Eberlestock Mainframe Hipbelt Upgrade

[Another Clever Username]

A EXO hipbelt works pretty well with a mainframe pack. For me the belt raises the pack frame and sits in the small of my back much better. I did not like the eberlestock belt at all.

 

[dylanvb]

Have you packed this with a load yet? If so how much?
I have an everlestock mainframe and I really only use it for the stairmaster at my gym. I’m curious how this would feel with a good amount of weight.

 

[Tgf99]

That’s an interesting idea. I bout the padded eberlestock hip belt and didn’t love that either so I stuck with the stock one

 

[Another Clever Username]

No I haven’t used it in the wild yet. I haven’t packed an animal out with the belt attached.

I have loaded weight on the pack and checked it out like i would any other pack. The results were positive. I sold the mainframe since there were other features I didn’t like. I’ve done a lot of backpacking with all types of loads and am confident in my ability to judge a packs fit.

One thing that might be required is to cut the two buckles off of the bottom of the EXO pack. I thought these might cause problems but in my fitting I was surprised they didn’t make much of a difference or dig into the small of my back.

What did surprise me about the EXO belt was what a difference was made by having the shoulder straps sewn into the belt it really uncoupled the frame from the hip belts. This was good for mobility and could be an issue fully loaded. I’ve had packs that have a cinch buckle between the frame and belt and this would be a modification I would have performed. Or just switched back to the Mainframe shoulder straps anchorage location and had a more ridged suspension.