Backpack for tall guys?

[XTR]

I'm 6'4", I'm accustomed to the fact that I am outside of the percentile of the population that anyone actually designs anything for. That said, I've got an old Eureka black widow internal frame that I picked up yrs ago. At the time they were available in sizes to fit tall guys (long shoulder to hip measurement) It fits me but it is a long haul pack, not exactly the thing for a day or maybe an extended day. That and the damned thing is black. I've learned to hate bags/packs with black internals.

I've read once that the Eberlestocks don't work so well for taller guys, is there something else out there that will fit the bill in that type of pack?

 

[Remoah]

Re: Backpack for tall guys?

Sord Australia makes gear that works well for taller blokes. Alot of us aussies are up in the 6ft+ range so it might help.

http://www.sordaustralia.com/

 

[[email protected]]

Re: Backpack for tall guys?

Mystery Ranch and Kifaru has sizes that should fit you but there not cheap.

 

[RonHam]

Re: Backpack for tall guys?

Eagle has a large version of the A-III pack that is longer than the standard version without being too bulky. It fits me better than any other pack I have tried.

A-III pack

 

[strick9]

Re: Backpack for tall guys?

I am 6'4" 230lb. My Ebstock G4 operator (purchased here from Ceylon) and I just logged around 20 miles with a 58 lb load starting in the 7k feet range and ending up at 12k on a recent elk hunt, damn we needed a deer tag. At any rate, the G4 is the cats ass hands down for the price and after adjusting it fit me like a glove. I carried 7 days of food, water purifyer, stove, stove fuel, mod sleep system, clothes and tent with no problems.

 

[Mike]

Re: Backpack for tall guys?

What exactly are you looking for? I'm 6'6" and I have a number of 3-day style packs and they all work fine. Elberstock make a very good pack. Kifaru is excellent as well as the Mirauder may be the perfect pack. Maxpedition, Camelbak, Spec Ops. All these are good pack and will work with tall and big guys.

 

[Mirnyx]

Re: Backpack for tall guys?

Mystery Ranch will be able to provide a pack that fits.

 

[XTR]

Re: Backpack for tall guys?

I'm not sure where this will end up, I think I'm looking for something in the 3 day size pack. I've owned/used/borrowed any number of packs for various applications over the yrs that weren't able to handle the length from hip to shoulder and I've ended up with the shoulder straps fully extended to get the hip strap on my pelvis. At that point the shoulder straps are now attached somewhere too far down and the shoulders are really not where they belong on the strap.

I'm kicking ideas around right now and I really need to figure out what the main uses will be.

 

[[email protected]]

Re: Backpack for tall guys?

Mystery Ranch will do custom sizing if you find the larger sizes still to short.

 

[Chiller]

Re: Backpack for tall guys?

6'4"

Kifaru or Mystery if you really feel you need a custom. Eberlestock still works well for me.

 

[pyplynr]

Re: Backpack for tall guys?

I'm 6'2" and my X3 LowDrag fits awesome. Padding on the pack hit in the correct locations on my back.

 

[XTR]

Re: Backpack for tall guys?

For any of you blokes that are really in the 6'3" to 6'4" range.

I just got a used GSII. Even with it adjusted to it's maximum length (plus all that I can let it slack) It is at least 2" too short in the spine to allow the shoulder straps to pull the load in and the belt to be on my hips.

It will work for shorter stuff, and for some of my intended uses, but if it was a bigger pack that I was planning to use for hauling in/out I'd be looking for another.


I'm a little disappointed, but I'm accustomed to this, been this way for over 30 yrs now. Once you break the 6'2" threshold you are in the percentile that nobody designs for.

 

[Blue Line]

Re: Backpack for tall guys?

I would give a call to Eberlestock and see what they could do for you. From what I have heard they have great CS.

 

[SRSDriver]

Re: Backpack for tall guys?

Kifaru can do some pretty cool things for custom sizes - Including for different spine profiles.

 

[robescc]

Re: Backpack for tall guys?

I am 6'1" tall and the Badlands Large 4500 fit me nice. I had an Eberlestock J107 and it fit great after adjusting to my torso. I kick myself for getting rid of it.

 

[XTR]

Re: Backpack for tall guys?

If I ever get to the point of getting something for heavier loads or extended use I'll look into something else (Kifaru maybe). I wrote above, I'm accustomed to it, things just don't fit.

Part of the deal with the GSII is that it would have to be a bigger pack. The upper harness can be adjusted, but the pack itself is just not long enough, it would need to be 2 or 3 inches longer and for 90+% of the population it doesn't need to be any longer.

 

[dt00083]

Re: Backpack for tall guys?

I have a couple mystery ranch packs with the nice frame. The nice frame design is really nice, and works for me really good. I'm 6 3.

 

[X-fan]

Re: Backpack for tall guys?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rino251</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Mystery Ranch and Kifaru has sizes that should fit you but there not cheap. </div></div>

Rolls Royce and Mercedes Benz right there.
No they are not cheap, but they are worth every dime.

NOTHING packs like a NICE frame...I promise!

 

[HillbillyfromAL]

Re: Backpack for tall guys?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: XTR</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

I've read once that the Eberlestocks don't work so well for taller guys, is there something else out there that will fit the bill in that type of pack?</div></div>

One of my old Team Leaders was 6'6" and he swore by his Eberlestock. I think he had a Phantom but I'm not sure. I've got the G4 Operator and it's awesome but I'm vertically challenged. However with all the adjustability built into it I bet it would work great for anyone. I'm not sure if there is any of the smaller day packs that have the adjustability your looking for but I'd talk to a few more Tall guys that have the Eberlestock Rucks before discounting them.

 

[ceylonc]

Re: Backpack for tall guys?

One thing to keep in mind with Eberlestock packs is they are designed to "ride high". This the best way to center the load above your hips, instead of at your waist. You shouldn't have any downward hang or pull of the shoulder harness at your shoulders. Before you mount the pack, adjust the shoulder harness to the "tallest" vertical setting. Upon slinging the pack, determine that the lower pad on the pack (called the Lumbar Pad) along with the waist belt are located at the top of your pelvis. Cinch the belt to your desired tightness and then pull the straps at the shoulder harness (these are called the load lifters) until the upper portion of the pack is snug again the upper portion of your back. If it is correctly fitted, there should be no indication of downward pull at the shoulder straps between the top of your shoulders and the top of your pack. In fact, the portion of the shoulder harness at the top of your shoulders should actually be horizontal, with a small space between the strap & the upper back portion behind the shoulder.

Eberlestock packs do not fit like a traditional day pack, where the load is carried at the shoulder straps. With Eberlestock, the shoulder harness is there to give stability & center the load above your hips & as close as possible to your back. If it is fitted correctly, you shouldn't have muscle fatigue at your shoulders or lats (the muscles between your neck & shoulder).

Hope this helps. Yes, pics would help tremendously & I'll try to get some up this weekend. I'm NOT saying that the OP is fitting his pack wrong. He may have done everything above and still not get an adequate fit. However, 99% of the time, when an Eberlestock pack owner, regardless of individual torso length, claims that it doesn't fit, it is usually due to not getting the adjustments done correctly based on how these packs are designed to ride.

Ceylon
deltaoutdoorsman.com