[at-l] backpacks for smaller people, was:

[At Rerunner]

Excellent advice :)
Another way to learn from those who have spent years learning what
worked/didn't work is to peruse info at 'sites like Spirit Eagle's:
http://www.spiriteaglehome.com/THP%20top.html
Also, consider the possibility of making your own gear: lot's of
people have, and a short search on the relevant terms will lead to
several good webpages. It isn't really neccessary to spend hundreds of
$'s, especially if you have a bit of stiching experience.

On 2/23/08, Amy Skowronek <amy at forinash.net> wrote:
>
> On Feb 23, 2008, at 10:57 AM, bcwatson wrote:
>
> >
> > I would love to go on a long distance hike (at least a week long).
> > I only have a day pack.  I look at the size of packs and damn,
> > they're nearly half as tall as I am.  I'm 5'2", 130 lbs…
> >
> > Should I buy pack made for women?  Do the even make packs
> > separately for women? If so, do they even run smaller as a rule?
> > If so, how small should I go and still be able to use it for even
> > longer hikes where I'm gone for a month?   If I get a pack that's
> > too big, then when it's full, won't it weigh too much for me?   If
> > I don't fill it up all the way with stuff, what do I do with all
> > the empty space…
> >
> >
> >
>
> They do make backpacks for women.  They may or may not be comfortable
> for you.  Women's packs are often sized to fit wider hips and
> narrower shoulders. I don't think they run significantly smaller in
> capacity.  Despite being a woman, I have ended up using unisex packs
> as my shoulders are not particularly narrow.
>
> You probably do want to look for a smaller capacity pack so you're
> not tempted to overload it.  One of the challenges of being a smaller
> hiker is finding light weight gear so you don't kill yourself
> hiking.  :)  You can use a smaller pack for long distance hikes, it
> just requires more thought than piling all your possessions in a huge
> pack.  A gram scale has helped a lot with me, as it is not always
> obvious which if my gear is the lightest.
>
> I'm 5'4" and I've had quite a time over the years finding a pack that
> fits.  Some of the adjustable internal frames have worked really well
> for me.  Those tend to have a sliding adjuster in the middle that you
> can shorten or lengthen.  However now I'm just using smaller sized
> backpacks - but not daypacks.  They have a fair size capacity.
>
> You need to get your torso measured, and then look at packs based on
> that measurement.  Ultralight Adventure Equipment has a nice diagram:
>
> http://www.ula-equipment.com/sizing.htm
>
> ULA and Gossamer Gear (http://www.gossamergear.com/) both have had
> packs that I have bought that have been pretty comfy for long hauls.
> Both do size down for smaller torsos, as do other manufacturers.
> FWIW I'm currently using the Gossamer Gear Mariposa pack.
>
> -amy
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