Hi!

I'm new on here but reckon from what I've read, some of you could perhaps help.

I'm looking for a new day rucsac that fits properly as my old one doesn't and my back gets really sore following on from an injury to it earlier this year. Now it could be that my back will always be a little sensitive, but old Jack Wolfskin Mr Hike from around 8 years ago isn't a very good fit.

My big problem seems to be that I can never get the shoulder straps really tight, I always want them tighter but they're as tight as they can go.

I'm looking at a between about a 22 litre to 30 litre rucsac although 30 litres is getting too big really.

Most of my walking is done abroad in Spain so I want side mesh pockets for water bottles even though I use a bladder as well.

I like the Deuter 22AC and have tried it, but can't get the straps tight enough, although they aren't far off, but it feels comfortable enough.

Jack Wolfskin's Mrs Hike isn't an option neither is a Berghaus 25 litre ladies rucsac which I can't remember the name of.

Can anyone give me any advice on specific fitting points that I should take note of?

I should have said that I'm about 5 foot 5 in height and about a size 10 on my top half so there isn't much meat to me.

All help greatly appreciated!

I got myself a macpac persuit and they do them in a propper wommens fit and its great, got rid of my backache problem and I will never buy a non womens specific sack again, you would not buy a mans jacket and expect it to fit.

My sac is 40l, too big for what you want but i know that Macpac do a range of womens fit sacs so check them out. They do adust in every which way possible so you should get the straps how you want them and the chest strap will help with that also. A good outlet will fit the sac fot you and always get them to stick some weight in it then wonder round the shop for half an hour before you buy it.

Why do you want the straps so tight though, is that following you back injury as the usual way is to have the weight on your pelvis and lower back not your straps?

Thanks for the response, that helps a lot.

I had reckoned the strap thing was a bit of a red herring. I think because my current rucsac is so old with no chest strap, it was the only thing I could adjust and therefore I seem fixated by tightening everything up even though I reckoned this was perhaps not right.

What you say about the chest strap really makes sense.

I certainly had thought that the only way to go was for a womens rucsac. The thing that slightly niggles me with them given the size I want is that certain technical features seem to disappear.

Many thanks for your thoughts.

You might like to try the Lowe Alpine Mintaka (available in 25 & 35 Litres).
They are the womens version of the popular Walkabout range.

They have most of the usual features including Ice Axe/Walking Pole attachments, Rain cover and are Hydration System compatible.

Try a climbing sack instead of a walking sack. THis may sound silly but they are a narrower fit which really does make a difference.

I can't use womens sacks because they all expect me to be pearshaped - I am not as my upper body is actually the widest part. (I am also 5ft 4" and back length is usually the biggest issue).

I have tried LOTs and can recommend POD (they actually use real women to test the fit) but they are expensive (but very high quality) and Karrimor's range of climbing sacks. My fave is the Hot Route or Hot Rock depending on size requirement (you can even get these in Blacks).

Whatever you try in the shop make sure you put some weight in it (a rope or two is good). Pressure points only show up with decent weight.

Good luck.

kimmlite are making a light, short back, narrow sack with soft straps, the AR 22SSL.
www.kimmlite.com

I've never really understood the idea of 'womens sacks', I was under the impression that women came in various different shapes and sizes.

A thought, would Kylie Minogue and Jo Brand use the same fitting sack? they are both women after all.

All great stuff again.

Never thought about a climbing pack, will deffo have a look at these.

Thank you all so much for your thoughts and advice.

You could have a look at Osprey packs, I've just bought an Atmos 35, only used it once so far but it was very comfortable and is available in 3 different back lengths. They do a 25l one which may suit you, they have side pockets and it is possible to fit two water bladders in them. They also do the eclipse daypacks which have a harness and belt that velcro in place and can be moved around to find a comfortable fit. Check out the reviews on this site.

if you have trouble finding a comfy sack you could try Aiguille Alipine in Stavely Cumbria as they will make a pack specifcly for you and designed to fit your back. Its not a cheap way to do it but you do get a taylor made sack with a full lifetime gaurentee

Putting all the weight on the pelvis and lower back is not always best if you have back problems. It depends on where in your back you have the problem!

