Finding a Backpack for a Short Torso
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- Опубліковано 28 чер 2024
- Finding the perfect backpack for my Appalachian Trail thru-hike has been a big challenge. As a petite woman with a short torso the options have been limited. I am going to detail out all the packs I tried so that you can save time and money in your search for the per fitting pack. There were some hard lessons learned and a lot of wasted time. As always, thanks for bearing with me as I learn video editing!
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Packs Mentioned in this video:
Osprey Kyte 46 Backpack- amzn.to/2IlfV8K
Osprey Lumina 45- amzn.to/2TqZnCK
Osprey Lumina 60- amzn.to/2wr26TE
Osprey Eja- amzn.to/2VKsjqJ
Zpacks Arc Scout 50L- zpacks.com/products/arc-scout...
Gossamer Gear G2-40- www.gossamergear.com/collecti...
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Windrider- www.hyperlitemountaingear.com...
Granite Gear Crown 60 Women’s- amzn.to/32PieKw
REI Flash 55 Women’s- www.rei.com/product/148671/re...
About my videos:
In March, I start my Appalachian Trail 2020 Solo NOBO Thru-Hike! Follow along as I adventure all 2200 miles across 14 states this year. Say it with me "2200 in 2020"!
I am going to be documenting my adventures weekly and hope you join along for the wild ride! Be sure to like and subscribe And most importantly let me know your questions in the comments. I look forward to sharing and connecting with you and hearing about your journeys, on the AT and behind. Happy hiking!
*********Social Media & Website************
Instagram: / peelwithzeal
Blog: www.peelwithzeal.com/
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My comments are 2 years late, but thank you for representing petite women/short torso. I have 5’1” on a good day with a 14.5-15” torso, narrow shoulders, and it has been challenging to find fitting packs. Though I am now quite happy with my Gregory Maven 55 in XS. It is not the lightest, but it works for shorter backpacking trips.
Thank you very much, I've been researching women's backpacks for my daughter and your content was super helpful. Peace
edit: I almost forgot, my daughter, is 4' 11"!
Glad it helped!
Back in the old days, people with short torsos would often use what boy/girl scouts used and I knew a few who had good success but those were often external frame packs in the 4lb range. I don't know if modern scouts are in to ultralight but it might be worth researching. As far as water bottle carriers you might want to look at a device called Aqua clip that just snaps on to the neck of any capacity smart water bottle up to 1 liter. I use these and the benifit is you can clip them on your hip belt where they are readily accessible and the weight is directly on your hips with no chance of adding stress to shoulders/back. You seem to have done good research and outside of a custom pack maker like Waymark I can't offer any other ideas. Best of Luck!
Thanks for the feedback!!!
Take it from another who’s been down this huge decision road, you’ve given really good info to consider. I’m 5’2” and the struggle to get a well-fitting pack is tough. I’ve come to the same conclusion. The pack I already have, the ULA Circuit, is close to perfect for me...but my heart still lusts after that REI Flash pack with some awesome features. LOL!
Thank you for the thorough review!! It's so hard to find info for us short ladies. Really appreciate this video and the time you put into it!
Glad it was helpful!
Had the same problem! I loved (and still love) my Gregory Jade because it fits my petite frame perfectly, but it's a standard backpack and heavier. I needed to cut some weight for a longer thru hike because I'll be bringing my dog and will need to carry some of his stuff. Even the customizable packs from the smaller cottage companies can be a problem because you can customize the torso height and hip belt, but then they use the same size straps for all the packs. Some offer different styles (ie-J strap vs S strap) but the strap lengths and widths are the same no matter if you're 115 lbs or 300 lbs.
I just ordered one from Lite AF. Six months wait but they are cutting down the straps for m. 🤞
Refreshing female perspective (and solution). Wide apart straps are so painful!! I've had the swollen clavicles and shoulder joints to prove it!
I am hoping to get a custom one later this year. 🤞
Wow! I did not expect you to end up with the same pack. My pack is 20yrs old but fits perfectly (Lowe Alpine internal frame w/ adjustable torso). I took it out of retirement to start backpacking with my sons and am considering something new and hopefully lighter. I think I'll do some shopping but also consider if I want to work on the old girl.
It lasted the whole AT but I am bought a custom pack this summer. Only used it once so far.
Being a petite woman makes most of these backpacks very cumbersome & painful to wear. I have to do some research and try on a few more before I make my next purchase, but this video certainly helps going forward. Thanks for the video! Happy trails!
Glad you found it helpful!
Thanks for the perspective! As a woman with a 14" torso and large chest, this was so helpful. Curious, did the Arc Scout rub your inner arms, or was it uncomfortable I other ways? I love my Gregory Jade 53l XS but it's over 3 lbs so I have been hoping to find something lighter while still having a separate mesh back panel.... It rubs my arms too but I have accepted it as a sacrifice I'm willing to make lol. The Zpacks Arc Scout seems to be the only UL pack option on the market with that criteria... I had been considering ordering out of their bargain bin but now I think I'll wait for a chance to try one on.
Sorry just saw this comment. Yes it rubbed my arms. Other than that great. I just tried a ULA Circuit but the hostel I am at doesn't have the s straps in a xs torso. Going to try that post hike. To nervous to switch in the middle. Plus the Circuit fits a bear can!
Curious if you ended up switching? If so which did you go with? I’m 5 ft even and am struggling to find a pack. Thank you for all of your input!
I ended up carrying the Kyte for the entire AT. But as I lost weight the hip belt was too big. A little uncomfortable. I just ordered a LITEAF pack. Planning to do a video on it but it won't be here for 5 months💁♀️
@@CookingUpAdventure did the liteaf work out? Your video has been soooooo helpful and reassuring that I'm not going crazy that standard packs are not fitting just right.
@@swong005 Yes and No. I love the wait band but it needs to be broken in a bit so the straps rest comfortably. But it really is LITE AF!
You need to get a backpack made
Even most custom packs aren’t small enough.
But stay tuned for my next video…
Finally another female who does not want a teal or purple backpack……thank you!!!
ive been doing a lot of research into packs. I'm only 5 feet and that's actually the first thing I noticed. what's with the colors or lack there of choice in color. purple or teal . maybe a grayish every now and then, but then the pack always seems to have more parts that you don't need and it doesn't fit at all. rather irritating.
I finally broke down and ordered a custom pack. I was going to get grey or black... but went rainbow. Trying to embrace the colors!