Shoulder straps

Jimmy 'The One'

28/06/2012 at 16:02

Its been a while since I have carried a full backpack with a total weight of 11kg. Enought for three days on Dartmoor, food water the lot. I've been on a bit of a slim and have found that the padding I once had on my shoulders is no more. The straps on my Osprey Exos are now digging into this area and leaving me more than a tad uncomfortable after one day of walking.

Anyone have a simple fix to relieve this discomfort. I have a few backpacks,and they all have the same order of discomfort, but the Exos is my go to backpack so it is not a case of replacing the Exos.

Thanks for your time

Rod MacDonald 2

28/06/2012 at 16:08

You need to really make use of the waistbelt and ensure that the weight is being carried there, not on the shoulder straps. Of course this depends on the exos being the correct size in the first instance.

Jimmy 'The One'

28/06/2012 at 16:28

Thanks Rod, I'm 21"lengh in the back. the Exos is a 'M'fit. I have been keeping the hipbelt on or above my new found hips, [before the slim, that area was bulk.] I acutually have hips that can be seen now!

I thought about cutting up a Z-rest and padding it out that way, but that would be a waste of a perfectly good Z-rest?

Perhaps a refit might be the solution - thanks for the food for thought Rod.

Rod MacDonald 2

28/06/2012 at 16:34

You could certainly try making some additional padding from a cheap closed cell mat, the exos straps would be easy enough to attach to by cable ties seeing as there are so many slots in the straps.
I much prefer the adjustable back on the Talon to the fixed back on the exos, but I suppose that's the trade off you make for weight.

Jimmy 'The One'

28/06/2012 at 16:49

I had a floating backsystem pack years ago, that might be the way to go; I was as slim then as I am now...In addition to being a good many years younger and fitter. Maybe the weight saving of todays backpacks are now not my main concern? A comfortable carry negates the need for a lightweight pack?

Looks like I'm going to be doing the rounds again -

huskyman

28/06/2012 at 19:25

Just an idea, never tried it.

What about those padded type things people have on seat belts in cars, secured by velcro.

Peter Clinch

28/06/2012 at 20:09

It comes back to Rod's point: if you've got any sort of real weight you want to be taking it on the hips for maximum comfort. How well a pack will allow that will depend on how well it fits you, subject to some physiological limitations (if you've very narrow hips then you'll be a bit snookered is my assumption).

All the shoulder straps really do with 11 Kg in my expedition pack when I've got the hip belt done up tight is stop it from sagging: there's hardly any weight taken there. Padding the shoulders is trying to deal with the symptoms rather than the cause, which is very likely too much weight on the shoulders.

Pete.

huskyman

28/06/2012 at 20:47

Peter,

In that I agree that the shoulder straps shouldn't take much weight. I do know of peeps who, after losing weight, their pack 'just' doesn't "fit the same".

If it's newish or good condition, why not try and find how to keep using it? Rather than dumping it and buying a new one.

Mole

28/06/2012 at 20:51

What Rod n Pete say

according to osprey, with a 21" back you ought to be using a size L...?

www.ospreypacks.com/en/web/sizing_and_fitting

Jimmy 'The One'

29/06/2012 at 02:03

-All the shoulder straps really do with 11 Kg in my expedition pack when I've got the hip belt done up tight is stop it from sagging: there's hardly any weight taken there. Padding the shoulders is trying to deal with the symptoms rather than the cause, which is very likely too much weight on the shoulders.

Pete. -
Yes you are right there. But one never see's that until it is pointed out. Thank you all for your input and the links. I'll be checking them all out in due course.

fatty tim

29/06/2012 at 11:40

Hi Jimmy if the hip belt is fine, then it might worth checking where most of the load is in your pack. If it's low down or far from your back it will pull harder on your shoulders then it should. Sorry if this is sucking eggs, but if want to check just put a big dry bag full of air in the bottom of the pack before you fill and check how it feels.

pete varley

29/06/2012 at 16:47

correct size etc as mentioned....does seem prob.you need a large?

but also hip belt should be "on" the Iliac crest (hips).

but not above (waist)or around hips (lower)

also use the load lifter straps to ajust and bring load closer to your centre of gravity

Mikel von Dundeeski

29/06/2012 at 16:52

Maybe you don't need to carry 11kg for a 3 night jaunt?

Totally Normal

29/06/2012 at 18:48

When I get rucksacks straight from army stores it looks like a lot of the guys have put layers of thin foam and then used "sniper tape"- like duct tape but with a more fabric-like outer to hold it all in a tube like shape. You could also use pipe insulation but I think lots of thinner layers work better.

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