Pack Comfort Expectations

[CObuglechaser]

I'm wondering what you guys with high-end packs experience as far as comfort goes when you're carrying heavy (60+ pounds) loads. I bought a used, higher-end pack from someone on here (I won't say which kind as to not hurt the reputation of the company) and loaded it up yesterday with 65# and went on a ruck up and down a gradual hill. I'd have to say that "comfort" is not a word I would use to describe the way it rode on my hips and shoulders. The hip belt was digging into my hip bone pretty badly and today there's a pretty good bruise. I wouldn't consider 65# to be that heavy of a load. This is an older(4-5 years old), well-used model of frame and suspension and I'm wondering if the padding is just worn down that much. What is your experience on comfort level with heavy loads?


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[RCR]

I'm wondering what you guys with high-end packs experience as far as comfort goes when you're carrying heavy (60+ pounds) loads. I bought a used, higher-end pack from someone on here (I won't say which kind as to not hurt the reputation of the company) and loaded it up yesterday with 65# and went on a ruck up and down a gradual hill. I'd have to say that "comfort" is not a word I would use to describe the way it rode on my hips and shoulders. The hip belt was digging into my hip bone pretty badly and today there's a pretty good bruise. I wouldn't consider 65# to be that heavy of a load. This is an older(4-5 years old), well-used model of frame and suspension and I'm wondering if the padding is just worn down that much. What is your experience on comfort level with heavy loads?


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First thing I would do is contact the mfr and make sure it is the correct size and that it is fitted properly.

If you haven't carried a pack regularly with weight, I would anticipate some discomfort, maybe not the bruising though. When I've had bruising the pack wasn't fit properly for me.


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[realunlucky]

Heavy packs sucks quality packs with weight suck less. Make sure you have it adjusted properly to fit you. Some packs fit differently and can't be adjusted to fit everyone.

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[Gumbo]

65 pounds shouldn't be that uncomfortable, especially to where it was digging into you to the point where you got a bruise. Maybe the fit needs to be adjusted? I've NEVER got a bruise from any pack, and I've run lots of them over the years (MR, Kifaru, SG, Eberlestock, Badlands, Arcteryx, etc). Some were more uncomfortable than others of course, no matter how I adjusted them, so I sold them. I can't imagine the padding being worn down that badly unless it was used a lot. I have a NICE frame that has been put through hell for about that long and it is still great. My suggestion is to try to adjust the fit with weight in the pack. There are some videos on youtube for fitting many of the high end brands (Kifaru, SG, MR). If that doesn't work you might have to try a different pack. Bummer.

 

[mfolch]

Many factors are at play here beside weight and padding: back curvature vs frame curvature, frame size vs torso length, distribution of weight in the pack itself, etc. It takes me a few weeks of regular training to fine-tune each new pack I've ever purchased. One thing to consider doing is starting with much lower weight--35lbs--and making sure the pack rides perfectly throughout a long hike, and then incrementally increasing the weight, fine tuning the pack as you go, until you hit your target weight. I find that how a pack rides changes depending on how much weight you carry and with each passing mile. I've gotten to the point that 75lbs on reasonably flat-to-hilly terrain feels almost like nothing with my kifaru hunting frame, but throw in a series of fallen logs or a scramble up a steep hill, and no matter how finely tuned the pack and frame, it still sucks. And some frames I could never get to work for me--sg's straight frame and kifaru bikini, for instance.

 

[Felix40]

I run a kifaru bikini and every time I load it heavy I'm blown away by how comfortable it is. Ive even commented that it feels more comfortable with 65# in it than it does empty. I imagine the newer frames are even better.

 

[Kadehunts]

What kind of belt where you wearing? Big factor in hip comfort with a heavy load. Some sort of a climbing type belt is best. Fitting is also a big factor. I've carried 115# in my Kifaru pack and experienced no discomfort beyond the sheer weight of the load.


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[TJ]

I've never really had discomfort from the pack itself, well, the ones I have now anyway.
Now the load I may be carrying is another thing. Heavy loads a just no fun.
I would not start out with heavy loads, let your body get used to the pack.

That said, I'm a Kifaru fan.

 

[oldgoat]

I bought a Kifaru Duplex year before last, went in and had it professionally adjusted for me and experienced pretty much the same thing, BUT I figured out I wasn't actually doing the everyday donning adjustments right when I was putting it on. Watched some of Aron's video closer, adjusted the shoulder straps and load lifters in the right order etc, and now the pack is comfortable like I expected. Along with prewear adjustments, you have to get all the donning adjustments right and you have to have the correct stays for your back type etc. If it is Kifaru there are three places around town(I see you're in Littleton) you can take it in to have it adjusted, there may actually be four, if it's Mystery Ranch, there is one place that I know of. Even if it's not one of these two manufacturers, there are places that can and will help you adjust and don it correctly, at least buy something from them if you get help. And one more thought, how you load the training weight is critical to comfort also, a real heavy weight in the bottom of a pack will jack your back up too! There are some good podcasts on YouTube from the Grittybowmen that cover pack loading etc. If you don't know the local places to go get it adjusted, feel free to PM me.