I have lower back problems right at the base of my spine. When my back is bad I find I have the hip belt there more for security than transferring weight. Although not ideal, my shoulders are stronger, so I have to keep most of the weight there, and tighten up the shoulder straps. If I put too much on the hip belt it hurts.

Go for something that you can adjust lots-so you can choose where to carry the weight, and adjust according to the load. So if the shoulder straps don't seem to pull tight enough, then avoid it, as maybe you like having shoulder straps tight as it feels better for you.

I like my Craghoppers pack, but they have changed the line up. The guy who designed the orginals has his own company aarntate or something like that. Haven't tried them though.

Both my lower and middle back are not good following on from a works related injury in February!

Interestingly though, when we did Mulhacen in Spain last summer, on the return route, the middle of my back was really sore although I wasn't suffering any injury at that point. I forgot all about it until we were back out in Spain over Easter and again I got the awful, same pain - but that was anticipated given that I was still recovering from February.

I just know I need to get a good fitting rucsac and everything you guys have said really helps. I'm going to see if my chiropractor has some tips too when I see him on Thursday.

Luckily, living just under 2 hours drive from the Lakes makes it really good to check out loads of different brands and styles of rucsacs.

Kimmlite for example I had never heard of but they are deffo on my list for checking out. Like the look also of the Lowe Alpine Merak 25.

I'm back out in the Sierra Nevada in 6 weeks so looking forward to having my new toy for then!

All the above tips have been great - thanks again.

Try lowe alpine walkabout ive had one for several years and i think it is one of the comfiest day sacjks around you will find. There is a huge amount of padding which i thnk would help with your back and the side pockets are HUGE i can carry over two litres of water in them and i find it an overall high quality rucksack.

Ellie

One other thing that is worth trying -

Most rucsacks have an internal support system in the back. Sometimes its metal, sometimes a plastic but nearly always it can be reshaped. I try to go for ones with an internal metal frame as you can take it out and bend it. This allows you to make minor adjustments to the length but mainly to adjust the contour of the sack to your back and move bits away from pressure points.

I have tried many sacks and currently using an Osprey Atmos 35. again three sizes S,M Lge with a mesh back for coolness. This is better than nrmal mesh backs as it does not push the sack so far from your back.

For day walks the 25 could suit you, my 35 is big enough for winter day walks.

This sack weighs in at less than 1000grms and therefore you are not carring unecesary weight.

well built and stable but the main thing is if it is comfortable for you. Try it on with some weight in and see!

Abi
if you can get hold of one the Gregory packs are specifically designed for women. the company is top notch for quality and durability and although i use a z pack which is 55 litres capacity the smaller womens packs have been getting rave reviews in North America. i know Kentdale Outdoor in Kendal have a reasonable selection.

Glyn, wommen nearly always have a different angle at the lower back where the spine joins the pelvis,also we usualy have breasts ( so need a slightly higher chest strap)

There will always be some wommen who for what ever reason do not fit that criteria but large or small there are some features that are specsific to a wommans skeleton and so most of us will find the womens fit sacks better.

Thanks again for all the comments.

Gregory is a new name to me so will deffo look into those.

I'm looking forward to having a day in the Lakes trying out lots of different rucsacs.

I am starting to come to the conclusion though that there aren't many womens rucsacs at the size I'm looking for with the features that I will need so a rucsac like the Atmos 25 is certainly on the hit list to look at.

It is going to be interesting when I start doing some hikes in the shops with lots of weight!

At the moment, I'm really interested in various Deuter models, a couple of Osprey models and the Lowe Alpine Merak 25.

Technology has certainly moved on since I last bought a rucsac! Makes for really interesting stuff!

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone that gave me loads of advice and ideas.

I'm now the proud owner of a Deuter ACT Lite 25 rucsac.

Did lots of trying on and things. There weren't any ladies specific ones that made the grade size wise with the features I needed, but the Deuter one is superb and just loaded with great features.

I've had it out on a very small hill walk and it felt great, although I did take a bit of time adjusting hip belts and shoulder straps, but that is because I've only ever had shoulder straps to play with! Can't believe I have survived so long with my old badly fitting one.

I might be in the Lakes this weekedn hopefully to do some more walking but I'm off the Sierra Nevada in three weeks for a week of walking!

Thanks again all.