HELP have a wierd pack fitting problem

[skooch]

There's not a lot of outfitters in Florida unfortunately and they tend to only carry one or 2 brands. I've never been in an REI for instance. It may be worth a weekend roadtrip north to get to the closest one. 450miles to Atlanta. Just not a lot of variety and absolutely nothing but flatness. It was in the 70's all week though

[skooch]

Thanks to those who've sent me private messages on this topic.

[Toolshed]

....<Snipped> I'm a woman, aprox 40lbs overweight. My arms are fleshy but not the size of a big man's so what gives?

...<snipped>The second thing is that you mentioned you are overweight. I do see a lot of overweight women and they all seem to have the same loose, fatty skin hanging on their upper arms.
You can get a long sleeve t-shirt with mild compression (Champion makes them and they are inexpensive at Target) cut the sleeve shorter (but keep it longer than short sleeve shirt) and see if that helps to 1, compress the skin a little, and 2, serve to take up the chafing, so your skin doesn't feel it.

Sadly, in the long run, even if you lose weight, you might always have saggy skin there, some muscle toning will help, but I wouldn't count on that too much.
Good luck

Thanks for trying to help while assuming that I have big, flabby arms that you doubt will respond to exercise. My comment was to compare my arms to the much larger arms of men who manage to find straps that do not get in the way.

Skooch. You asked for advice. You stated what I assumed was a fact about your fleshy arms and that you had the same problems with all the packs you tried on. I reponded to that with my observations and how I thought the issue could be resolved. (I used to fit packs for an outfitter and when younger I used to work for an outdoor company guiding clients.)

You then started another thread where you said we weren't being respectful.

I'm not trying to hurt your feelings, or be disrespectful, but working with the information you have stated plus what I have experienced in working with overweight women - I stated my observations. Blunt and to the point. (this solution was also stated by someone in the other thread you started.) Many think this problem will clear up if they lose weight. Not necessarily so. Woman have a difficult time building enough muscle in their upper arms to take up any loose skin after they lose weight - it's a problem that most men do not seem to have, hence the answer to your "what gives" question. Again, not disresectful but to the point. It is what it is.
This is also relevant because as you lose weight on the trail, the loose skin will tend rub even more. Again, my idea for a shirt with mild compression

[Roots]

When I purchased my Gregory Z55, I loaded it with about 30 lbs of weight and walked around the store for about 30 minutes. The longer I had to pack on, the more it started to 'fit'. I have hiked many miles with that pack with comfort. The only way to know, sometimes, is to just pack it and wear it.

I had a very reputable outfitter try and tell me that I, too, would have to get a large pack to fit me correctly. They were wrong! Good luck!

[tlap]

The culprit may not be your arms, or the packs. It may be your bra. Look for a good sports bra that provides the appropriate level of support and compression for your physique. If you can find one that is comfortable and also moves the volume of your bust toward the center, as opposed to toward your sides, it may make a difference in the position of the pack straps in regard to your arms.

If you've been wearing an ordinary bra to your pack fittings, that could account for what you experienced.

Good luck with finding your pack. I know the right one for you is out there somewhere.

[Cuffs]

Don't overestimate your packfitter, and get a second opinion.

This is so true!

As an outdoor retail manager, I see this every day. A competitor will 'fit' a customer but not do it correctly. Get the second opinion!

As stated clearly here, you are having new stuff (the shoulder harness) in an area that is not accustomed to its abrasiveness. Either get used to it, go work out or compromise. (long sleeved shirt was an excellent suggestion)

Try on myriads of packs. ULA is one of the best packs out there. I was convinced I wanted one until I tried it on. It just did not fit me correctly. Thanks to my job, I own numerous packs. While some models of some brands fit great, others do not. I love my Gregory Z55, loathe (and sold) my Shasta. Love my Osprey Atmos 50, detest my Ariel 55.

You will find the one, and hopefully more, that work for you. Dont rush the decision, find the one that fits YOU.

[Turtle2]

Skooch, I too experienced the rubbing when I first put on my pack. Actually loading and wearing the pack removed the rubbing. So, find a pack that fits comfortably and then use it. I think you'll find the straps to be a non-issue.

[4eyedbuzzard]

You might also look at where the shoulder straps attach to the waistbelt / pack bottom. If they are too wide at this point the shoulder straps will not conform properly as they pass between your arms and torso. As others have noted, you could also try compression tops or even just use compression sleeves of some sort in the area of the arms that rubs.

FWIW, most men don't generally have this exact same fitting issue, as men put on fat differently than women due to basic physiological differences and musculature (including the effects of testosterone). Men tend to carry their fat more in their upper abdomen and chest - those out front beer bellies and barrel chests. It would be unusual even for an overweight male to have arm fat unless they were extremely obese. Women, however, tend to add fat more evenly throughout their bodies in their legs, arms, butt, and lower abdomen. Just the reality.

[skooch]

Skooch. You asked for advice. You stated what I assumed was a fact about your fleshy arms and that you had the same problems with all the packs you tried on. I reponded to that with my observations and how I thought the issue could be resolved. (I used to fit packs for an outfitter and when younger I used to work for an outdoor company guiding clients.)

You then started another thread where you said we weren't being respectful.

I'm not trying to hurt your feelings, or be disrespectful, but working with the information you have stated plus what I have experienced in working with overweight women - I stated my observations. Blunt and to the point. (this solution was also stated by someone in the other thread you started.) Many think this problem will clear up if they lose weight. Not necessarily so. Woman have a difficult time building enough muscle in their upper arms to take up any loose skin after they lose weight - it's a problem that most men do not seem to have, hence the answer to your "what gives" question. Again, not disresectful but to the point. It is what it is.
This is also relevant because as you lose weight on the trail, the loose skin will tend rub even more. Again, my idea for a shirt with mild compression

Thanks for the clarification. I realize now how helpful your ideas are. peace