camping backpack on sale 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.)
How can I get into hiking/backpacking/camping?
suarzonthe
I'm interested in taking up hiking/backpacking/camping through parks and the woods, especially in Northern Maine. Does anyone have any ideas of how to get started? Small goals? What would I need as far as equipment?
Answer
Well, I started doing some camping with my father at a young age. I joined the scouts and things went from there. I would suggest something along those lines - find a local club or group that enjoys doing camping and backpacking. You'll want to try camping first - backpacking is an acquired taste if you know what I mean. As far as hiking goes, go to an EMS (Eastern Mountain Sports) or REI or LL Bean, and purchase a good pair of hiking boots and a good day pack(it doesn't have to be huge). Ask one of the sales associates to help you find the proper fit. Remember to break in your boots before hiking in them. Also get 2 Nalgene bottles - they're great. Get a guide book - it will have loads of helpful info. Try a few short hikes in the area and work your way up. After awhile try some 4000 footers. Camping and backpacking require a lot more equipment and a bit more experience. Always camp with at least one other person - and see if you can start out by borrowing some gear. Don't buy much until you're sure you want to get into the sport.
Well, I started doing some camping with my father at a young age. I joined the scouts and things went from there. I would suggest something along those lines - find a local club or group that enjoys doing camping and backpacking. You'll want to try camping first - backpacking is an acquired taste if you know what I mean. As far as hiking goes, go to an EMS (Eastern Mountain Sports) or REI or LL Bean, and purchase a good pair of hiking boots and a good day pack(it doesn't have to be huge). Ask one of the sales associates to help you find the proper fit. Remember to break in your boots before hiking in them. Also get 2 Nalgene bottles - they're great. Get a guide book - it will have loads of helpful info. Try a few short hikes in the area and work your way up. After awhile try some 4000 footers. Camping and backpacking require a lot more equipment and a bit more experience. Always camp with at least one other person - and see if you can start out by borrowing some gear. Don't buy much until you're sure you want to get into the sport.
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