Need a new pack for a skinny teenager

[SDHNTR]

My son is a hard core backpacker that loves to hunt too. He just completed 200+ miles at Philmont and killed his old pack (and boots, and tent, and sleeping bag, $$$$!). He’s also skinny as a rail, growing like a weed, but hasn’t filled out yet. I’m sure that part is coming. I’d like to buy him a modular pack, where he can swap out the belt and harness and different bags as he grows and for different purposes. I’m a Stone Glacier guy, but even their small belt isn’t small enough. Do any other companies make a modular pack with a really small belt option?

 

[180ls1]

Depending how small you're talking Kuiu lets you swap belts, frames and bags very easily. 2nd hand market is "cheap" and plentiful as well.

 

[SDHNTR]

I’m

Depending how small you're talking Kuiu lets you swap belts, frames and bags very easily. 2nd hand market is "cheap" and plentiful as well.

not small enough. Their small goes to 28”, as do most. I need smaller. He wears 28” pants, but that’s not how pack belts are measured. He’s out of town right now so I can’t measure his actual hip measurements, but they are probably in the 24-26” actual range.

 

[JF_Idaho]

I’m

not small enough. Their small goes to 28”, as do most. I need smaller. He wears 28” pants, but that’s not how pack belts are measured. He’s out of town right now so I can’t measure his actual hip measurements, but they are probably in the 24-26” actual range.

I think that IS how SG belts are measured. They say by pant size.

But aside from that I got my wife a small belt SG Krux she's a 28" and there's plenty of room to adjust down.

 

[180ls1]

I’m

not small enough. Their small goes to 28”, as do most. I need smaller. He wears 28” pants, but that’s not how pack belts are measured. He’s out of town right now so I can’t measure his actual hip measurements, but they are probably in the 24-26” actual range.

Have you confirmed that with them? I believe their belts size range is more than what is advertised.

You may just have to visit a tailor anyways.

 

[SDHNTR]

I think that IS how SG belts are measured. They say by pant size.

But aside from that I got my wife a small belt SG Krux she's a 28" and there's plenty of room to adjust down.

That’s not my experience. I did the pant size thing with my first SG frame and it did not fit, so I ordered the next size up. That one didn’t fit either. So I called them, they had me actually measure my hip dimensions, and they modified a belt to fit me properly.

 

[JF_Idaho]

That’s not my experience. I did the pant size thing with my first SG frame and it did not fit, so I ordered the next size up. That one didn’t fit either. So I called them, they had me actually measure my hip dimensions, and they modified a belt to fit me properly.

Gotcha. They definitely have that printed on their sizing guide. Maybe for the newer belts?

Again. She's a 28" waist. Maybe 30" illiac and the small belt could probably pull down another 3 or so inches. Probably more.

 

[SDHNTR]

Gotcha. They definitely have that printed on their sizing guide. Maybe for the newer belts?

Again. She's a 28" waist. Maybe 30" illiac and the small belt could probably pull down another 3 or so inches. Probably more.

That’s helpful. I’ll call them once I can get a tape around his skinny ass.

 

[roosiebull]

My son is a hard core backpacker that loves to hunt too. He just completed 200+ miles at Philmont and killed his old pack (and boots, and tent, and sleeping bag, $$$$!). He’s also skinny as a rail, growing like a weed, but hasn’t filled out yet. I’m sure that part is coming. I’d like to buy him a modular pack, where he can swap out the belt and harness and different bags as he grows and for different purposes. I’m a Stone Glacier guy, but even their small belt isn’t small enough. Do any other companies make a modular pack with a really small belt option?

How big is he? I’m 6’ even and start the fall around 150 and get down below 140 by the end, the x small k4 fits me perfectly

I wear 30x34 for reference

 

[SDHNTR]

How big is he? I’m 6’ even and start the fall around 150 and get down below 140 by the end, the x small k4 fits me perfectly

I wear 30x34 for reference

he’s probably 5-8 and 120# ish.

 

[croben]

Exo has a line for children/women, and they offer extra small belts that might fit him. He might get longer use out of a Exo with the ability to switch between two sizes of stays in their frames. According to their sizing chart, he could use both their 23.5in stays or their 25in stays. If you think he’s going to continue to grow, might be worth going with the 25in frame stays and then he can go to the bigger ones (26.5) in the future if need be.

 

[sndmn11]

Seek Outside has a small belt; I believe that isn't the bottomed out minimum, it's to the front ish of the illiac.

Hipbelt Gen 2.0 Castletrock

A water resistant backpacking hipbelt designed for seek outside packs

seekoutside.com

Exo's extra small should fit a mid 20s pant size

K4 Hipbelt

Pack fit and performance starts here. The K4 Hipbelt is included with every K4 Frame or K4 Pack System. This option to purchase a K4 Hipbelt is to facilitate any size changes that may be needed for users of K4 Packs. The K4 Hipbelt is only compatible with the K4 Frame. Made in the USA.

exomtngear.com

@Mark at EXO offers a trial period, I don't think @RyanSeek43 does. Both frames have the ability to grow with him, and the longevity to achieve it. Both still independently owned and made in the USA.

 

[Whaledriver]

Check out SG. My son has a 28" waist and is fairly tall for his age. SG krux fits him well and has room to grow

 

[dirtytough]

Western Edge Gear makes packs that would fit him for sure.

 

[TheCougar]

My son is a hard core backpacker that loves to hunt too. He just completed 200+ miles at Philmont and killed his old pack (and boots, and tent, and sleeping bag, $$$$!). He’s also skinny as a rail, growing like a weed, but hasn’t filled out yet. I’m sure that part is coming. I’d like to buy him a modular pack, where he can swap out the belt and harness and different bags as he grows and for different purposes. I’m a Stone Glacier guy, but even their small belt isn’t small enough. Do any other companies make a modular pack with a really small belt option?

I would reach out to @nodakian at Western Edge. He is awesome and if it doesn’t exist, he can probably make it.

 

[Oakman]

Teton explorer backpack , good quality without breaking the bank

 

[Dos XX]

I have an SG Solo that I would make you a deal on. It has a medium belt, which is too big for him, but you might need it later if he fills out. Of course you woukd have buy a small belt in the mean time. This only works if you determine the small belt will work for him.