Pack size

Here's a question for those who know a lot about fitting a pack.

I'm wanting to buy a pack for my daughter and I found one on eBay that I was interested in but the seller didn't list the size. I asked the seller and he said he didn't have the tags and didn't know how to tell the size. He asked if I knew. It had never occurred to me but I realized I would not be able to tell the size of a pack unless I could try it on.

When I have bought packs I have measured my torso (hip to neck like you are supposed to) and then bought the pack that is designed for that length. But what is the measurement you would do on a pack to determine what torso length it is designed for?

It seems like the right thing is to measure from where the shoulder strap is attached to the pack to where the hip belt is attached or something like that. But that's just a guess on my part.

Interesting question. I wonder if there is an industry standard for measuring pack size? I would guess not. When I was selling bicycles the manufacturers never agreed on a standard way to measure frame size either.

Heber, What brand is the pack? You should be able to call or email the manufacturer to get that info.

I would do what you have sugggested. If you measure your own torso length and compare that to your pack, that should give you an idea as to how the manufacturer sized the pack. Granted, they may not all do it the same way, but that might help.

If the pack is adjustable, you'll have a bit of leeway, especially if she is still growing.

I should have thought of that myself. I guess I thought it was something that was common knowledge and I'd look like an idiot asking the question.

The pack is a Gossamer Gear pack (a G4) so I called their number and the guy explained to me that the torso measurement is from the shoulder strap attachment down to "more or less" where the hip belt goes.

I noticed also while checking that Gossamer Gear is getting ready to upgrade their entire line of packs so they are selling the current style at discount prices. I may just get one of those rather than messing with this eBay thing (especially if the size turns out to be wrong).

A wild guess:

Measure from between upper end of shoulder straps, where they meet pack, to middle of where hip-belt wraps around waist.

Use this measurement as mid-point for recommended sizing.

Having a properly sized pack is fairly important.

Well, better to look like an idiot (or just think you are one), than buy something that won't work for you. I've asked some dumb questions myself, but better to ask than not know at all.

I usually call or email the manufacturers when I have a question. Some of them, like Voile, are great about answering questions-even the dumb ones-and they don't seem to mind if they are "common knowledge."

Hey, look at it this way, if you don't know it, how common can it be?

How old is your daughter, and do you know her torso length? I'm not sure even a small G4 will fit a small female. My daughter, now 17, still has a very hard time finding a lightweight pack that fits properly. My lovely wife spent a couple of years trying on every UL cottage gear pack out there, trying unsuccessfully to find one that would properly fit a female-type person. (The vast majority had shoulder harnesses that were far too wide and set too far apart, and dug into her neck and chest.)

My daughter recently got the REI 45 liter women's pack on sale. It seems to have enough torso adjustment to fit her well, and the hip belt pads don't meet in the middle around her waist (yay!). We'll see how she likes carrying it next month.

I think you may be right. Gossamer Gear is now making some smaller sizes (torso length 12 to 16 inches) but their older packs like the G4 have only two sizes and 16 inch torso length was at the bottom end of their smallest size.

My 12 year old daughter has a 15 inch torso and my 14 year old is the same size. Of course on top of that I need to get some packs for my 9 year old and my 6 year old. For them I'm thinking a belt-less pack would work best.

Mountain Laurel Designs has the kid's Prophet pack.

Pack fitting is alot like shoe fitting. Manufacturers differ greatly in their fit philosophy. Just like shoes, it really is determined by the manufacturer (the same can also be said about the method manufacturer's obtain pack volumes). As a side note, this is a huge reason why it makes sense to spend up on a higher end pack because most of these manufacturers put a tremendous amount of resources and effort into fit. A lesser quality pack is far less concerned with this. I could give you many examples.

Since I've never owned a Gossamer Gear pack, I don't know how they fit. The best way to get an idea is to ask someone who owns one and understands it's fit based on their size. There really isn't a standard measurement industry wide that determines a pack's size. I would never buy a pack based on a size measurement without trying it on first, unless you got an incredible deal and it can be returned without issue.

I just finished making my 7 and 5 yr old their own custom fitting pack because I couldn't find one that came even close (other than the Kelty Starfish).

That's awesome. What did you use for a pattern?

Well, I didn't use a pattern. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> I took an old ridgerest and cut it up for padding. I cut the padding for the hip belt that raps around the back, and the padding for the two shoulder straps. Then I sewed a sleeve to covers the padding with ripstop on one side and fleece on the other. I then took a sheet of 0.035" thick HDPE and cut it to about the size of the back panel. The HDPE is the frame and is not in a sleeve or anything. I attached the padding to the HDPE sheet with webbing and 550 cord. I then put three straps on the other side of the back frame. I haven't done it yet, but the idea is to sew a stuff sack big enough to carry their sleeping bag and maybe a few clothes and a water bottle. Then the sack is strapped to the back frame. It is kind of like a military alice pack with an external frame, but much smaller and lighter. I haven't weighed it yet, but I think I might cut holes in the HDPE sheet to drop the weight down some. But, it fits them and it can carry their sleeping bags. It is much easier for me to carry the small, heavy food and water, and them to carry the big, light sleeping bags.