Q. for ladies about packs

“On another thread I tried to create a list of the ladies on TrailTalk. Then on a different thread Scullcap mentioned that she got a pack designed specifically for ladies and found it to be much more comfortable. The salesman at my local outfitter said that he sells the regular waistbelt to ladies; that most of them seem to hate the waistbelts designed for women. I know very little about buying a pack. I've been trying to learn more, for myself and for my daughter, although for her I'm not looking for a big pack. Anyway, I was wondering if the ladies could post which pack they have specifically, what their torso size is, and any tips they wish to share about picking out a pack (other than the obvious one of trying them on). On some websites, I've found some good info on proper sizing of a pack including pictures of where the straps and hipbelt are supposed to be. I'm confused about the stay length (does this matter?) and the different suspension systems each pack has. I also don't know whether external is better than internal, maybe just in hot weather?
The updated list for anyone who cares:

Splash/LyndyS
Sassafras
Scullcap
lyra
Running Girl
Lipstick Hiker
Lizs
Newgirl
Treebait
Smiley Girl
Tarabull
Adventure Girl
Wolfsister
Twigeater
Bpbaby
MaryPhyl
CGHIKER
SnowNymph
Ginny
SmokyGirl
Mel
Hikerchic5
M&M
OM
TxWoodswoman
Biz
GearSlut?
MtnGal
Centavo
Cow Patty
AZHiker
Omahiker
MOM
Utahiker
Evergreen
Pamster
AmyG
Medic_girl
Pepperdog
Freedom
TrailArtist
Muktuk
Helinka
Wingding0
Sonja
skyblue”

“Since I didn't make the list, I'm assuming you don't want my input!

;o) Just kidding.

I don't have much experience because my pack was purchased for me several years ago and I just make do. Wish I could help you out.

Now, do I get to be added to your list? :o)”

“Yes!!!

Sunny, I'm so sorry.

Drum roll, please!

Sunshine
Splash/LyndyS
Sassafras
Scullcap
lyra
Running Girl
Lipstick Hiker
Lizs
Newgirl
Treebait
Smiley Girl
Tarabull
Adventure Girl
Wolfsister
Twigeater
Bpbaby
MaryPhyl
CGHIKER
SnowNymph
Ginny
SmokyGirl
Mel
Hikerchic5
M&M
OM
TxWoodswoman
Biz
GearSlut?
MtnGal
Centavo
Cow Patty
AZHiker
Omahiker
MOM
Utahiker
Evergreen
Pamster
AmyG
Medic_girl
Pepperdog
Freedom
TrailArtist
Muktuk
Helinka
Wingding0
Sonja
skyblue"”

“Hey Sunshine, you will always be on my list:-)

I bought my daughter a Gregory Reality, extra small with a small waistbelt. I didn't know that they made packs specifically for women. My daughter has a torso length of 14.5 inches. My daughter wears a size 2 or 3 in pants so she is pretty petit. The pack fits her great, but she hasn't been backpacking with it yet. I may end up selling this thing along with her sleeping bag if she doesn't make it on a trip soon.”

“Awwwwwwwwwww, makes me cry... bacpac and daughter out backpacking. *sniff, sniff*

At first I had a Lowe Alpine pack that was a friend's. It worked fine and I got on to how they are supposed to fit. Then -- it was TAKEN FROM ME!! (can you say EX-boyfriend??!)

Then I purchased one from bpbaby here. She is taller than me and said it was a tad bit too small for her. She told me to send it back if it didn't work. It worked!! Seemed a lot like the Lowe Alpine one in its whole setup, except it has an additional lower zipper access to sleeping bag area. It's a Jack Wolfskin.

I can tell you when I first looked at packs, I went to an outdoors store and tried on some cheapo Camp Trails. They loaded them down with stuff. The bags pulled the weight away from my back, no matter what I did. You almost need to have some experience like that to realize when a pack is "right." (Even if you eventually do luck out into getting a great one through no effort of your own... heheh)”

“Bacpac, good luck in getting your daughter out backpacking with you. I've looked at the Reality and it seems like a good choice. It is hard to get the kids to pay attention long enough to find out if the pack is comfortable on them in the store.”

“bacpac-
Post some photos”

“bacpac, I got a question for yah. Now if you are BPing with your daughter and she breaks her ankle, what do you do?

