Need Hipbelt Help

“I have an old Alpenlite backpack with external wraparound aluminum frame... wonderful pack but the hipbelt is getting old and makes my hips sore, so trying to find anyplace near San Francisco Bay area to rebuild it, or any ideas how to increase comfort, similar to newer internal frame hipbelts. Any places to look, or ideas to do my own repair/upgrade?”

“Before you think you need to replace the belt, be sure you aren't wearing anything under it that might dig in and chafe your hips and skin. Seams, buttons, belt loops, and even underwear elastic can cause some big time grief between you and the hipbelt.”

“Hmm. You could check the hipbelts on existing packs in local shops and see if there are any that could be modified to attach to the Alpenlite. Most companies do sell replacement belts.”

“Campmor sell one? I thought I remember seeing a replacement belt on there...”

“HPM had to do this to one of his old external frame packs. He might have some advice.”

“One of my hiking buddies has a similar hip belt like that. Tears the hell out his hips, too. Prolly doesn't help that he carries 75+ lbs in either.

I'd try campmor. They seem to have a pretty good selection of replacement stuff.

You might want to take a shot at ebay. I found replacement stuff for my Coleman I had a long time ago.”

“Is Alpenlite even still around?
Try to find them first.

If no then try to find a gear shop that stocks externals and see if any of the hip belts they have might fit your pack (or be made to fit with a wee bit of modification).

If no dice then you need to find someplace that sells upholstery foam. Get new foam and either stitch in an additional layer of foam into the existing belt or see if a seamstress or upholstery shop can stitch you a new one.

If you are going with the last option (custom new belt) you probably ought to consider a new pack. It might be more cost effective.
last edited: 5/14/07 10:35:15 AM”

“I have a Alpinlite frame and a few years back I made a new belt. The difficulty is in the attactment to the frame with the pin on the belt side. I'll try to find the pack to see what I did.
With a light bag( homemade) and lighter belt that pack is great for hot weather desert water hauling.”