Hip Belt Grazing

Peebz wrote (see)

Maybe its cos Im wearing in round my waist too much and I should hitch it up so it sits on my hips / pelvis. Thanks !

You are anatomically confused - your waist is above your hips.  If the belt is below your hips, then it is definitely too low, and won't be helping.

Did you check the fit of the rucksack in the shop, with some weight in in it, before you bought?  And did you get advice about sizing?  If the hip belt is below your hips then either some adjustment is required, or you need a different pack.  Bear in mind it is not your height you buy for, but your back length.

When you say on your hips do you mean with the top of the belt level with the top of your pelvis? That is how I tend to have mine. I once got a custom sack for my back length and to get the weight down and got told I tend to have my sack lower than the guy in the shop and who owned the company. He said that everyone has their own way of wearing sacks and when he makes custom sacks he tries to use one that has been made or modified and gets the user to put it where they are used to sacks then designs the back length around that. There is some flexibility in the belt positioning from what he said.

Anyway at 3" over the large back size my sack ended up quite long and thin. It was actually no more comfortable than my fixed back length Berghaus which has a shorter back length. It goes to show that it is a lot to do with having the right sack for you. It really is.

I really like the look and specs of the Crux AK47 but after trying it with weights it was completely ruled out. It just didn't fit me on the shoulders as the straps weren't right for me.

If you can't find your sweet spot with the hipbelt position with the Jam it could be a case that it is not right for you and you have to replace it.

you have the belt too high.

your hips are approx where your navel is. do the belt up at this point fairly loosely.

lean forward. this will pull the belt upwards. tighten the belt slightly and as you straighten up you will feel the belt engage with your hip bones. jiggle a bit to seat the pack belt onto your hips nicely. tighten belt firmly so hips support the weight of the pack.

I was told by a guy into very long distance walks, (PCT, etc.), that the bottom of your rucksack on your hips, should be where, or just above, if you bend your torso side to side you feel movement. Try it you'll feel what I mean.

 I have done so ever since and even with next to no support from hipbelts on some LW rucksacks, have had no problems.

 As with most things, may not work for everyone.