Backpacks for big boys?

Share your advice and personal experiences, post a gear review or ask any questions you may have pertaining to outdoor gear and equipment.
User avatar
Tom_H
Topix Expert
Posts: 795
Joined: Tue Jul 10, 2012 1:11 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Camas, WA

Re: Backpacks for big boys?

Post by Tom_H »

Apparently, in an effort to cut weight, Gregory has discontinued the Denali Pro after many years. You can see one here:
https://www.rei.com/product/648696/greg ... i-pro-pack
It has been replaced with the lighter and slightly smaller Denali 100.

I recently sold my house in CA and will soon begin building in WA. I have 5 Denali Pro packs deep in a storage container, 3 are size L (the largest made). I had forgotten, but Maverick is correct about the yoke and belt. You may be able to call Gregory and still get an XL size set of shoulder straps and hip belt. These should fit the size L bag (which is 107 liters). When I unpack my storage POD in April, I will be happy to sell you a used Denali Pro at a fraction of the original price.

Here is the Mystery Ranch 6500. It also is 107 liters.
http://www.mysteryranch.com/6500-pack
User avatar
Wandering Daisy
Topix Docent
Posts: 6640
Joined: Sun Jan 24, 2010 8:19 pm
Experience: N/A
Location: Fair Oaks CA (Sacramento area)
Contact:

Re: Backpacks for big boys?

Post by Wandering Daisy »

Just because you are a big person, does NOT mean you need a big capacity pack (expedition). Just a pack that fits you. I think XL straps and hip belt on a large size pack of moderate capacity (60 L) would work well. An overweight person is really helped out by using light gear- they are already carrying more pounds on their body than I carry in my pack! Regardless of size you should be able to go a weekend with about 20-25 pounds of gear and food.
User avatar
ericZ
Topix Regular
Posts: 161
Joined: Sun Jul 29, 2007 10:41 am
Experience: Level 2 Backpacker
Location: fresno, ca.

Re: Backpacks for big boys?

Post by ericZ »

Thanks for the offer Tom. I'll run it by my friend, but I'm with wandering daisy, he doesn't need a BIG pack. i'm thinking that he should stick to something 60-70 liters to help cut down on the possibility of carrying too much gear. I believe he just needs something with a long enough hipbelt and adjustable shoulder spacing that will fit him for carrying 30-45lbs comfortably. as he goes lighter weight, his gear will too.

eric
fresno, ca.
User avatar
Tom_H
Topix Expert
Posts: 795
Joined: Tue Jul 10, 2012 1:11 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Camas, WA

Re: Backpacks for big boys?

Post by Tom_H »

While not an absolute, large packs also tend to have large straps and belts. I am not advocating the person needs to fill up an expedition pack, far from it. Also true is that expedition packs tend to be longer. If you take a small pack and put XL belt and shoulder straps on it for a big person, you are running the risk that the torso fit is simply too short. I don't know how tall this person is. A short pack on a taller person requires a long set of shoulder straps. Keeping everything ideally positioned can be difficult and cause discomfort in the shoulders, neck, and back. It just works better for a tall person to have a long pack that matches the length of the torso.

Also to consider is that the XL belts for a small pack may be thin (narrow) and prone to dig in at the hips. The highly padded yoke gear from expedition packs can make a huge difference in the way that even moderate weight impacts the hips of an overweight person. Having led numerous commercial trips I have had to swap out the yoke systems between packs and deal with this exact situation many times. Without having the person in front of me with a large assortment of gear, my instinct still would be to go with an expedition size L pack with XL yoke, carry a light load, and use the generous cinch straps to tighten everything down appropriately.
User avatar
gary c.
Topix Fanatic
Posts: 1479
Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2006 4:56 pm
Experience: N/A
Location: Lancaster, CA

Re: Backpacks for big boys?

Post by gary c. »

I would eco the suggestion of an external pack. I had a buddy with the same problem and even after he got an internal pack that he could wear it kept sliding down and all the wieght ended up on his shoulders. Someone suggested an external frame with just a web belt instead of a padded hip belt and he was much happier.
"On this proud and beautiful mountain we have lived hours of fraternal, warm and exalting nobility. Here for a few days we have ceased to be slaves and have really been men. It is hard to return to servitude."
-- Lionel Terray
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 47 guests