Seek Outside hipbelt question

[westsloper]

I used to own a Seek Outside Unaweep back in 2015, but I could never quite make it work for me. The hipbelt was nearly perfect, but I felt like I could use lumbar support to help with the fit (the frame leaned away from my back further up towards my shoulders). Now that a lumbar pad is available, I think I'm going to take the dive again and get a SO pack.

The hipbelt is changed. Like many people, to me it seems like a downgrade at first glance. But I get that it was done for a reason and am willing to try it out.

But I am concerned about having the thin (1 inch?) straps on a hipbelt. With other packs with narrow hipbelt straps and buckles, they dig in and can get pretty uncomfortable. An example of this is the Granite Gear Crown and to a lesser extent the ULA Catalyst. A wider hipbelt strap and buckle feels much better for me.

Has this been an issue for anyone else? Does having two straps and buckles negate the digging in? Does the optional single buckle help?

 

[bmf0713]

I just received my SO lanner and I like the 2 straps. I can adjust it to form around my hips better. I’ve only had 50# in it and I’m still trying to get the best fit but I like it so far. I haven’t tried the single buckle. I thought it was suppose to come with one so I didn’t order one. I like being able to change the thickness of the lumbar bad too.

 

[stevie]

I have the Goshawk, been fine using the dual strap with around 50 pounds. I have put around 20 miles on it.

 

[SCOGS]

I like the seek outside belt. It wraps around the hips and it very comfortable. I think the lumbar pad is a really bad accessory though. The way it attaches by wrapping around the belt allows it to slide up and down and it can almost ball up as the hipbelt pushes downward on it.

I had the same issue with the frame leaning away from my back at the top. This seemed to be caused by the shape of the frame. The curvature seems to be designed for someone taller. It helped to drop the frame all the way down on the belt, but still an issue. And it seemd to be compounded by the way the shoulder harness attaches. There is so much give there it allows the frame to lean back away from you. You could fix that by tightening the load lifters as this would pull the frame tight to the back, but that was not comfortable for me either.

I ultimately moved away from the seek outside bags, but I own two before giving up for good. A lot of people love them, but if they weren't comfortable for you the first time I wouldn't make the same mistake twice thinking the lumbar pad will solve the issue.

 

[WhiteOak]

I have the newer model with the 2 straps, I use the single large buckle. I have not noticed any digging of the straps or even feel the individual straps.

 

[westsloper]

I ultimately moved away from the seek outside bags, but I own two before giving up for good. A lot of people love them, but if they weren't comfortable for you the first time I wouldn't make the same mistake twice thinking the lumbar pad will solve the issue.

Thanks for the advice. I'm afraid you might be right. Not a knock on Seek Outside - but not all packs fit all people.