Replacing pack shoulder straps?

[Mike Henrick]

I'm a newbie to MYOG so bear with me:
I have a six moons starlite that I love, but after about 1,000 miles of use the shoulder straps slowly loosen under even moderate loads. I think it's because SMD used 3/8" webbing instead of something beefier and the plastic locks have worn out. Otherwise I love the pack and it's in great shape, I recently picked up the smaller swift and don't want the same thing to happen.

How difficult would it be to replace it with 1/2" or 5/8" webbing and the new larger plastic lock? Would I just undo the stitching and swap the webbing and plastic locks? Would undoing the stitching weaken the underlying fabric?

Thanks!

[Ken Thompson]

I would try a waveloc replacement for the failing piece of stock hardware. They are meant for thinner webbing and should afford you a more powerful connection.

My Starlite has all 3/4" webbing as standard.

[And E]

I'd just try replacing the ladder lock buckles on the shoulder straps first and see if that helps.

You can just break/cut off the old plastic ones (don't cut the webbing/fabric) and buy a replacement set, the kind that can be slipped on over existing webbing. Some have slits in the plastic so you can do this and others have a pin that gets pushed through.

Like this: http://www.rei.com/product/850232/sea-to-summit-1-pin-ladderlock-field-repair-buckle-

[Mike Henrick]

Thanks! That would be a lot simpler and I don't have the packs in front of me to measure so it looks like I'm way off with the webbing widths.

I would do the field repair ladderloc but would it just wear out that quickly again? I have another through hike or two planned…

The waveloc looks pretty nifty, would I have the replace the fabric on the shoulder strap too or just undo the stitching and restitch?

[Jerry Adams]

Maybe 3/4" is better? Doesn't weigh that much more

Cut off most of the 3/8" webbing, sew the 3/4" webbing to it. Just a bunch of hand stitches would work.

[Ryan Smith]

+1 with Ken. The Waveloc will probably do the trick, plus would be the easiest fix as well.

Ryan

[Tim Marshall]

Call Ron,

I bet he'd replace the buckles for you.

-Tim

[Mike Henrick]

Yeah he probably would but then there's the shipping back and forth. I don't mind doing it myself, I think I'll go with the removable pin buckles and have an extra set on hand.

Thanks everyone!

[Author]

Posts