Ok, I'm trying to decide on a pack for my girl, and I'm finding it a bit difficult to be sure I'm making the right decision based on her needs.

Her max wt wont likely be over 20lbs. Hell, mine rarely is, and I'll keep hers lighter.

I've been thinking about a Miniposa or Murmur. I definitely want a pack that run's < ~1lb.

Volume doesn't need to be higher than what those packs run either. So my question is, does the full hip belt on the Miniposa add that much comfort considering the lack of frame-stays, especially in relation to women's bodies?

Is the miniposa really much more durable than the Murmur?

What other suggestions are good ideas for a woman?

Honestly, I'm probably going to switch to a Murmur myself or a MLD Burn, as I find myself rarely needing the support or wt capacity of the Gorilla..

So, any suggestions are appreciated, thanks!

I tried several frameless packs for my girlfriend and none worked. She uses a ULA Ohm currently as the hoop suspension properly transfers weight to her hips where women are better suited to carry it.

Even for such low weights Chris?

I'm in the same boat. Right now she uses an REI (Quick? Flash?) 45L. (the three year old UL series)

Its like 41oz. with a single stay. Now it is a little big in volume, and definitely heavy so I am thinking Miniposa also. She'd probably hate no hipbelt.

i've been dealing with this one for a while too. Worse part is, she has no reference point, having not worn many packs before. Me: "How does it feel? is it too much weight on the shoulders? Do you feel the weight on your hips??? " Response: "its fine"

Good luck Javan!
Whats your gal's build? Petite? Medium? etc. My gf, is petite, and its been terrible trying to fit packs for her

Edited by Konrad1013 on 03/24/2010 12:29:08 MDT.

Javan:

Definitely YMMV or is it HMMV (her mileage may vary) -- but I am one of those who find Gossamer Gear packs very uncomfortable to wear. Why? The very wide shoulder straps cut into me. I have a narrow chest. Women are shaped very differently of course, but if she is petite, she may feel the same about those straps. Unfortunately, it's near impossible to know without trying, but food for thought.

Edited by ben2world on 03/24/2010 12:31:25 MDT.

I can't comment specifically on the packs you're looking at, but just to provide an alternate opinion to what's been stated so far...

I switched my girlfriend to a frameless pack (Jam) a while back, and she's been ridiculously happy with the change. It's now the only pack she uses: summer dayhikes, winter dayhikes, overnights, multi-nights...I can't keep the thing off her.

Of course, dropping her base weight in half probably didn't hurt, either.

Edited by SpruceGoose on 03/24/2010 12:33:16 MDT.

Thanks guys.

Ben: I felt the same way about my GG pack until I either a) cut the padding down in the straps, which worked ok, then b) switched to using socks inside them.

Funny thing is, I recently got an SMD Starlite, which allows for alot of reconfiguration, but I can't seem to get that thing quite comfortable. The way the straps attach to the loops in the back to adjust, seems to pull out and make knob of fabric and velco that sticks into the top of my spine. I'm thinking about sewing a re-inforcement and just permanently sizing it.


Konrad: She's small and petite. Probably about the same as your lady. ~100lbs and 5'1-2"


I'd travel 3 hours to find a store that had a selection of all the cottage gear maker's packs, might even pay a fee for the opportunity to try them all on.

Javan:

I wonder if we have a similar build. I tried on a Starlite once and just could not get it to feel 'right" no matter what. But then, of course, we also know that there are legions of Starlite fans out there -- so truly a matter of YMMV.

Yes, even for low weights. It was ok for 12-15 lbs but over that hurt her shoulders. In all fairness, she has somewhat boney shoulders. The Ohm was the only UL pack I could find that was comfy for her with > 15 lbs.

Yeah Ben, from your post about the ID eVent jacket, we seem to have almost exactly the same specs.

Chris, mind if I ask how tall she is? From your avatar pic she looks reasonably tall.

5'7

Hey Javan, yeah very similar builds between our gals. My gf is 5" and also around 100lbs. If I ever figure a pack out, ill let you know. And please keep me posted on your findings. We are trying out a jam2 right now. She liked the fit of the Osprey kids packs (ace 48) but it weighs 4lbs. Shes okay with it, but the UL in me freaks out about it. I guess if i carry more, and her pack never exceeds 15, then most packs will feel pretty good

*also this is common knowledge, but its worth mentioning. When you have her try on a frameless pack with weight, try repacking it a couple of times. I'm pretty decent at packing packs these days, and know where heavier items need to be etc, I still find (especially when im using sand bags or water bottles to simulate weight) that the slightest modification in packing makes the difference between feeling a almost no weight on the hipbelt, vs almost all of it on the hipbelt. Try not to pack anything too stiff against the foam back of the pack (i.e in my case, i packed a 1 gallon bottle right against the backpanel and it felt horrible)

Edited by Konrad1013 on 03/24/2010 13:15:53 MDT.

For what it's worth, I really like my granite gear virga. 1 lb 3 oz.

I got it really cheap, and it's very comfy. Generally if you buy it online it will come with a M size hip belt though, and she definitely will need a woman's small hip belt. You can buy that via granite gear's site, though. There's also a short torso length.

It's a very pared down pack though. Sometimes I miss having a top lid!

edited to add: I am similar in size although a bit taller. 5'3". I think my torso is 18 or 18.5. It's been a while since I checked!

Edited by AngelaZ on 03/24/2010 13:14:49 MDT.

Just want to chime in on behalf of me and all my lady hiking friends-frameless packs suck, even at low weights unless they can completely eliminate weight from the shoulders. Even my day pack has a frame (up to 3 litres of water plus gear plus lunch can add up to 5kg for a day trip). Of course, HMMV.

Yes!! Finally a thread for the nymphs!

Konrad and Javan, we are in the EXACT same boat.
5'1"- 100lbs is no joke to try to find sizes for!

So the Mini was too wide on the shoulder straps? Great info- we were gonna try that. I wonder if Sir van Peski would accommodate making some smaller straps if we got together and ordered en masse (a small masse, but a masse none the less)

Judging by what Lynn said about frameless sucking, and knowing my wife, she needs a frame so the Jam2 isn't really on my radar.

EDTI- I was thinking also, maybe I could get her the Mini and hack it to attach smaller, more formed straps from another pack..

Edited by WoodenWizard on 03/24/2010 15:08:30 MDT.

What about one of those internal frame light but not ultralight Granite Gear or Gregory 'women' packs -- and taking care not to let your better half overload?

Well, my girl is using a small sized REI Venus right now, which is definitely not light, but is well framed.

She seems to have issues with getting the shoulder straps adjusted right, and honestly, even in small, it's too large.


I really think a narrow strapped GG gorilla would work great for her.

I'd be willing to bet they might be willing to do a small run of narrow strap models for the ladies if we asked nicely enough.

Any small women out there using a gorilla in size small? Is it small enough?

"i've been dealing with this one for a while too. Worse part is, she has no reference point, having not worn many packs before.
Me: 'How does it feel? is it too much weight on the shoulders? Do you feel the weight on your hips???'
Response: 'its fine'"

+1
Been there myself and seen it with others. Same with any new skill or equipment, but some people are quicker and more circumspect. Does that chef's knife fit your hand? Depends on if you know how to hold it...