Good suspension backpack

Seek Outside Divide?

Have you looked at the Granite Gear packs?  They just released the Lutsen series last month and the torso and hipbelt are very adjustable.  They will probably be considered heavy by most here but the range of adjustability may be worth the extra weight.

A framed pack with a well designed hip belt, load transfer system. A bit more info on his actual issues, and a desired feature set, size, etc. should yield you better results.

Spinal arthritis (lumbar and cervical), and shoulder arthritis. He’s not worried about “features” as much as “adjustability”. A good overall suspension system so can attempt to adjust the pack around whatever is bugging him, at the moment.  He doesn’t subscribe to UL so his gear is bulkier than most UL, so a 50-60 liter is a good size.

The Fusion series from six moon design are back length adjustable :)

zPacks Arc Haul…
adjustable torso length, good two strap ‘V’ waist belt, waist belts come in different sizes… can adjust the ‘arc’ / trampoline back piece…

I also have cervical/shoulder arthritis… works for me…

easily resold here on BPL if he doesn’t like it…
good return policy and good warranty also

billy

He doesn’t subscribe to UL so his gear is bulkier than most UL, so a 50-60 liter is a good size.

There are many reasons to go UL, but back problems are a major reason to go that route.  A good suspension system will only go so far.  I’m not sure if he’s ever seen x-rays of his arthritic spine but there are degenerative changes happening to the spine.

My first recommendation was initially the SMD Fusion, but the suspension system is so stiff that if your husband wanted to adjust it according to where his pain is, the SMD system doesn’t work that way.  The SMD suspension transfers all the load to the hips and if your husband has lumbar arthritis, I wouldn’t recommend a stiff support like that.

Yes Thomas, he has said he wishes to avoid hip load-transfer. I’m trying to get him to change over to lighter gear, but I guess I’m grateful he wants to backpack with me at all. I generally carry our in-common gear, which helps.  Thank you all for you ideas.

Kelly