 

[KMT]

I have never had a bruise from a pack, even a "lower" end one. With 65 pounds, the straps shouldn't be digging into your shoulders. However, the shoulders should bear some of the load. Sounds like he pack isn't fitted to you. Go online or to a descent store and ask them to help adjust the pack to fit you. If the pack is way too big or small, you won't get a lot of relief.

 

[CObuglechaser]

First thing I would do is contact the mfr and make sure it is the correct size and that it is fitted properly.

If you haven't carried a pack regularly with weight, I would anticipate some discomfort, maybe not the bruising though. When I've had bruising the pack wasn't fit properly for me.


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As far as sizing goes, it is the correct size waist belt and frame for my body according to the specifications from manufacturer. I guess it's possible that I don't have the yoke adjustment at the correct height.

I have consistently carried around 40# in a different pack (lower end) but never had the problem with the hip belt digging in, mainly because it was a one-size-fits all hip belt, and I could never get it tight enough. I always had more weight on my shoulders with that one.


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[CObuglechaser]

What kind of belt where you wearing? Big factor in hip comfort with a heavy load. Some sort of a climbing type belt is best. Fitting is also a big factor. I've carried 115# in my Kifaru pack and experienced no discomfort beyond the sheer weight of the load.


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The belt is one that is supposed to be for my waist size, but not a 3-piece belt. The previous owner said that he had used the pack quite a bit and had packed out multiple animals with it. I'm wondering if maybe the padding is just worn down quite a bit. Supposedly, the padding was beefed up in the newer model of this belt.


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[mrbillbrown]

Lots of variables go into pack fit and how it carries. Best recommendation is to call the manufacturer with your questions and concerns and let them talk you thru some possible cures.

Early on in my pack learning....I was letting the pack ride too low on my hips and once I moved everything north it started feeling much better. I also had issues with the way I loaded my weight. Too low and it wanted to slip down (combined with the belt not resting on the top of my hip bones) and when I loaded the weight too high it acted like a cantilever and seemed to drive the weight into my lumbar causing some discomfort. Proper heavy weight loading made a world of difference for me. Now it's second nature and I can carry 35-125# equally well just suffering from sheer weight alone. Not carrying discomfort.


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[oldgrowth]

To me, comfortable is being able to Carry heavy loads without bruising or raw spots. I have found that carrying heavy loads up the suck factor no matter what pack I have had. But at the end of the trip I don't have lasting effects (other than maybe sore muscles) like bruising or raw areas with a high end pack. That said, I do get sore points at the front of my hip bones with heavier loads or long hikes, but not bruising. Having a pack that I can shift the load from my shoulders to my hips and back has helped with some of the more strenuous hikes. All I can say is that with the pack I have now, I am able to go farther with more weight than I could with a lesser pack. Fatigue seems to be my limiting factor now, not pain induced by a pack that doesn't fit properly or causes a hot spot. As stated above, proper pack loading can greatly help too.

 

[7mag.]

If you're experiencing pain and discomfort in your shoulders and hips, the pack is not adjusted to you correctly. How you load your pack plays a huge part as well. You also need to condition your body for heavy weight. If i take a few weeks off from pack training, my hips get sore too.

 

[bitetnebullet]

I think the belt that arizonabowman was referring to is the one that you might be wearing to hold your pants up. as the wrong one under the pack belt can be a real problem for the hips.

 

[CObuglechaser]

What kind of belt where you wearing? Big factor in hip comfort with a heavy load. Some sort of a climbing type belt is best. Fitting is also a big factor. I've carried 115# in my Kifaru pack and experienced no discomfort beyond the sheer weight of the load.


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I actually wasn't wearing a pants belt because I was wearing some sweat pants with a draw string.


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[CObuglechaser]

I think the belt that arizonabowman was referring to is the one that you might be wearing to hold your pants up. as the wrong one under the pack belt can be a real problem for the hips.

Gotcha. No belt was worn, just sweat pants with a draw string.


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[boom]

i bought a pack new and it took some trial and error to get it to fit right...the pack is a good one..(rhymes with jill-fa-roo). i have hauled a lot of weight with it. it fits me great, and is a great feeling pack on my trips.

honestly, i laugh inside when someone types.."makes 50lbs feel like 30lbs". err..no. a big awkward sucky load, stays that way. laws of physics does not disappear. for me, 65lbs is getting to the heavier side of things. i wouldnt backpack with that heavy of a pack. there is some discomfort of the load pulling down on my soft bits. there is no magic bullet. not for me.

 

[Northernpiker]

If you tell us what pack you have we might be able to give more definitive answer. We've pretty much heard good and bad about all pack brands and wouldn't string you up about it( at least most of us wouldn't).