A) tell he that she has recked the entire trip, and she is so selfish to break her own ankle and that you won't carry her weight?

B)take her most expencive pieces of gear and leave he all alone for he carcus to rott away in the dirt that she fell in.

C)Say, because you wasted my time, you can carry you're pack and my pack. NO EXUCES!

D) Exicute her right on spot like you would do to a horse with a broken leg.

E) When she fails don't even bother to stop, just keep hiking along, and say to your self "see has a map, its ok"
------

These are the things that I think bacpac would consider doing if the situation was to arise.


LOL”

“I don't like woman specific packs, but I am 5'7" tall and not petite. The Reality is a great pack, I had one, sold it to AmyG and we both loved it. The wolfskin is also a great pack, but woman specific, it's the shoulder straps that bother me, they are too narrow. Barb is petite..she loves the woman specific packs. It all has to do with your body type.

Sooo...the best thing to do is just try one on. Wolfskin makes a great line of packs at a good price point. They have both woman specific and regular packs. Barb carries them in her store.

Osprey makes woman specific packs also, great packs but more expensive.”

“Stay length is usually determined by your torso length. Women many times have a longer torso than men for equal height. McHale's website gives good instructions about measuring your torso and has a good discussion about hipbelts too. With his design a women's hipbelt is no different than a mans belt. Its angles are adjustable by using double buckles. Also the stays are 7075 T6 aluminum and not the wimpy 2024 or 6061 that others use. This makes a big difference in pack performance. No frame sheet is necessary and the pack feels like an extension of your own body with these stays and no frame sheet. No worries about proper fit since the pack is made to your specs. The last pack you'll ever want or need. If you plan to backpack for life it's well worth the money.”

“I didn't recall the Wolfskin being a woman's pack. (Then again I'm pretty old, ya know. LOL!! ;-) Cool!”

“LyndyS - You've done great preparing a basic list. Now please add telephone numbers along with the names. Thanks.

Sign me: Always interested.

(TIC, but serious)”

“Too bad that I don't have the list of phone numbers; they might be worth money to some people. I could get all the NPS phone numbers and just randomly assign them. Or the phone numbers for gear outfitters. Or for Starbucks Coffee. Hmmmmm.”

“Adventure Girl
AmyG
AZHiker
Biz
Bpbaby
Centavo
CGHIKER
Cow Patty
Evergreen
Freedom
GearSlut?
Ginny
Helinka
Hikerchic5
Lipstick Hiker
Lizs
lyra
M&M
MaryPhyl
Medic_girl
Mel
MOM
MtnGal
Muktuk
Newgirl
OM
Omahiker
Pamster
Pepperdog
Running Girl
Sassafras
Scullcap
skyblueSmiley Girl
SmokyGirl
SnowNymph
Sonja
Splash/LyndyS
Sunshine
Tarabull
TrailArtist
Treebait
Twigeater
TxWoodswoman
Utahiker
Wingding0
Wolfsister”

“Hey folks, you forgot me!

My current pack is a Golite Breeze. I love it! It weighs 15 oz. and has no hipbelt to worry with since its load capacity is 20 pounds. Ultralight is the way to go for me!”

“katibug - Do you work at the Sugarland R.C. in the backpacking office, by any chance? If so, are you the same lady who became married one or two years ago?”

“Lowe Alpine Netherworld ND70. The ND is for narrow dimensions. It's a womens' pack and I love it. I am in no way, shape or form petite but I do have a woman's curves and that is why I like a pack specifly for a female. I had problems with sternum straps falling in areas other than my sternum (lower) and I wasn't able to use them. My shoulders aren't narrow but the womens' pack seems to fit them better. It's an internal pack. I have had both external and internal...which is better is up to the individual. Both styles have good points and bad. I prefer the internal because I have poor balance and I feel more secure with the load closer. I also hated how noisey (creak, rattle, squeak) my external packs were.

If I had loads of money to spend on a new pack I'd choose a lighter one (the new version of my pack may be) but I'd still look for a womens' model.”

“I backpack with an Osprey Isis, which isn't made anymore, but Osprey does great things for little people. When I first started backpacking I used whatever I could borrow, which, incidently, tore my petite frame to shreds and made me wonder why anybody would consider this fun. Then the Isis came into my life. Osprey is genius at weight distribution. It's like you see everything going into your pack, then you put it on your back and wonder what happened to it all. At least try on an Osprey before you buy anything else. I swear, mine fits me so well it's like I gave birth to it myself. (now there's an unpleasant visual.)”

