Patagonia Nine Trails for Ladies, 26l

Alex, to be clear, I suggested that it was UNLIKELY that you had an 18″ torso with respect to how backpack fits are designed.  There are outliers and you might be one, but that would be a rare case.

From your photos – which are very helpful, by the way – it looks like you are trying to get a good fit by placing the hip belt over your hip bones, which are not to be confused with your iliac crest which is the highest bony protrusion below your lowest rib.  Pack hip belts are designed to be centered over the iliac crest, not the hip bone.  You of course are free to wear your packs however you want, but if you aren’t happy with the way things are fitting, maybe try a different way.

Again, there is a great article and video on REI’s website, here:  https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/backpacks-adjusting-fit.html

Good luck.

In the third photo from the bottom of your post, you are actually wearing the pack correctly over the iliiac crest.  The gaps over your shoulders are there because the pack torso length is actually too long.

Packs are like shoes:  they all fit people differently.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, bad wording on my side, sorry. I’d be super surprised if I’d need a pack that doesn’t fit majority of ladies though, taking into consideration my height and weight.

A-ha! Oh, yeah, now I feel my iliac crest, finally, woohoo. Huh. It seems that pictures where the pack is higher, are the ones where everything is positioned more correctly. If I’m not mistaken, it means that L/XL is too big (?).

Thanks for the reference, I’ve read that guide more times than I can count but the more I know, the less I know ;).

This one?

Yep, that’s the photo where the position of the hip belt looks better.  Now that things are making a bit more sense, you want to center the hip belt vertically over your iliac crest; that is your anchor.  Then tighten up the shoulder straps, then give the load lifters atop the shoulders a gentle tug, then come in on the sternum strap.  If after doing all of this you still have a generous gap between the top of the shoulder straps and your shoulders, that is a clue that the pack is too long for your torso.  Some packs can be adjusted for torso length, but I don’t believe that Patagonia pack can.

Fitting packs, just like fitting shoes, can be a process.  But honestly, if you’re not carrying a ton of weight in the pack and it’s just for day hikes, don’t lose too much sleep over trying to get the “perfect” fit.  Also be aware that what I am saying is my opinion, and how I approach pack fits is just that – an opinion.  You get to chose what works for you.  It looks like a nice pack.

Huh, that’s interesting because if the gap happens to be there, it means that even the smaller one can be teeny-tiny too big for me (I can live with that though. As you said, it’s going to be a one day / city pack). And I almost kept L/XL, sheesh.

Yup, yup, I know it’s just an opinion, but frankly, I’d take an opinion of REI’s employee over an opinion of a dude that didn’t even blink while I put the belt over hip bones ;). And as for shoes… Jesus, it’s even worse. Just bought a pair of Meindls and I think they are one size too big but I gotta live with that now, so… UGH :D.

Anyways! You’ve been of great help, Jenny, thanks a lot! I’ll do what you say and probably upload one last set of pictures.

If anybody has any additional input, it’d be great, if not – also great.

I hope you can just get into something that fits well enough and works and lets you get out there and enjoy the reason for carrying that pack!

Hey, just dropping by for a second. I picked one and use it every day, everything works and is awesome. Once again, thanks A LOT!

Alex, you are welcome!  Glad things are working out well.   (I would be of no use helping you with shoes….)