Backpacks for Large Men

If you find a backpack that fits you well in other respects you might give a “waist belt extender” a try.

Like this one:
here

Or, if you can sew you could lengthen your existing straps.

I measured the waistband, fully extended, to be 50″ on my Golite Pinnacle pack (size M). I’m not sure if that would work for you, but you could use a tailors’ tape to measure yourself. Keep in mind that the strap will ride above your hips, but at the same time must accommodate whatever you will wear while hiking.

Here is a REI video on fitting a backpack:
here
And one on adjusting the fit:
here

I have a Granite Gear Lattitude Vapor in long torso- don't know if the belt is different on the regular torso. I just measured the hip belt at approximately 56 inches fully extended (I say approximately because all I had handy was a steel carpenter's tape!). I am 6'3" and 240 lbs. Across my navel I measure around 42 inches; somewhat smaller where my pants actually ride- I wear 36-38 waist pants. When I tighten the hip belt, I have approx. 8 inches of tail on each side.

One other thing to consider for those of us with a "spare tire" around the midsection: a narrower hip belt. The belt on my old Kelty pack was very wide and did not stay where I cinched it up on my hips because my gut forced it down. This GG hipbelt does not move downward nearly as much. If you have any back problems I would not recommend the Lattitude Vapor because I think the suspension is very lacking (I think I'm in the minority here). If the belt is the same size on some of the other GG packs with the beefier suspension I would go with one of them. You can get a GG with good suspension with a fairly narrow hip belt for less than 3 lbs. Not necessarily UL, but light at least. Now, price is another matter…

Good luck
Tim

I would defiantly go with a pack from Granite Gear. By using the 'waste belt extender' you should get a comfortable pack.

All of their packs in the Nimbus and Stratus line are available with four sizes of hip belts and shoulders straps that are interchangeable. The hip belts have a waste size ranging from 28” to 42”. The shoulder straps range in sizes that will fit a chest from 27” to 52”.

Check out Granite Gear's website for more info.

Hey Micheal, I'm also a large guy-6'3 235lbs. Give [ULA] a look. Ultra Light Adventure. Check out there website. They will make a custom pack according to you size=torso, sholders and hips. I have used the P2 pack for years. Very Happy w/ it. GOODLUCK

I second the vote for ULA … comfort beats Granite gear and I own three of those.