I've been backpacking for over a decade and have had a hard time finding a backpack with a small enough waist - I'm about a 29" maybe 30" waist and always have the belt at it's tightest possible setting.
I'm about 5'7 and have had the best luck with using a medium torso backpack and a small sized belt - but I'm trying to convert to a lighter weight style of backapcking with a sub-3lb pack, ideally with some sort of frame for wieghts as high as ~35lb (sometimes I get out for a week). Does anyone have any recommendations? I'm considering a woman's backpack because of the tendancy for smaller waist sizes, does anyone know of any drawbacks to this? I am also considering trying to make my own pack, but since I have never sown anything this is a little daunting.
Thanks!