Big People Hiking Gear

[InsaneBoost]

I was wondering if anyone could point me in the direction of a site or possibly altercation pieces that would work for big people.

I'm about 300 pounds now and have been losing weight, but it doesn't disappear at night and I would think most straps wouldn't fit around me (could be wrong though).

Are there any sites that have "big and tall" type sections? Or will I need to buy pieces to alter the equipment to work with my body?

Thanks

[gary c.]

I asked a simular question for a friend of mine that was having a hard time keeping his pack from sliding down. It was sugested to get an old school external pack that just used a web belt without all the padding on the hips. He said that it helped but he didn't use it for long. He lost the wieght and went back to his internal frame pack.

[Mike M.]

Most REI stores have informal relationships with local businesses that do repairs for tents and packs and other gear. Ask the customer service desk at REI for a referral for alterations.

I live in Portland, OR and we have a nice little shop here that periodically keeps my old external frame pack tuned up. They do repairs by mail order too. See: http://www.mtnsoles.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You might also Google "hiking gear repairs" or something like that in your area to come up with a local repair shop that can make the alterations you require (and do the measurements so they turn out the way you want them).

Mike

[InsaneBoost]

Okay great, thanks for that information.

[paul]

For modifications: http://specialtyoutdoors.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There are also custom pack makers out there, you might consider that:
http://www.mchalepacks.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - top of the line but tends toward durability over lightest weight

http://www.zimmerbuilt.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; focused on lightweight packs



For larger sizes of stuff, try Cabela's. Probably not the lightest of light but they tend to have larger sizes from what I've seen.