I'm not tough enough to carry the weight these packs were designed to carry, but suffice it to say they'll handle any reasonable load.

The wands are made of fiberglass, if I recall correctly. They're attached at a point on the belt with slider adjustments straps. You can adjust the lower balance characteristics of the weight, much like the load lifters work at adjusting the weight on the shoulders. I don't know of any other pack that offered this feature. Kinda hard to articulate - but it works!

If you don't win the pack you're bidding on - I can put you in touch with a guy that would probably part with one (Large Long Bed/Red)