UL pack – need a hipbelt?

I have a MLD Zip on order and I got the hipbelt option. I like a simple light hipbelt even for those low weights just because it makes the pack more versitile for little weight penalty.

Hi,
Just made transition this season going from a Golite Jam to a Prophet this past weekend was able to test it out, ended up switching on and off with hipbelt. Kept it unbuckeled most of the time then when climbing or scrambling up rock would buckle up to keep the pack from riding up my back. Probably do the same if were using this while trail running to minimize bouncing. Good luck

For SUL loads in my MLD prophet, I need no hip belt but the sternum strap is invaluable for stabilizing the pack, especially at the upper end of what the pack will carry ( < 15 lb.). Even more so if you're loading up on water—a dynamic load.

The MLD Zip pack I have on order will have a hipbelt —it falls more into the ULA Amp and Relay and the Golite Jam range. I expect to be carrying somewhat heavier loads off trail and again the added stabilization and some weight transfer to hips (via a virtual frame) will make the pack more stable and comfortable in rugged terrain.

First, for classification purposes, I would consider base pack weights of 5 or 6 pounds as SUL, with UL base weights more in the 8 to 12 pound range. Not trying to be argumentative here, but I think it's an important distinction, as it likely makes the difference on whether hip belts and sternum straps are desirable or required.

Second, I have no experience backpacking with SUL loads, and only fairly recently with UL loads. But, I do a variety of other activities like mountain biking, day hiking, and trail running where I'll take packs that weigh less than 10 pounds total weight.

So, in my limited experience, I like a very light webbing hip belt on my lightest packs for the sole purpose of keeping the load on my back during high activity pursuits. I don't suppose it's necessary for walking activities like on-trail backpacking, but 1 inch webbing really doesn't add more than an ounce or two.

I like a wide and flat hip belt (little or no padding) for UL loads of up to 20 pounds total weight. This is because my UL pack very effectively transfers load to the hip belt, rendering the shoulder straps merely stabilization mechanisms. And I find that a sternum strap helps to avoid fussing with the shoulder straps as much, as I wear them quite loosely. However, I don't suppose that a sternum strap is really necessary either.

Ultimately, I guess it's user preference, but if it's a removable option, you may as well order it to cover all your bases.

Thanks for the replies. Based on my own experience, i agree with your comment kevin about the sternum strap being extremely necessary. I find myself buckling and unbuckling the hipbelt during hikes depending on pack volume (once i've gone through most of my food) but the sternum strap is always in use.

once the prophet comes i'll give it a go with and without the hipbelt, but i'm figuring when my base pack weight is down around 5 or 6 pounds i can leave it at home

thanks again for the help

I recently ordered a MLD Zip pack with the mesh hip-belt wings.
I've always used a hip-belt with my packs, as I like most of the weight riding on my hips, or at least a 60/40% ratio anyway.

For the minor amount of added weight, its worth having a hip-belt for me anyway?

Ron at MLD said the hip-belt wings are approx. 8" long, so at this length, they should just wrap around the hip-bones, nicely?

8 weeks is going to be a long wait though?

tell me about it. i ordered the pack around three weeks ago and i won't be expecting it until early august (maybe late july if i'm lucky). the wait sucks but i figure it's worth it for i assume will be a seriously great pack

Yes, I'm sure his gear will be some of the best made ultra-light gear that I've yet to see, and worth the wait?

I also ordered his Bug Bivy and a Grace Solo sil. tarp. I plan to use the Zip pack for 3 day weekend trips, mostly.

I currently use a custom made Mariposa Plus, which is approx. 20-22oz, so I'll be dropping at least 10oz by going with the Zip pack.

I think Ron at MLD will have to hire some help eventually, as his gear becomes more popular and well known, as ULA had to do as well.
Its either this, or even longer waits, which, most people don't like to do. Thus, he would loose sales and customers as well.

On all my packs, including my MLD Revelation, I remove any sternum "straps" because they are never at the level I prefer, often riding up near my throat. I tie a little loop out of orange spectra cord onto one shoulder strap, then tie an 8" to 10" piece of spectra onto the other strap, loop that through the little loop, pull it to the tightness I want at that moment, and tie a half-shoelace knot in it so I can release the whole system with one yank, as opposed to pressing those nasty little buckles.

I think or hope anyway that on the Zip pack, that I just ordered , that the sternum strap is adjustable, which, I'm fairly sure it is.

With anything 15 pounds or less… I don't use a hipbelt OR sternum strap… but that's just mean. I especially don't like sternum straps. I like to keep my chest wide open for breathing. Again tho'… that's just me.

Gabriel-
I hiked for about 5 days through the Smokies last month with a new Prophet and I probably carried close to or exceeding 20 lbs. At that weight I felt I was really testing the limits of the pack, as the rest of my gear is not full-on SUL or even UL. To be honest the only trouble I had was on the first day and half. After eating a day and half of food and having a little less water on me at times the pack functioned dramatically better, as per its design specifications.

However, when I had that heavy load the hip belt and even the shoulder straps kept pulling through the buckles. Meaning the nylon strap would pull right out of the plastic buckle. Now I don't know if this is the way I ran the strap through the buckle, but I believe it was just that the choice in strap and buckle were made for that weight limit. A thicker/wider hip belt (more like a GG pack?) would probably allow that 20-25 lb. to work perfectly fine. But that would be going in a direction I don't think Ron is interested in. As it is, having that very noticeable limitation on the pack has made me want to make it work by carrying less weight in general. Thanks Ron!

All said, with the correct weight of about 15 lbs. or less, you will be quite comfortable without the hipbelt.

Hi Chris,

I shipped a couple of Prophets with a lighter strap material that did slip some. -I went too far in trimming weight! ( I was not sure which customers received the few packs with lighter straps to contact them directly.)

I now use a slightly thicker strap and there is no slippage. Send me your pack and I will replace the straps.

The current specs on the Sternum Strap (all packs) is + .25 oz and the removable Prophet 3/4" Waist Belt is +.35oz.

On all the MLD packs the sternum strap is adjustable at any position along the shoulder strap and has an elastic bridge/spacer for stretch comfort.

Ron, Thanks much, I'll take you up on the offer. Quite a minor issue as otherwise the pack functions beautifully.

I'd like to note that the shoulder straps themselves (the main padded sections) are exceptionally comfortable, even with an excessively heavy load.

I have an Amp pack. I love the hip belt and it's hip belt pockets. For me a 15 to 20lb. load is max in this pack. The Amp doesn't come with a sternum strap, so I put one on. I keep it loose when loads are lighter.
IMHO the Amp needs contoured shoulder straps. Like the Relay has. I dislike the straight shoulder straps. I wonder if Brian would sew Relay type shoulder straps onto the Amp? Hmmm…
Paul