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Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2015 6:10:20 GMT -8
Hey guys – I was wondering if anyone had any ideas for backpacks that would suit super small people. I’m 5’0″ and weigh 107 lbs. I’m a relatively experienced backpacker, but I’ve never found that elusive “right” backpack. Most recently, I’ve done some treks with the Kelty Rally 45. While I did appreciate how cool it kept my back, ultimately I hated the way it sat – that gap is just too extreme for me, and I kept banging my head on the top of the pack (so annoying to not be able to look up). Then I decided I wanted something lighter, so I found a discontinued Granite Gear AJI 50 KI. The weight of this pack was perfect, and it sat great on my hips, but it has very little padding in the straps and it destroyed my shoulders after 4 days hiking up in the Whites.
So, I would love some suggestions. My torso length is super small – like 14.5″, though I can usually pull off a pack with a 16″ torso if I have to. I’m looking for something in the 50-55L range – enough space for a long weekend (3-4 days, backcountry camping – tent, bag, pad, stove, food, everything). I try to keep it lightish. My last pack clocked in at about 24lbs all packed and it was enough for 4 days.
Thanks for the suggestions!!
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Aug 25, 2015 6:27:20 GMT -8
It sounds like you have had nothing but ill fitting packs. If your shoulders are raw after hiking, then the pack was either too small (the weight should be 95% on your hips and just floating on your shoulders) or the weight wasn't sitting right in the pack (too low or too far back).
Go to REI and try on packs with a 1/3 more weight than you carry (they have weighted bags). If possible, actually bring your gear to the store...and then try on packs after getting fitted again. Mind you, the packs often run small there. A pack is like a pair of shoes. Just because they are all size 8, doesn't mean they all fit the same.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2015 6:42:37 GMT -8
Thanks tigger. I have been fitted before - that's why I ended up with the Kelty, but after a few days of hiking, it was annoying the heck out of me. The granite gear is just a weird fit. The tops of my shoulders were fine, but my anterior shoulders were getting a lot of stress - just a strange experience all around.
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Post by trinity on Aug 25, 2015 9:36:53 GMT -8
As you undoubtedly know, backpack fit is highly individual and subjective, so you have to take any backpack recommendations with a big grain of salt. That said, personally I have found Deuter packs to fit me the best of the commercially available brands. Since they have an adjustable suspension, they might work for you. This one says it fits down to a 14 inch torso, so might fit the bill: www.rei.com/product/880684/deuter-act-lite-45-10-pack-womens#tab-description . It is a fairly lightweight pack. Another option, if you have the cash, would be a custom pack from someone like McHale. |
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Westy
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Post by Westy on Aug 25, 2015 9:45:42 GMT -8
And the question is: backpacks that would suit super small people The dimension and tolerance factor is: My torso length is super small – like 14.5″, though I can usually pull off a pack with a 16″ torso The answer is: Osprey Ace 50 |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2015 11:02:53 GMT -8
^ My brother said the same thing! |
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Aug 25, 2015 11:42:36 GMT -8
Gregory has packs dimensioned for women, might try some of those.
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Post by topshot on Aug 25, 2015 17:00:03 GMT -8
Might also look into some of the "youth" options like the REI Passage 40 or 65.
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Aug 25, 2015 17:22:43 GMT -8
I have two suggestions based on what have worked for my skinny son the last few years when he was almost exactly your size, even a little lighter when he was 5' tall.
One is the Osprey Talon 44, which he really likes and still uses. Adjustable torso length and a hipbelt that fits small waist/hips.
Before that he used my older model GoLite women's Jam2. Slightly less volume than the Talon 44 but also narrower in the shoulders. They don't make them anymore but it used to be relatively easy to find used or maybe even leftover stock on ebay and the like.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Aug 25, 2015 21:18:55 GMT -8
Might also look into some of the "youth" options like the REI Passage 40 or 65. Deuter also makes good kids' packs in a variety of sizes. The dimensions you give seem to me to put you in kids' gear, not even women's (your torso may be too short for most women's packs, and at your level of slimness, hip belts may be too big. Though I can send directions for extra padding to make them fit  ). One is the Osprey Talon 44, which he really likes and still uses. Adjustable torso length and a hipbelt that fits small waist/hips. Eldest Son used that pack from about 5' to 5'5", I think. He was (and is) terrifically skinny, and the hip belt worked well. Capacity is limited, though. It's hard to carry much beyond personal gear, unless you are very efficient about it. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2015 0:16:52 GMT -8
So I went to EMS and REI (both in Manhattan, no less), and they literally had NOTHING. Largest women's pack was a 40L with the exception of the deuters (which don't seem to fit me right) and the Osprey Sirrus 50 which bangs me funny in the neck. Short people problems!! I guess my best bet is to order online from a place that does returns and just hope for the best.
Does anyone have experience with any of the Gregory bags? Like the Gregory J53? It comes in an extra small torso length which might work. Otherwise, looks like I'm going for a youth pack!
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Aug 26, 2015 3:54:59 GMT -8
I'm reading your first post more carefully and wondering if it's not so much the pack dimensions but a sizing/fit issue. I'm only 5'2" and my torso length is around 15", and I really don't have any problems finding packs to fit.
If your shoulder straps are hurting you, then I'm wondering if the pack isn't actually too short. My pack weights are in the 20-25lb range for those 3-4 day hikes like you and my straps really have no "weight" on them; they're really only just there to keep the pack on my back. I know that, with my son, his straps were hurting him because the hipbelt was slipping as he hiked (skinny boy with no hips), so it was a hipbelt issue, not a torso length one.
FWIW, I've been hiking with a ULA Circuit for a few years now and can't even try on those full-frame rigid packs like the Gregories and Deuters. If your pack weights are under 25lb, you might consider some of the lighter semi-framed packs. They require a little more thought in packing (a good idea anyway) BUT I think they're a lot more forgiving in terms of fit and are a lot more comfortable (IMO). I don't like tall packs that go behind my head and prefer the weight to be close to my back, so I pack short, flat and wide. For me, the Circuit works great for this.
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Post by Dynteryx on Aug 27, 2015 6:39:18 GMT -8
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