View Full Version : Light Packs for Big Boys
I'm big, not fat just big, and having a hard time finding a backpack that fits. I have a 25" torso and very large chest and broad shoulders. I can get several packs to fit comfortably if I wear a t-shirt but I can't wear any other clothing because none of the packs have big enough shoulder straps.
Does anyone make custom packs or are there any manufacturers who make packs to fit big people? EMS and REI don't stock anything that fits and I'm getting tired of mail ordering stuff only to return stuff because it doesn't fit.
Jim Adams
01-15-2008, 00:35
most manufacturers have a toll free #.
try calling them and talk directly with the staff...this should help alot.
start with your favorite maker then go down the list until you get the answers that you need.
geek
I think I am going to get all my measurements taken again tomorrow and call places like MLD and Six Moon and see if they can enlarge one of their standard packs for me.
Jim Adams
01-15-2008, 00:53
they may already have one to fit. i found that most companies have alot more info and product availablethan they present on the outside.
good luck
geek
~
Does anyone make custom packs or are there any manufacturers who make packs to fit big people? EMS and REI don't stock anything that fits and I'm getting tired of mail ordering stuff only to return stuff because it doesn't fit.
Tobias, do you ever travel to N. Conway? If so, visit Wild Things, Inc. (http://wildthingsgear.com) They are located on Main Street, across from Rite Aid.
Wild Things is a manufacturer of high-end, mountaineering gear. They could adapt one of their designs to suit you, or perhaps even build a pack to your specifications.
They also produce a large line of high-tech clothing. If you're having trouble finding items in your size, they could probably help. Take a ride North. It might be worth your while.
Tobias, do you ever travel to N. Conway?
Not this time of year but usually in late spring, summer, or early fall. Thanks for the tip on Wild Things, I will definitely stop in there the next time I take a trip up North. Meanwhile, I am going to contact MLD and Six Moons to see if they can help me.. I really like, other than stock sizes, the specs on their packs.
Thanks again.
Alright, just took some measurements:
Waist: 42"
Torso: 24"
Chest: 52"
Shoulders: 55"
Girth: 75"
The only thing I see getting smaller is my waist but not by much. Upper body is mostly muscle with very little fat.
The Mariposa fit my torso fine but shoulder straps were way too small as is the case with most mass produced packs from places such as GoLite, Granite Gear, et al.
I'm big, not fat just big, and having a hard time finding a backpack that fits. I have a 25" torso and very large chest and broad shoulders.
I can get several packs to fit comfortably if I wear a t-shirt.I would think wearing two packs at once would be sufficient. :)
Just contacted MLD so see if he can fit his Zip pack (http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=25&products_id=49&osCsid=eb394106cb172a50f6dd6c90659ed202) to my dimensions. I also filled out the survey at r2 Packs for a custom pack. Now I wait. :)
@JAK - Funny guy. :p
bigcranky
01-15-2008, 10:35
McHale Packs makes pretty much nothing but custom packs. You pay for the privilege, of course, but they do nice work.
I'm a big guy as well and the Osprey Atmos 65 fits me very well.
Man, McHale has some nice packs. Need to save up more cash though if I decide to go with them. :D
Alright, just took some measurements:
Waist: 42"
Torso: 24"
Chest: 52"
Shoulders: 55"
Girth: 75"
The only thing I see getting smaller is my waist but not by much. Upper body is mostly muscle with very little fat.
The Mariposa fit my torso fine but shoulder straps were way too small as is the case with most mass produced packs from places such as GoLite, Granite Gear, et al.
i gotta ask... what have you found in the way of a sleeping bag that fits you?
i gotta ask... what have you found in the way of a sleeping bag that fits you?
I've had a JRB Katahdin quilt since last July or so and it works really well. Could be just a few inches wider to be perfect but this works fine for most of my trips so far. I may have something custom made this fall for winter camping.
Johnny Swank
01-15-2008, 14:08
Get in touch with Moonbow gear and have them sew a Gearskin pack for you. Runs about $180 or so for a custom-made pack - you can't beat that. It's like carrying a big ol' pillow once you get the hang of packing them.
Get in touch with Moonbow gear and have them sew a Gearskin pack for you. Runs about $180 or so for a custom-made pack - you can't beat that. It's like carrying a big ol' pillow once you get the hang of packing them.
Ya know, I always forget about them for some reason. They are only an hours drive from me, I bet I could go up there and have them measure me for the perfect GearSkin. Sgt. Rock likes GearSkins so they must be good. :D
- JT
Johnny Swank
01-15-2008, 14:35
I sewed a couple of packs using their basic principles and love them to death. $180 for a custom pack is a steal, and those folks are awesome to deal with.
stranger
01-15-2008, 20:00
First off mate...you do not have a 25 inch torso. You were measured wrong, and most likely drastically wrong (I don't need to see you to know this). While torso measurements are commonly done incorrectly, it's much more common with larger people, and in particular males, as most pack fitters won't be willing to jab you until they find the top of your hipbone, and this needs to be done.
