Hipbelt for small waists

Granite Gear makes fantastic hipbelts that should conform to your waist. They make them in multiple sizes and can be cinched down very tight. I use a Vapor Trail with a normal torso and a small hipbelt.

I've been having the same problem. I do notice that if I'm careful to re-tighten the hipbelt throughout the day, that helps control any riding up… but only on packs that actually fit. The lighter weight packs I have tried have definitely ridden up more. But I've had it happen with both frameless and not.

I think a large part of it is that my torso length is just a hair too long for most of the small sized backpacks… and so the pack just pulls itself up too high, because it's meant to be riding on a shorter back length. If I had a longer pack, it would ride a little better. But then you run into the larger sized hipbelt issue. And larger shoulder straps.

Let me know if you find anything great!

I didn't love the granite gear I tried in the store… but I'm thinking of giving it another shot. Because I have a feeling I'm a regular length torso that needs a small hipbelt and I don't think that's what they had there.

That was probably the problem. I bought my pack at Midwest Mountaineering in Minneapolis. They have a full selection of GG packs complete with all torso and waist belt sizes.

Matt:

I tried a Granite Gear Nimbus Meridian and was not thrilled with it. It was a friend's so the fit was off in the hips as usual. I also prefer a frameless pack if possible.

Angela:

I think we have identical problems. I have a 19" torso, which usually sits right between two sizings. I need to try sizing up in the torso, if I can find a pack that does not also increase the hipbelt size for the longer torso.

I guess it is time to start ordering lots of packs and trying them out.

Angela,
My wife loves the hipbelt on this years GG's Vapor Ki. She had tried my Vapor Trail and it was OK, but apparently GG has figured out how to make a women specific hipbelt that rides well without a lot of tightening. She is 5'6", has a long torso for a woman, (not highwaisted), broad shouldered, and wearing a Regular.

With a load of 25# to 30#, and she is a happy camper.
Typically it is 20# to 25# and a delight.

Yup!

I do care about frameless v/s frame though… I hate weight on my shoulders and feel it helps to have a frame. Even just a minimal one.

Adam – some of the granite gear packs not only have interchangeable hipbelts, but also adjustable torso lengths. The vapor series is not one of them, though.

I'm going to give the vapor Ki a whirl most likely. Thanks Greg and Matt!

And thanks Adam for bringing this up – I was banking on getting an Osprey Exos, and this reminded me to check the specs again. I was incredibly excited about the exos (I like the way the features are designed, far more so than that of the granite gear)… until I realized the hip belt is too big on the proper length bag. :(

I have the same problem with many pack models as I'm 6'2" with a 30 inch waist. Try Six Moon Designs; interchangeable belts, removable frames, great feature sets, and weights under 2 lb.