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.

 

[rogerdoger]

My first thought is maybe the load lifters were not tight enough causing the pack to move a bit when walking.

 

[Hofhunter]

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.

I should be able to replace the pad.

Might give that a shot but definitely curious on the EXO 4kX

 

[Hofhunter]

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.

It was on a SG bag/frame.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

I replace my shoulder straps and pads nearly every year. No need to throw away a perfectly good frame or bag.

 

[nnmarcher]

It was on a SG bag/frame.

SG replaced my lumbar pad this year, no questions asked, after I sent a pic and asked if they were available to purchase replacements. It was a big improvement, I will replace it more frequently instead of letting it get so flat.

 

[Eastonsgrandpa]

It was on a SG bag/frame.

They are one of the easiest companies to work with on this kind of stuff. I wished their frame had fit me well. They even sent me a set of straight stays to try when I was trying to dial it in. Unfortunately it just didn’t work but those guys are salt of the earth.