Best modern hunting packs for skinny guys with ghost hips

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Aug 16, 2025
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Hey guys, new here, but not new to the pain of backpacking with skinny hips. I have to really crank on the hip belt over my illiac crests for it to stay up until I can't breath and my hips are red and bruised. Even then it will slide with sufficient weight in the pack until too much weight is on my shoulders and I get quite a bit of pain on the shoulders and neck. This is particularly problematic for meat hauling. Any skinny hunters out there who've solved this problem? I'm currently using a mystery ranch Metcalf.
 
I’m kinda skinny. 6’3” 205ish lbs. The problem you speak of was never as bad for me but I definitely have noticed that with past packs. If you have exhausted all means of adjusting the problem out of your pack, I’d say try a pack with a wider belt. I have an exo k4 now and the wide belt does a great job of distributing the load without causing hot spots.
 
Hey guys, new here, but not new to the pain of backpacking with skinny hips. I have to really crank on the hip belt over my illiac crests for it to stay up until I can't breath and my hips are red and bruised. Even then it will slide with sufficient weight in the pack until too much weight is on my shoulders and I get quite a bit of pain on the shoulders and neck. This is particularly problematic for meat hauling. Any skinny hunters out there who've solved this problem? I'm currently using a mystery ranch Metcalf.

I would say try an EXO K4. I had a similar experience with other packs including the previous EXO versions but the K4 stays in place. The frame that worked well was the Kifaru tactical frame.
 
I have the same problem. The k3 I had was great for light loads but no matter what I did would not stay put over 30lbs. The kifaru that I used for years until the k4 came out would stay put if I really cranked the belt tight but it was far from comfortable. The k4 has worked the best for me but I still have to crank the belt down when loaded heavy. I have started putting a a piece of leuko tape on my hip pointers before I crank the belt down on pack outs and that has helped a lot with the rubbing issues on my hips.
 
Kifaru bruised me and wore hot spots on me the worst of the packs I tried. SG Krux was a little better, but not great, and then the Xcurve worked great for me. Just got an ExoK4 a month ago and so far so good with it as well.

Never tried any other packs with a great deal of weight (100+) so can’t comment on them. But have hauled two 100+ loads with stone glaciers for 5-7 miles packing mulies out and been fine. Hoping to be packing a couple elk in the exo in a month, to have some experience with it.
 
I have skinny hips - I look at the wide belts on many of these packs and they just aren’t well shaped to make the most of the situation. My old as dirt DANA packs are stiff and nicely cupped in the right way to work well. Today the only packs that have stiff countured belts I’m impressed with are Osprey recreational packs, but I haven’t hauled weight with one. Check em out, maybe rent or borrow one if possible.
 
I’m another slim build and out of trying K3/K4, Kifaru and Stone Glacier, the SG carries loads better than any of the rest for me. I use both the Krux and X-Curve and they both just seem to stick.
 
I had the same problem with my MR guide light frame. I have heard good things about the ov innovations lumbar pad. I ended up going with a kifaru which has a lumbar pad with a lot more grip. I have come to the conclusion that a big grippy lumbar is essential for me.. no hips, or but.

 
I have had similar issues being 6’2” and 185lbs. I ordered a Kifaru Duplex Lite frame with the Stryker XL bag and I got the long shoulder straps. After a year I couldn’t figure out how to get the hip belt and lumbar pad from sliding down no matter how hard I cranked in the belt or shoulder straps. I turns out that even though I am tall I only needed the normal length shoulder straps. Once I got new shoulder straps and made a few adjustments I am hiking 3 miles with 70lbs and no problems while training this offseason.
 
I have the same issue. What helped me was buying a pack about a size lower on the hip belt than I normally would. One problem I was having was that I would buy a pack based on the amount of adjustment for back length, but the hip belt would run out of tightness adjustment as my iliac crests compress during a hike. Measuring my hip size for normal pants didn't help much, since I'm pretty sure I lose a few inches of hip circumference as my pelvis compresses some under a load. A smaller hip belt seemed to help with that because I could crank it tighter without running out of adjustment. Maybe you're skinnier than me though--I'm 6' and 180 lbs. I have actually been pretty happy with my Mystery Ranch packs though.
 
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