Backpack for my girlfriend

[JonathanJ]

I'm posting on behalf of my girlfriend. She's looking for a lightweight backpack that would fit her small frame, she's 4'9''. Anyone have any recommendations or ideas? She's currently an REI Venus pack, 70L, and it bruises her hips quite badly.

[gumball]

Everyone's body will wear a pack a little differently, depending on one's build and weight. You don't give any specifics, but I have had good luck with Osprey packs and, for very nice ultralight gear, try Granite Gear Ki Series. Really, a good pack is one she is comfortable with knowing how to pack and, most importantly, how it fits her. Sometimes bruising the hips is caused by too much weight, weight spread poorly in the pack or bony hips. She could be putting too much weight on the hips and not have things adjust appropriately. It is helpful to have someone who is knowledgeable about fitting a pack help her out. Its never really going to be "comfy"...but it doesn't have to hurt.

[One Half]

I'm posting on behalf of my girlfriend. She's looking for a lightweight backpack that would fit her small frame, she's 4'9''. Anyone have any recommendations or ideas? She's currently an REI Venus pack, 70L, and it bruises her hips quite badly.

That sounds like a huge pack for someone that size. I am 5'3" and use the REI Flash 50. Also, what is her total pack weight when loaded up with food and water included? I really like it and do solo hikes with it. I have also made some changes so I can carry less weight all around. I bought a Big Agnes Flycreek (under 2lbs packed), got a new sleeping pad (cut a pound there), switched to an esbit stove, and hopefully will be getting a Ti pot for Christmas!

[bigcranky]

My wife has used a lot of different packs. She currently has an Osprey Ariel 55. Osprey does a good job with the suspension on women's packs, but of course it has to fit right from the start. The Ariel series has several different pack sizes and hip belt sizes, and the belt is custom moulded in the shop. That pack is still pretty traditional, though, and weighs close to 4 pounds.

The best pack will depend a lot on what she carries. If she has a very light load, perhaps a ULA Circuit in the smallest size, with the S-curved should harness and the smallest hip belt will work? You might contact ULA and ask. The Circuit is a great pack (I have two!!) for hikers with a 15-20 pound base weight.

[bigcranky]

Also, hip bruising may come from the load she's carrying, not just the pack. What sort of total weight is in that Venus?

[JonathanJ]

Thanks for all the responses folks. She weighs about 110 pounds. Her pack weight for her most recent trip was about 35 lbs. She's also working on lightening her load.

She thinks she's loading her pack correctly, but any tips for her would be welcome.

I'm going to look into those pack recommendations.

[Blissful]

Bruised hips can happen sometimes. I find it goes away after a few days of being on the trail. But she should be fitted properly at a reputable outfitter (height does not equate torso length which can be very different). And reduce her pack weight (35 lbs is fairly heavy). Sounds like her pack is also way too big and cumbersome.

[Feral Bill]

Your girlfriend is a bit over 1/2 my weight. I wouldn't carry 70 pounds on a bet. She shouldn't be carrying 35. I expect the weight and an ill fitting pack are the source of her woes.
I see you are in Washington. There are decent outfitters in many cities. See one (or a few) and have a trained pack fitter help her out. This is a solvable problem.

[skinewmexico]

Gossamer Gear has the Mariposa Plus on sale. Then start cutting her weight to a reasonable amount.

[RockyRoo]

How is she packing her pack? I had the same problem and it was basically because I was putting all the heavy stuff at the bottom of my pack. Try putting the weight around shoulder blade area and the should stop bruising. Also, I hate to admit it, but at times us littlies do need to rely on someone else to take more of the load - my fiance carries a lot more than me because I simply cannot carry so much weight (I'm 5'1"/48 KGs).

[Del Q]

I think that 110 lbs is too light for the AT, she needs to pack on some pounds. My left leg weighs that!

Lighter load maybe, agree on % of body weight, check out Hyperlite Mountain Gear, new cuben fiber packs are killer and are super comfy.

