Recommend a Pack?

Ugh…I too have this issue. I've been content with my Talon 44 so far with a minor bit of reforming the internal stays.

The only thing I can recommend is going the unnerving route of bending the stays similar to what you did with the externals (less unnerving if they are removable) or looking at packs designed for women. Some women's packs have an outward curve at the bottom to accommodate the more curvaceous lower back.

I dunno how effective bending the stays would be. Since the waist belt is sewn directly to the bag, bending the stays rearward wouldn't really move the bottom of the bag farther from my back. What I wish I could do is raise the bag vis-a-vis the suspension to get it higher and lift it off my butt.

Since you understand external frame packs you might start searching for an Alpenlite frame and use it as your base with something else for a bag or even use the original bag. My Universal frame is very similar. Stands up by itself. Hip belt swings freely. No sweat on your back . Adjustable.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ALPENLITE-External-Frame-Backpack-Vintage-1970s-RARE-EUC-70-lbs-Capacity-/290692866076?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43aea5201c#ht_

I have the same issue, and I have yet to find a very comfortable pack, they all rub my lower back in an uncomfortable way. The only thing that has worked and been 100% comfortable for me has been no hip belt, unfortunately that isn't always realistic.

try a climbing specific pack … those tend to ride a tad higher to keep em out of the way of harnesses … try em on in person

Thanks, Eric — suggestions for climbing bags in the 60L+ size?

I don't know if this would be helpful or not but perhaps a pack with a replaceable hip belt like these for example. http://www.ula-equipment.com/circuit.asp

My thought was that it might be a better choice for you to have the bag pulled into the center of your lower back as opposed to bags with the belts sewn in that tend to pull the bag in from the lower corners. Don't know if that would really be a help to you or not but it might be worth trying.

You might try an Osprey Exos 58. It's a generous 58L, in my experience (too big for my needs most of the time), and is essentially an update of Ye Olde exterior frame. The frame does indeed curve away from the hipbelt. The fit is known to be idiosyncratic, but it works for me (I'm the same height as you, not that that means we have the same torso length).

Will Reitveld reviewed it here:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/osprey_exos_review.html

and gave it a "highly recommended."

osprey variant 52 is almost a 60L ….and you can likely try it at REI and others as well … for 60L+ youre getting into expedition sized packs, not climbing anymore i guess

another possibility is to try one with an adjustable back length … maybe at the longest setting it wont ride on yr butt

the only way to find what yr looking for unfortunately is to hit yr local shops and try everything one

"the only way to find what yr looking for unfortunately is to hit yr local shops and try everything one"

I think the only shop in Bend, Oregon, that carries decent packs is in fact the REI. But we have a trip to Seattle coming up in a couple months. Maybe there's a couple shops up there that have more choices.

PM me before you come up and I'll give you the cook's tour :)

Best shops:

REI Flagship store (near downtown)

Second Ascent (in Ballard and my favorite)

Outdoor Research company store (SODO area, near the stadiums)

Pro Mountain Sports (University District)

Marmot Mountain Works (Bellevue/suburbs)

Odd, but other than chain stores like Big 5 and Sports Authority, that is about it. The Filson company store is interesting and Outdoor Emporium is right next door, but more on the hook-and-bullet side of outdoor gear (both near Outdoor Research).

stop in at the cilogear world hq to try on a couple of their packs. you can slide the hip belt all the way down, which should lift the bottom of the pack high enough for clearance. tweaking the frame sheet might also help. give them a call, they might have a retailer closer to you. when in seattle you can try on their packs at feathered friends.

good luck

It'll give me something to do in Seattle while my wife is busy at her conference.