocket' you shouldn't have to explain which pocket that is.

Martin Morehouse

You carry your backpack back to back so to speak. The front is facing away from you when you're carrying it.

Michael Kalus

A related example is an engine. The front of the engine is where the accessories are mounted. On most front wheel drive and transverse mounted engines this is to the right side of the vehicle. With many rear mounted engines that makes the front of the engine point to the rear. For a backpack, because a person is intended to interact with the bag oriented with the straps away, the backpack faces to the rear when worn. Kevin is correct.

Bryon Simon

My name is Kevin but I must disagree with him. You cannot name backpack parts like the parts of a ship (fore aft Port Starboard). You ride a ship, you wear a backpack.

Kevin C Huhn

The back of the backpack touches the user's back. The left/right of the pack is inverse however. While facing the front (outside) of the pack, a pouch on your right is the right side of the pack while the front is facing your right. Front [pack]Back Back[wearer]Front

Nathan McCord

Manufacturers refer to the front pocket as the small one. E.G. https://www.montblanc.com/en-us/backpacks_cod19325877437076262.html#mbProductTabs

Biggles

Othias is 100% right (or back.) A BACKpack should be referenced to its position on the back. When you put things together it almost always front to back, so the front of the backpack goes to the back of the person.

Christopher Schroeder

I agree with Kevin. It's like how mechanics refer to the drivers side of a front engine bay as engine-right; it's all about how it is commonly accessed

Mr. Lee

Well, both Kevin and Othais are completely loony (ref - the "it's a trap" and the "Ian Can't Othais' series). This time, Kevin's insane opinion is more correct than Othais' completely nuts opinion.

Jason

"A very Othias'd vote, I see." There, fixed that for you

Eric McKenney

Mae, please smack Othais for being an idiot.

Simon Tan

I had to think about, and started off on team Othias, but when they’re displayed the side you see/care about should be the front, and I just can’t imagine rows of backpacks being displayed straps first.

Daniel Feep

The spine of the backpack; i.e the part that rests against the wearer's own spine, should generally be considered the "back" of the backpack. Thus, the adjoining pockets are defined relative to the spine of the backpack. Thus, the "front" of the backpack is the part furthest away from the wearer, at least while it is being worn.

Voleron

Even if someone is trying to get something out of the bag while you’re wearing it, the front will still be relative to the person accessing the bag, not the person wearing it.

William Frank

what were the questions?

C&Rsenal

Appalachian Trail Thru Hiker class of 2015. If you need something from your pack you can't reach, you ask for it from the front pocket of your pack by reference of the person looking at it.

Dayhiker42

You only interact with the backpack when it is off your person. All relative front/back references are made from this perspective. That said, most backpacks have a main compartment, then ancillary outside pouches and pockets.

David Grunt

The front/back of a backpack is relative to when you are accessing it, not relative to it’s position as it relates to use.

William Frank

I read this question out loud and omitted the names and my partner was able to determine it was from C&Rsenal with two questions.

Jordan Dotson

Both of you hicks are wrong, its main/big pocket and small pocket.

DORSAL AND VENTRAL I SAY!

moosemaimer

Both. Othias is right about the orientation of the backpack and the small pockets on the back of the backpack when worn are still the front pockets.

Keisi

I gotta take a stand with Othias on this issue.. it’s always by the person wearing it position. Like in a vehicle. All positions are referenced from if a driver is sitting in it

Tim Black

When you put a backpack down you face it to get stuff in and out so that's the front. So, Kevin is sane and Othais is insane......

Bob BAAL

always

C&Rsenal

i think Othias is right objectively but i think it's more intuitive to do it Kevin's way

Sorry, I'd have to say it's based on when you access it, not when you wear it

Joe Scholtes

It's context sensitive. The position of the pocket depends on if the backpack is currently being worn.

Jonathon Payne

It's like in aircraft where all things are in reference to the pilot's seat. If it's behind you, it's behind you and the pockets should be numbered from the one closest to the wearer to the farthest. Unless you're some sort of monster who wears their "back" pack on their front.

Daniel Jennerman

Which pocket contains the hotdog sandwiches?

History&Coffee

Pockets should be named by their size and utility. Then orientation becomes unimportant. "Its in the big pocket"

Gerbils McFadden

This is one of those.. Dogs looking up things isn't it?

Ary Dabirnia

I agree with Kevin's insanity. However, I tend to refer to backpack pockets by size, with largest I've traditionally being the one nearest the back while being written.

Andrew Whitehead

A very unbiased vote i see.

Davion Nerd

You typically access your backpack after you set it down, so the side facing you which would be the 'back' side by your logic would become the front.

Lucas Hagg

Sorry Othias, I blame shoddy logic in my upbringing

Matthew Graeff

The big pocket is against the back. Front pocket is the tiny one furthest from the body.

Dr. Dumbass

Othias is correct.

Sky W Cedarleaf-Grey