View Full Version : Dont understand pack sizes, can you help me?
mtt37849
01-14-2009, 02:46
I'm looking for a pack on ebay and i see that the waist band will fit like the waist on a pair of pants but the torso measurements seem a bit weird. The page says that they move from torso size 15 to 20... but if i measure my chest from one side around it is around 35 to 37 inches, i have yet to find a bag that will extend that size of torso... I'm sure i'm measuring something wrong or missing something.
What do they mean by a 16 to 19 inch torso, that seems much to small??
Thanks.
I assume U R thinking about purchasing a backpack, or for short, pack. In hiker language, a bag usually is short for sleeping bag.
U R right. Waist band is typically referred to as hipbelt size. This is the part of the backpack U strap around your waist. They typically come in S, M,and Lg. Some backpack munufacturers also offer XS, XL, and even, XXL sizes. There R not always exact rules that dictate what determines S, M, and L. If U see a pack that U R interested in purchasing go to their website and see what their specifications R for their S,M,and L hipbelt sizes. Keep in mind, when U R choosing hipbelt size U may be wearing additional bulky clothing around your waist with the backpack on. Sometimes U will not. Backpack companies R aware of this and allow the hipbelt waist size to be adjustable within a given range. If U find your waist size is right at the upper range limit of that brands size med., for example, U may want to jump up to the size L hipbelt.
The torso measurement for backpacks is not a chest measurement. It is a spinal measurement. It is the measured length from about the 3 rd verterbrae down from your neck, that is typically that first big bump down your spine, down to about a pt. where your hips cross to make a horizontal line. This is typically given in inches in the U.S. and is also typically referred to as having a S, M or Long torso. Again, there R no exact uniform rules what determines S, M, and Long torso lengths for all backpack maunufacturers and all models. For example, I know I have about a 21-22 inch torso(Long), which almost universally means I need a backpack sized for a Long torso, but I still check the backpack manufacturers specifications for how they define the size range of a size Long torso. The backpack U were looking at on eBay was in the 15-20 inch torso range. This would mean little to U if U didn't know the person's torso size that was going to be wearing the backpack. Additionally, some backpacks have an adjustable torso feature. That is, the torso length can be adjusted to fit different people with different torso lengths.
If I've made this sound a bit complicated, visiting an outfitter that sells backpacks can quickly provide U with what hipbelt size and torso length U R, free of charge. Either way an outfitter will help clearify anything I said and be able to give U more solid advice on choosing a backpack.
Pic worth a 1000
http://www.ula-equipment.com/sizing.htm
I'm looking for a pack on ebay and i see that the waist band will fit like the waist on a pair of pants but the torso measurements seem a bit weird. The page says that they move from torso size 15 to 20... but if i measure my chest from one side around it is around 35 to 37 inches, i have yet to find a bag that will extend that size of torso... I'm sure i'm measuring something wrong or missing something.
What do they mean by a 16 to 19 inch torso, that seems much to small??
Thanks.
Depends where you wear your pants.
http://www.kelty.com/kelty/articles.php?id=63&cat=3
That is for torso length.
http://www.kelty.com/kelty/articles.php?cat=3&id=11
That may help you with other stuff.
Kelty website sure seems poor in quality since I last was there. Hope the info is still worthy.
Pic worth a 1000
http://www.ula-equipment.com/sizing.htm
Use that!
Remember hip belt size is not waist measurement... it is hips.
Here's notes on torso and hip measurement from Osprey. http://www.ospreypacks.com/PackTech/SizingandFitting/
I'm looking for a pack on ebay
Stop right there. Go to an outfitter and get fitted by a knowledgeable sales person. Ask yourself... would you buy a mattress online?
NCYankee
01-14-2009, 10:29
Ask yourself... would you buy a mattress online?
Yes I would… I would go to the store, test it out, and then search for the best price I could online (unless I got such amazing service at the store that it justified the price difference).<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
Live the Journey
01-14-2009, 10:55
Find an outfitter who knows what they're doing...ASK for the salesperson with the most knowledge and experience fitting packs and THEN ask him for help fitting you and a "packs 101" type of lesson...DO NOT READ UP ONLINE AND TRY TO FIT YOURSELF FOR A PACK. You will just be upset when you get it and have to return it because it doesn't fit!
People buy cheap packs online and bring them into the store I work for and then are bummed when I tell them that there's nothing that can be done to make the "one size fit's all" pack fit them or their kids...even though I'm way more happy to fit someone with a pack they didn't buy from us and see them walk away with a pack that fits them...you can't fake fit. Get fitted by a pro.
Stop right there. Go to an outfitter and get fitted by a knowledgeable sales person. Ask yourself... would you buy a mattress online?
Mattress - maybe.
Pack - If you believe reviews and are willing to take your chances, yes.
Ebay, used? NOPE!
Shoes and packs should be tried on before purchasing. I've even tried on shoes that had a lumpy area of stitching only to find that another pair, same size and model, was perfect.
Most items purchased from an online retailer are returnable. Good luck with individuals who you don't know. You need to be able to trust the seller.
Fiddleback
01-14-2009, 19:51
Yeah...just think about all those unmarked, mass graves of Boy Scouts up and down the AT.:D They didn't buy fitted packs back in the day...there wasn't much of a selection when it came to 'sizes.' But, there weren't hip belts, then, either.
Seriously...proper pack size is important to comfort. But the actual measurements are not always critical. Is it OK to be off an inch? Or two? How 'bout three? And if your measurements are correct, what about the manufacturers'?
If you want to be assured of fit, go to the brick & mortar retailer...maybe more than one. That being said, every pack I've bought since the early 80s I bought mail order or online.:-? Could they have been more comfortable? I'll never know. But there's a whole bunch of other comfort issues on the trail that distract me from those thoughts...the climb, the heat, the humidity, the cold, the climb, the mileage, the climb...:o
FB
Feral Bill
01-14-2009, 21:15
A good outfitter will not only fit your pack, but will re-fit it as needed if you grow, gain weight, or lose weight. This is especially important for kids. I took mine back to have their packs readjusted for years. One risk, though, is having a really good fitting with fabulous comfort in a really expensive pack. I'll leave it to others to argue over the ethics here.
mtt37849
01-15-2009, 01:09
Wow thanks guys, there again the members of whiteblaze know their *****!