“I went through a couple other packs before I bought my Arc Teryx Bora 62, but they hurt. The Bora 62 is built for women. I'm 5'2" and my torso is 15 inches. A size small fits great.

I think you just need to buy your pack at a store that will take it back, even after months of use, when the pack doesn't work. REI took one of mine back after 5 months use. Trying it on in the store with weight helps, but actual use is the only way you'll know if the pack will work.”

“I'm using the Kelty Flight 4500 this year (3 lbs) I've been out with it 3 times so far and like it. I use my thermarest as a pad inside the pack for the back, but last weekend I sweat so much, the thermarest (side that was next to my back) was wet.

I'm 4'11, not curvy (no waist), size 3 pants, and torso is 16" (I don't think that's right).

My other packs:

Gregory Petit Dru (6 lbs), really comfortable, can't seem to get it clean, afraid to put it on.

Mountainsmith Chimera (3 lb 14 oz), used it last season, straps loosen up all the time, great with 20-25 lbs, but with more weight the straps dig into my shoulders.”

“I'm new to the forum, but I'm a girl too!

I use my boyfriends old pack and I like it, but hopefully soon, I hope to get one designed especially for woman. Especially if they are more comfortable for small woman.”

“Oops! That is I hope to get one designed especially for women! Sorry for the typo! Its late at night!

My boyfriend just told me that the pack I am using is a Black Bull junior.”

“Well I am not on the list but here goes.
I have a 16 inch torso and hard to fit. My shoulders are small so I have had packs I would like to toss off a mountain.
I LOVE my Jack Wolfskin Womens Trailhead. It fits great and no pain even on 15 to 20 mile days.
I carry around 30 pounds so if that gives you any help I hope so.
I also like the Osprey the fit is good on the smaller pack. I didn't care for the Luna even though we do sell it. My body is hard to fit.
But most women love that pack. For the money Jack Wolfskin is a great buy.
Good luck
Barbara
CGHiker”

“Barb,
You ARE on the list!”

“Barb, I put you on the list! Katibug isn't on the list (sorry) and Miss Opie (You could use your own name, or we can call you Missy). I'm sure there are others that I missed. But this list is about 50 names long now! Pretty cool.

Thank you for all your information. It does help. I have a better idea of the different options out there to try on, to see what fits me and later on, my daughters. And which pack brands are good to look at.”

“LyndyS - Should your name be included on the list?”

“Nowslimmer, stick with me here:

I am the hiker formerly known as Splash, formerly known as LyndyS, formerly known as young&creaky. These are not troll names, just different hairstyles.”

“Oh, and Nowslimmer, thank you for putting the list in alphabetical order.”

“Thanks. I see you are on the List, Splash/LyndyS.

And you're welcome. I simply did a Dos sort after failing to find the way in Word Perfect.”

“No, I do not work in the office. I am a Volunteer in the Park in the Smokies though. My husband and I got married on top of Mt. Leconte 7 years ago this May 5.”

“I have a Lowe Alpine Sundancer.

The pack carries 30 lbs max and I need the ability to carry more weight so I am looking for a new one.

I got one suggestion from an outfitter: the Mossy Falls. It is a $99 pack and sounds cheap and heavy (almost 6 lbs). So much for that advice.

I'm with Sassafrass, if I'm going to invest in a new pack I will go lighter and better.”

“Wow! What a great place for a wedding. Would sure like to hear about it sometime. Having trouble picturing the wedding party, parents and all, hiking there. I imagine that the official earned a generous reward for the effort. Did the Lodge have a record of the number of marriages there over the years, or was your's the first? Belated congratulations.”

“LyndyS...I would rather not be called Missy.. please just call me Miss Opie. Thanks :)”

“Whatever you do, I suggest you get a lightweight pack. Especially for a small person, the typical 5 or 6 lb. pack does more harm than good because of the weight you have to carry around. Perhaps check out the GoLite packs. Most are under 2 lbs.”

“Okay, no problem, Miss Opie.”

“I tried a lightweight Mountainsmith pack and it hurt and needed constant adjustment. I'd rather have a 6 lb pack that has the support it needs to carry weight than a 3 lb pack that isn't built to carry weight.

