kelty camping backpack image
laurab
I am plus size, 22/24, and need a really good internal frame backpack for hiking and camping. I know a lot of the packs have small hip belt sizes and want to hear about some that don't. I am willing to pay a lot for good quality and a good fit.
Answer
No matter what size a person is, the best bet for getting the right fit in a pack is to go to a good outfitter, just as you would for hiking boots. Look for a shop that is mainly backpacking and other wilderness sports rather than the multi-sport chains. Some that come to mind are the chains REI and EMS. And most major metro areas have independent stores that sell packing and climbing gear.
I worked in that business for a number of years -- the sales people are mostly trained to fit you properly and should have weights (we used 5 and 10 pound cotton sacks of dried beans) that you can put in the packs to see how they feel on you fully packed.
You might want to look at some of the packs designed for climbers -- they tend to not have a hip belt since it gets in the way of the harness. Also, better regular internal frame packs (Kelty, Osprey, Lowe, Mountainsmith and Gregory) can often have the hip belts swapped out for different sizes or removed completely. Internal frame packs are mostly designed to have the shoulder harness bear the weight -- the hip belt is more for stabilization than weight transfer anyway. When I cross country ski tour I take the hip belt off my pack because it gets in the way. Several European internal frame pack brands like Karrimor and Sacs Millet make packs with no hip belt.
If you are not near a good outfitter shop, look online at CampMor's catalog. They have a good range of packs including several models built for women (narrower in the shoulders and shorter waisted than men's packs).
Incidentally, I do NOT recommend JanSport packs. I sold packs for 3 years for a vendor who had all the major brands. Our returns for defects and breakage with the Jansport packs were twice as much as for all other packs combined (and no, we did not sell more Jansport). I've also owned close to 30 packs of various makes during forty plus years of camping and the only ones I ever had blow out were both Jansport (frayed and burst seams, zippers and frames breaking, grommets pulling out.)
No matter what size a person is, the best bet for getting the right fit in a pack is to go to a good outfitter, just as you would for hiking boots. Look for a shop that is mainly backpacking and other wilderness sports rather than the multi-sport chains. Some that come to mind are the chains REI and EMS. And most major metro areas have independent stores that sell packing and climbing gear.
I worked in that business for a number of years -- the sales people are mostly trained to fit you properly and should have weights (we used 5 and 10 pound cotton sacks of dried beans) that you can put in the packs to see how they feel on you fully packed.
You might want to look at some of the packs designed for climbers -- they tend to not have a hip belt since it gets in the way of the harness. Also, better regular internal frame packs (Kelty, Osprey, Lowe, Mountainsmith and Gregory) can often have the hip belts swapped out for different sizes or removed completely. Internal frame packs are mostly designed to have the shoulder harness bear the weight -- the hip belt is more for stabilization than weight transfer anyway. When I cross country ski tour I take the hip belt off my pack because it gets in the way. Several European internal frame pack brands like Karrimor and Sacs Millet make packs with no hip belt.
If you are not near a good outfitter shop, look online at CampMor's catalog. They have a good range of packs including several models built for women (narrower in the shoulders and shorter waisted than men's packs).
Incidentally, I do NOT recommend JanSport packs. I sold packs for 3 years for a vendor who had all the major brands. Our returns for defects and breakage with the Jansport packs were twice as much as for all other packs combined (and no, we did not sell more Jansport). I've also owned close to 30 packs of various makes during forty plus years of camping and the only ones I ever had blow out were both Jansport (frayed and burst seams, zippers and frames breaking, grommets pulling out.)
What is the best backpacking tent for under 150$?
mr_mixer08
What is the best one person backpacking tent for under 150$? Im medium sized so dont have to be too long? just under 150$ lightweight and fit one person. thank you.
Answer
There are so many options in tents, it's tough to pick one that is the "Best." Some considerations you may want to look at:
1. 3 season or 4 season?
If you are intending to backpack in extreme cold / snow conditions, you'll want a 4 season tent. If not, then a 3 season (which is lighter in weight) would be fine.
2. single wall or double wall?
A single wall tent can be a LOT lighter - if you're going long distances that can be important. However, a single wall can also have condensation problems. A double wall tent can have a rain fly that goes all the way to the ground (great for inclement weather), or it can have a fly that only partially covers to the ground (lighter, and still offers rain protection).
3. free standing or no?
A free standing tent does not need to be staked to stand up - this is nice if you're camped in rocky areas. You still stake the tent down for wind - but the poles make it stand upright. With a non-free-standing tent, you have to take extra care to stake it well for the tent to remain solid.
Some one and two man tents to look at:
Eureka Spitfire - 3 season, double wall, not free standing - but weighs under 3 pounds.
Go-Lite Shangri-la 1 Shelter - 3-4 season, single wall, not free standing - weighs only 1 lb 2 ounces
Kelty Gunnison 1.1 - 3 season, double wall, free standing with full coverage fly, 3 lbs 14 ounces.
Sierra Designs Vapor Light 1 - 3 season, double wall, free standing w/ full coverage fly 2 lbs 14 ounces
Any of these would do great, and all but the last one can be found for well under your price limit. The Vapor Light is around $159 on sale.
Better to buy a tent you think you'll like when it is on sale and get out on the trail and try it. After a year or so, you'll learn more about what you like / don't like and you can sell that tent to a buddy and upgrade. Or, you can rent a tent to start out - and try a few different styles. Stores like REI offer backpacking tent rentals, and they can offer you their recommendations on what tent would work best for your destination.
There are so many options in tents, it's tough to pick one that is the "Best." Some considerations you may want to look at:
1. 3 season or 4 season?
If you are intending to backpack in extreme cold / snow conditions, you'll want a 4 season tent. If not, then a 3 season (which is lighter in weight) would be fine.
2. single wall or double wall?
A single wall tent can be a LOT lighter - if you're going long distances that can be important. However, a single wall can also have condensation problems. A double wall tent can have a rain fly that goes all the way to the ground (great for inclement weather), or it can have a fly that only partially covers to the ground (lighter, and still offers rain protection).
3. free standing or no?
A free standing tent does not need to be staked to stand up - this is nice if you're camped in rocky areas. You still stake the tent down for wind - but the poles make it stand upright. With a non-free-standing tent, you have to take extra care to stake it well for the tent to remain solid.
Some one and two man tents to look at:
Eureka Spitfire - 3 season, double wall, not free standing - but weighs under 3 pounds.
Go-Lite Shangri-la 1 Shelter - 3-4 season, single wall, not free standing - weighs only 1 lb 2 ounces
Kelty Gunnison 1.1 - 3 season, double wall, free standing with full coverage fly, 3 lbs 14 ounces.
Sierra Designs Vapor Light 1 - 3 season, double wall, free standing w/ full coverage fly 2 lbs 14 ounces
Any of these would do great, and all but the last one can be found for well under your price limit. The Vapor Light is around $159 on sale.
Better to buy a tent you think you'll like when it is on sale and get out on the trail and try it. After a year or so, you'll learn more about what you like / don't like and you can sell that tent to a buddy and upgrade. Or, you can rent a tent to start out - and try a few different styles. Stores like REI offer backpacking tent rentals, and they can offer you their recommendations on what tent would work best for your destination.
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Title Post: What are good internal frame backpacks for plus size women?
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Rating: 95% based on 981 ratings. 4,6 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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