Hipbelt pain on my thighs

[timbernomad]

I went out with Seek Outside pack with about 30 lbs in it, and the hipbelt caused some serious discomfort in my quads when I went uphill. The hipbelt is very wide, and wearing it centered on my iliac crest caused the lower end to dig into my thighs when I’d take a step. I don’t know if this is a seek outside specific issue - most of the premium hunting packs have really wide belts. Have any of you experienced this?

 

[alexnelon]

Sounds like your hip belt is too low. It should almost ride on the iliac crest, not be centered on it like a belt for your pants would. The buckle should end up right under your belly button. If you couldn't easily take your pants all the way off with your pack on, the hip belt isn't high enough.

 

[wh0cansay]

Your iliac crest should be exactly in the middle of the hip belt. The position of your belly button has nothing to do with it - you are loading your pelvis, not your abdomen.

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[alexnelon]

Your iliac crest should be exactly in the middle of the hip belt.

That picture always bothers me because the belt appears an inch lower on one side than the other.

I prefer the middle of the belt to be like a half inch above the apex of the crest just like the left side of that picture but that's preference. Every body is slightly different but yes, the absolute lowest is middle of the belt on the highest part of the hip bone. Any lower and the belt doesn't bear weight correctly and you lose hip/leg mobility.

Preference aside, if OP can't bring their legs up, the belt is too low.

 

[douglasfir]

I’m curious if OP’s hipbelt is a little too big.