In my experience in fitting thousands of packs over many years, I've never even seen a 24 inch torso, this includes those up to about 6'8. The good news is you are probably just a size large in a pack company like Gregory or Osprey. Both these companies make multiple size fames, shoulder harnesses and hipbelts. Your problem will be getting fit correctly, so it may pay to seek out a good recommended pack shop. I would say without hesitation that atleast 50% of backpackers are fit incorrectly or poorly, but this percentage can get drastically higher.
Make sure when you try the pack on you are wearing it on your hips, not down where you keep your pants. This will most likely feel "too high" but a good rule of thumb is that the top of the hipbelt should be about 1 inch higher than the TOP of your hipbone, which won't be far below the bottom of your ribcage. Another way to check it when you are wearing the pack, try sitting down wearing the pack, if you feel pressure on the hipbelt, or the pack moves upward, then you are wearing the pack too low.
I've never seen someone wear a pack too high...only too low. Give it a go and see what happens.
In my experience in fitting thousands of packs over many years, I've never even seen a 24 inch torso, this includes those up to about 6'8.
Actually, the torso length is the least of my worries. I just returned a "large" torso pack that is for torsos from 20" to 24" and it fit great on my back and hips. The problem is, already stated, that none of these mass produced packs fit me in the shoulders. The shoulder straps never leave me with enough room for any kind of clothing. This large pack I just returned only had room for me wearing a t-shirt. There was no way I could have gotten the pack on with any other layers.
Both Mountain Laurel Designs and Moonbow have been very helpful it suggestion custom work to their pads to make them fit me. I will likely choose one of them. I will take a look at Gregory though, I called Osprey after looking at their website and the CSR I spoke with was very clueless.. they did not give me a good feeling.
Both these companies make multiple size fames, shoulder harnesses and hipbelts. Your problem will be getting fit correctly, so it may pay to seek out a good recommended pack shop.
I think the reference is to swapping out with larger harness or hipbelt. Some stores want to sell what they have on the wall.
You might try Osprey again, and try to get past the first layer CSR. Might work better if you call before their day erupts, you know, after the first coffee, before the first fire. Good luck.
stranger
01-15-2008, 20:46
Hey Tobias - check you messages, some information on who can most likely help you out with this problem.
And a good point raised, most shops want to sell stock items, meaning they don't want to swap stuff out. When I worked at Campmor for 9 years we always had about 100 different hipbelts and shoulder harnesses in stock for this purpose. But I suspect this is a dying service these days in the pack industry.
But I suspect this is a dying service these days in the pack industry.
Both REI and EMS stores up here have been as useless as.. well, you get the idea. There are a couple specialty shops up north but none of them appear to be Gregory dealers according to Gregory's website.
Hmm, EMS is a dealer for Gregory but there's only a small handful of Gregory packs on EMS's website. I am looking at the G Pack and the Z55 packs. They don't sell the G Pack but my local EMS store has the Z55 in stock. I may have to go down there and try it on. Last time I was in there, they didn't have any Gregory packs in stock.
Much to my surprise, I've now found an off-the-rack pack that actually fits me. As mentioned in one of my last posts, I went to EMS today and tried on a Gregory X-55 (http://www.gregorypacks.com/prod.php?ID=85) (size Large) and it fit very well. There should be a good amount of room in the shoulders, my biggest problem with packs, for some winter clothing. I tried it on wearing a heavy flannel shirt and I still had plenty of room in the shoulder straps for adjustment. I then loaded up the pack with 18 lbs of weight and browsed through the store for about 35 minutes with it on my back.
I may go back and buy this pack at the beginning of the month. :thumbsup:
In my experience in fitting thousands of packs over many years, I've never even seen a 24 inch torso, this includes those up to about 6'8.
I have. I have a friend with a 24" torso. And he was measured properly. Just because you haven't seen it doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
It is like saying that a woman with a 12" torso is being measured wrong:confused:
stranger
01-19-2008, 22:20
Your friend does not have a 24 inch torso. Happy Trails.
4eyedbuzzard
01-20-2008, 10:53
Your friend does not have a 24 inch torso. Happy Trails.
Maybe her friend is Yao Ming. :confused: Ya never know.
Maybe her friend is Yao Ming. :confused: Ya never know.
Or the Incredible Hulk
Just returned from EMS with my Gregory Z-55 pack. Thanks to stranger for mentioning them to me. I always forget about Gregory. Maybe it's because I always confuse them for McGregor crap. The Z-55 is really nice and was $50 off (tomorrow is the last day of the sale).
I had emailed, a couple weeks ago, several folks who make custom packs. None of them emailed me back so F them. The only one who did email me back was Mountain Laurel Designs, he was cool and spent some time working with me. I'll give him some business in the near future, I really like his Bug Bivy and Bug Net for hammock, to make up for it. It was hard to turn down this Z-55 for $50 off after I wore it for 40 minutes with 18 lbs. in the store.
- JT