I'm trying to go light with all my other gear purchases. I don't want to carry more than 30 lbs, but I think that fit is more important than weight when it comes to the pack.”

“???”

“I agree don't buy a pack based on weight alone. Packs are basically machines and are not dead weight. I you find one that's efficient for the load you intend to carry, don't discount it if it weighs a pound or two more.”

“Weight distribution is sooooooo key. I was dayhiking with a friend once. She had a supersweet pack, I had a crappy little make do pack. I ended up carrying both packs for part of the hike. When I hooked my pack onto hers the combined weight of the two felt lighter because of the kick-hiney suspension system on her pack.”

“Holy smoke! I just checked out the Earth pack from go-lite. They've recalled them because they didn't think they were comfy enough in their field tests!!!!! What a cool company. And their packs aren't super expensive...$149 for a 4000 cu inch pack, not bad. They're only made to carry 30# loads though. Fine in summer but not possible for winter camping. Might look into one in the near future.”

“Hey I forgot Mothergoose has a new pack so far I think she loves it.
Equinox pack only weighs 20oz... She hiked with me 2 days and only problem was shoulder pads were a litte stiff. But sure they would break in. Price is right on this one too.......$109 to $119.
Barbara”

“Barbara, sorry to be such a pain, but I couldn't find any info on the equinox pound plus suspension and shoulder strap systems, hipbelt etc. It seems that one size fits all, but does it support a lightweight load well? Is Mothergoose petite? It looks like it might be a good choice for a preteen, except that I wonder how the mesh would avoid getting frequently snagged.”

“I'm 5'5" and ain't petite. The women specific packs haven't done it for me. Way too narrow in the shoulders.

Gregory and Arc Teryx are the packs I use. The Gregory for larger load and the AT for lighter loads when Tight Wad Bob is there to share gear. Both packs are a little weighty compared to some but it's comfort I care about!

Borrow or rent before you buy!”

“I am going to borrow a Gregory Shasta medium for myself to see if I want to buy it. The extra cu. inches would be helpful for winter packing or for when I take my kids. It sounds like the regular packs will work better for me than women packs since I don't have narrow shoulders. My daughters probably would benefit from the women-specific shoulder straps or youth sized packs for several years though. I looked at some daypacks that were 1950 cu inches and was surprised that they were the same size as school packs.”

“LyndyS, I've got the Gregory Shasta and the Forester. Both are great packs.”

“I have a mountain trek from LLBean, $99 and I got a third off. I had never been backpacking and bought my gear with no idea what I was doing, but I'm still using the same pack after ~15 years. It's purple, weighs 4.5lbs and holds 2950 cubic inches. It stands 34" tall, 15" wide, and 9" deep. I can't remember what size it is, but it has an adjustable torso thing. The only thing I replaced is the clip on the hip belt - it kept slipping.”

“Wow, Twigeater, you did okay for yourself with the price and durability.”

“I am using a pack like Snow Nymph has--mine is that white spectra. Even tho I am pretty short (but not as short as she is LOL) it fits me well. I think the most weight I have had in it is about 22 or 23 pounds so I don't know how I would like it with a heavier load. My boyfriend has the same pack and he has carried 30 pounds in it. He says it is comfy.”

“I am a medium sized woman - and have been most happy with the medium sized Gregory Reality that I've been using for the past three years. It's about 4000 ci and 5 lbs. I had a Lowe Alpine that was nice, but was heavier and not as comfortable over the long haul, especially with a heavy water load. I am not ready for ultralight - I like to carry the weight on my hips, not my shoulders, and since we do long distance hikes my weight, between food and water gets above what can be carried comfortably in a frameless pack. Some light packs that I've tried end up hitting my tailbone wrong when they're full, which gets painful. I've tried on women's packs, but there are few that are lightweight, since they usually have extra padding around the hips and collarbones. I am comfortable enough in a non gender specific pack, but I never use the sternum strap as it hits me too high. Snip snip!”

“I agree, Ginny, especially since a lot of the time I like to go out in colder weather. I have found that carrying the weight on my hips causes a lot less pain to my neck and shoulders. The Gregory packs really seem like they are highly regarded. Maybe MaryPhyl and SnowNymph's experience is more applicable to my search for a pack for my daughter who is smaller and won't be carrying a heavy load for a few years. Thank you everyone for the details of your pack experiences.”