Lumbar Pad rubbed me raw

[Hofhunter]

Need some opinions/thoughts here.

I’ve had this pack for 5 years now and on this last heavy pack out the lumbar pad rubbed me raw. This is the first time this has happened to me with this pack. I did lose some weight for the hunt but still with the weight lose I was at a medium belt size. I don’t know if I loaded it differently then the past or what.

But that being said would you get a new pack and maybe a different brand or would you just figure out what you did wrong with your current pack?

Is 5 years about the time to get something new and get with the current technology/new version of the markets external frames?

 

[Eastonsgrandpa]

If the foam has broken down, which definitely happens over time, it may not have enough to stick to your back correctly. May be giving too much under load. If you like the pack it may be worth calling the manufacturer and see if you can get a new lumbar pad.

Not knowing the make, I don’t know if that’s something they offer.

 

[Trail&ErrorAK]

Can you replace just the pad?
I know on my last big packout (2023) we saw a ton of rain and I'm not sure if it was that or just the 100 pounds (10 day back country hunt coming out with meat and horns on day 8) but the pad wouldn't sit and stay right now matter what I did and I've never had that issue before.

Haven't been able to recreate it since but I did buy a new lumbar pad just in case.