Osprey Hip Belt Question

“I have a new Osprey Aether 85 pack with the moldable hip belt. My question is: is it necessary to have the hip belt molded. I went in the store to have it done with a pair of jeans on and they said that if they molded it with jeans on the belt loops would show in the belt forever more. I decided to wait until I had my hiking apparel on the mold the belt. Then I got to thinking (that causes a lot of problems,) If they heat the belt up to 300 plus degrees what does that do the life of the plastic parts?

How many of you Osprey owners have had the belt molded and is it worth the effort?”

“I have an Osprey and I haven't had my molded. I don't feel like it needs to. I was told that over time it would mold to you with the heat of your body while hiking. I don't know if that's true, but I don't have any problems with the way it fits.”

“Thanks for the input.”

“This might be a new thing since I bought my Osprey pack, but I never had it done. I love my pack.”

“I have the Ariel and I did not mold the hip belt. I have used the pack now for two seasons and have had no problems with the belt fitting just fine.”

“I have the molded belt. I had to buy a smaller belt when I lost weight, so I used the opportunity to get the molded belt. It does feel much better than before - get it molded if you have the chance.”

“That's one of the things I love about these packs. You can change the hip belt and the shoulder straps if you need to.”

“I have an Aether an I thought the belt molding was just a selling point but I have changed my mind I took it into REI store for them to mold the belt all the plastic parts do not go into the oven. The person that told you that it would mold to your jean belt loops did not want to mess with you, you wear the belt above your hip (I do not wear my jeans that high) I do not know about it molding to your waist with your body heat. I think that it is a selling gimmick but the molding of the belt helps
last edited: 1/23/07 2:20:04 PM”

“i believe it takes way more heat than you'll create with body heat.

I've heard nothing but good reviews of the molding making the fit and comfort better.”

“Again, thanks for the input. I really did not like the sales person, whom would have done the molding job, and was glad for an opportunity to exit the store and come back later, when I could get a more qualified person. It is not too much of an inconvienence to stop by. I just did not know if it would be worth the effort. The pack seems comfortable without the molding.”

“I have been carrying an Ariel for a while now and I've noticed that the belt has molded to my shape over time. It is definitely not the 'standard' shape anymore. And it is extremely comfortable!”