| Topic: Women's backpacking equipment isn't "women" enough, extreme hip to waist ratio | < Next Oldest | Next Newest > |
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KestrelL 
Group: Members
Posts: 59
Joined: Jun. 2012
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Posted on: Jul. 06 2012, 2:55 pm |
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While I'm not technically in the market for a new pack, my current pack is heavy and doesn't fit very well, so I went to the store to try some out a couple weeks ago.
It appears that the women's packs aren't 'womenly' enough. I couldn't get a waistband to sit right. (I've got a 29" waist and 42" hips) I've had this issue with a lot of things like rock climbing harnesses and pants in general, but I was wondering if anyone else did and what they manage to do to find things that work well.
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Deborah
Deborah - 18 months
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Posts: 15712
Joined: Feb. 2002
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Posted on: Jul. 07 2012, 10:34 am |
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I can only suggest that you try other manufacturers. Some will change hip belts and some may have more of an angle than others.
It is not an issue that I have encountered. Good luck!
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“What we need is production by the masses, not mass-production” Gandhi
“The hardest thing in life is to know which bridge to cross and which to burn” David Russell
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| Post Number: 3
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kitphantom
Group: Members
Posts: 572
Joined: Feb. 2002
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Posted on: Jul. 07 2012, 8:34 pm |
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I was thankful to be able to get into a good shop and have a new pack fit to me. I did not have the same issue as you, but lots of issues including no longer having much hip/waist difference (my butt fell off in middle-age), and my previous packs would not stay in place.
Summit Hut in Tucson (I was visiting friends there, and a new pack was one goal of the trip) was wonderful, measuring, changing waist belts , etc. on my new Osprey pack. When one location did not have the pack it seemed I needed, I was sent to the other site, not sold something "almost right". In total, they spent at least an hour and a half fitting me.
If you can find a good shop that can do this type of fitting, it would be a big step inthe right direction.
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| Post Number: 4
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toesnorth
Group: Members
Posts: 2500
Joined: Jan. 2007
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Posted on: Jul. 07 2012, 11:49 pm |
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I don't own one but McHale makes custom packs that are reviewed very highly. Pricey, but for a custom fit, it might be worth it.
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"Failure is never as frightening as regret."
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| Post Number: 5
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| Post Number: 7
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KestrelL
Group: Members
Posts: 59
Joined: Jun. 2012
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Posted on: Jul. 09 2012, 5:44 pm |
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(fifeplayer @ Jul. 08 2012, 8:32 am)
QUOTE
(KestrelL @ Jul. 06 2012, 2:55 pm)
QUOTE It appears that the women's packs aren't 'womenly' enough. I couldn't get a waistband to sit right. (I've got a 29" waist and 42" hips) I've had this issue with a lot of things like rock climbing harnesses and pants in general, but I was wondering if anyone else did and what they manage to do to find things that work well. I'll second the advice on here to go find someone who knows what they're doing and check out as many packs as possible. From your description, I'm wondering if you're trying to have the hipbelt ride too high? It should be riding just on your hips, not above them. http://www.whitemountain.com.au/fitting_backpacks/hip_belt.html has a good image of it. I see lots of women cranking it tighter until it's around their waist and sitting a good bit above the iliac crest instead of across it. PS: I have a similar problem with climbing harnesses. Check out ones made for winter climbing. Adjustable leg loops solve a multitude of problems.
Yeah, I didn't have anyone helping me in the store - I feel bad for asking for help when I know I won't be buying anything.
But I think that wearing it wrong could be part of the problem - hip belts feel a lot more comfortable if they're more around my waist. So if I'm interpreting the diagram correctly, you're hipbelt is supposed to go right over the bony part of your hip at an angle?
And basically, with the backpacks I tried, if I cinched the hipbelt up, the bottom of the hipbelt would be tight and the top would be quite loose and useless (I have very prominent hipbones with not much 'padding' over them currently - my waist draws in fairly sharply). I don't remember the packs I tried on - I'm horrible that way!
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| Post Number: 8
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AlmostThere
I must not be there yet, I keep hiking...
Group: Members
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Joined: Apr. 2008
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Posted on: Jul. 09 2012, 11:17 pm |
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Look at Gregory - their packs (some of them) have adjustable hip belts. My pack is a small to fit my back size, and the hip belt adjusts from medium to small to x-small.
Another highly adjustable pack would be any of the Aarn body packs. The hip belt attaches with some really mean velcro and the hip belt can be tipped to any angle that's comfortable for you, as well as moved up or down to micro-adjust for back length. The single back stay can be molded (with a friend's help) to suit your posture. The front packs have stays that can be bent to provide air space behind them.
I have an older Granite Gear pack that adjusts on the back frame in inch increments, and different hip belts can also be had - if you look at the current line I bet they still have some packs with swappable hip belts. The policy when I bought mine was that they would replace the hip belt gratis if I got the pack and the one with it didn't suit me. The women's belt on my Nimbus Ozone sits pretty well on my hips.
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All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking.
Friedrich Nietzsche
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