To bend the frame....or not to bend the frame

[blgoode]

Thanks for the feedback!!!

[blgoode]

Well Fecal Matter
I think I figured out what was pushing the top back too far.
Pulling the belt too tight and torquing the top away from you.



Pulled both Evo and Divide and stats are exactly the same.

[Philip.AK]

That's a surprise. Out of curiosity, which grommet are you using to attach the belt to the frame? The belt pulls the bottom of the frame in less when you use the lower grommet, so the top of the pack is less likely to lever away from you. I really notice this when I bend over while wearing the pack.

[blgoode]

I'm using the upper grommet. I love the Unaweep system so I am going to swap pack bag out for the Unaweep bag. I know that bag works for me and enjoying it is worth the oz' heavier it will be

[Mocs123]

This is my Unaweep 4800 after one of a few 2 mile training hikes walking the dog. It is filled with 33 lbs worth of gear and am am trying test it out in preparation for an Alaska backpacking trip this August.

What are your thoughts on the fit? It feels pretty good but all of my trips since 2008 have been with less than 25lbs so it is hard to compare.

[blgoode]

That looks pretty good to me. I think my issue was the 24" curve height is different than with the 2" extensions and was pulling on the front of my shoulders a tad.

I prefer the 26" height on the Unaweep curvature.

[Philip.AK]

Mocs123- for me it would come down to what kind of hiking you are doing. If you are going to be on trails and don't need to lean your head back, then I'd personally give the section behind your shoulder blades a bit more curve and bring the upper frame in towards your neck. If you are going off trail and going to be crawling through heavy brush (something we do in Kodiak with unfortunate frequency) or ducking under a lot of low branches, you may want more head maneuverability. I want my pack draped across my back, all the way up, until it starts to interfere with my head. Bend at the waist at a 45 degree angle and try to look straight ahead. Again, this mostly applies to bushwhacking.

I'd also encourage everyone to try the lower grommet for mounting the hip belt to the frame if you haven't. You lose about an inch of height on the load lifters, but I think it makes the pack ride a lot nicer and allows you to bend at the waist and generally move around a bit more freely.

[Mocs123]

Most of my hiking is 50% on trail and 50% off trail but the off trail is above treeline.

This trip however will be 100% off trail and will be going through boreal Forrest and then willow and dwarf birch before we get into the open country. I am not sure how bad it will be.

Most of my packs are lighter and don't have load lifters. You can tell this back frame is made for heavy loads.

[kevin_t]

It is all preference as far as head movement. The lower belt attachment does allow the frame to camber more towards you. There are advantages both ways .



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[headbones]

Phillip. Thanks for the idea of not packing large, firm objects against the narrow pad. I can't wait to give that a try.