[JonathanJ]

Yea, she does load the the heavier weight higher and not in the bottom of the pack, and when we're backpacking together I try to carry as much as I can fit from her things, she especially needs to pack less. Thanks again for the pack recommendations. I want to start making my own packs but making my first one on her might not be a good idea.

She is physically capable, we both just worked for a year on a trails crew at a national park, which is a lot of work.

[theinfamousj]

Everyone's body will wear a pack a little differently, depending on one's build and weight. You don't give any specifics, but I have had good luck with Osprey packs

I'm 5'2" and also take a small in REI Venus. In fact, I take a small in just about every pack ever made. The Venus absolutely killed my hips and bruised my lumbar region. A point of clarification for the others, though, the 70L capacity is for M and L. A small Venus has a slightly smaller 60L, IIRC, capacity.

That out of the way, I found my best fitting pack was actually a man's pack. Sure, there are all these arguments about women's shoulders and women's hip belts, but when dealing with a small torso frame, I found that what manufacturers expect out of a man fits best to my shoulders and hips. I have wide hips compared to my waist, but not as wide hips as a woman who does not fit into children's jeans. Thus: men's gear. My best pack is an Osprey Atomos which is still in the 60L range but the harness is delicious and no one ever said you actually have to pack the pack to its fullest potential.

[hikergurl]

Would it be possible to post an approximate gear list for what all she carries? A different pack is only just part of the process to going lighter. If you're already carrying part of the total gear needed for either/both of you, I have to wonder what all it is that you actually bring. That said, I'm also quite short but a Gregory Jade 50 in a small fits pretty comfortably for me (although, the hip belt barely fits me).

Yea, she does load the the heavier weight higher and not in the bottom of the pack, and when we're backpacking together I try to carry as much as I can fit from her things, she especially needs to pack less. Thanks again for the pack recommendations. I want to start making my own packs but making my first one on her might not be a good idea.

She is physically capable, we both just worked for a year on a trails crew at a national park, which is a lot of work.

[AndyB]

My wife carried a Gregory, I don't remember which model but it was specific for women. She didn't have any problems even with heavy(ish) loads. Getting weight down is always a good idea. A pack with "over built" suspension is another place to look,imo. Not everyone is ready to hit the woods with pounds on their back.

[AndyB]

oops that was supposes to say "Not everyone is ready to hit the woods with 10 pounds on their back."

[Erin]

What is her gear list? I am five one and heavier and carried 35lbs plus once and was miserable. AT section hike. If she can shave some weight off the load it will make the difference between a great hike and a not so fun hike.
I hike with big people. My friends are seven inches to a foot taller. I know they can carry more weight than I can and I can't pawn off my load. I have learned to improvise without buying a ton of new stuff. I was carrying way too much clothing and way too much food. Everyone is different, but lay out her gear with someone you respect and comb thru it. Thru hikers helped me figure it out. I still have to deal with my base stuff since it is heavy until it wears out and I replace it, but I am learning and it does make a difference. Your GF is apparently very fit and tiny, but she can lighten her load.

[G.G.]

I'll be a black sheep and recommend the Gregory too. Seems they've been around too long and get shelved by many.

[WildFireKNits]

Have you looked at the starlite by sixmoons designs? It's ultralight and frameless with optional stays. I use it and am quite happy with it. I'm taller (5'8") but I weigh 110 so I appreciate not being able to carry a heavy load. I think you can get a variety of strap lengths so it accomadates people who are petite. The pack has a padded hip belt, but it's rather lightly padded. I have had less problems with bruising and chafing with it though than my gregory by keeping pack weight down. The pack itself weighs around 24 oz.

You cant carry much weight in an ultralight pack, but she probably shouldnt carry too much weight hiking anyway. I carried 43-45 pounds once and was miserable doing a few 8 to 10 mile days. . .

[Chaco Taco]

My wife is small and we got her a Granite Gear Vapor Ki and she loves it. Its a light pack and has great padding all around. I have the Vapor Trail and love it as well. Big fans of Granite Gear and have tried the ULA and 6moon and what not and always have come back to Granite Gear.