Extended day pack for a big guy?

I'd like to buy a multi-day/expedition pack, on the order of 65 liters or larger.

My issue is that I'm a very large guy. Picture an NFL lineman, after retirement.

Chest: 56 inches
Shoulder: Even bigger
Waist: 44 inches
Height: 6'4"
Torso: I'm not sure...
Weight: Pushing 300

Any large guys out there that have a pack that works for you?

I've had an Osprey before, as they are one of the few pack makers that seems to carry an XL. But I sold it a few years ago before moving to Thailand. Well, I'm moving to Romania and have some backpacking already lined up. So I need to restock my gear. That's the fun part. The not-so-fun part is I need to find gear that works for my size.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks.
Lowell, aka Huskychemist

Dan McHale makes custom packs.

To amplify a bit, Dan McHale makes excellent custom packs that, while they are somewhat expensive, might be the last pack you would ever need to buy. Search for "McHale backpacks".

Seeing as how your body type is a couple of standard deviations away from "normal", it might be hard to find anything in a mass-market backpack that would fit you.

Thanks for the info. I'll be in Seattle in a few days, so I might try to get a fitting. I have to decide if I can afford the dollars right now...but it may be the best way to go.

Getting the right fit is soooo important, so if a custom pack does that, go for it.

That said, while you are in Seattle, you can check the latest Osprey pack lines. The Aether 60 or 70 still comes in various sizes, along with suspension systems and hip belts that can be swapped for larger sizes.

As kbennett suggested, check out the Osprey lines, since you found a fit there earlier. My son has an Aether and finds it extremely comfortable, although it's not exactly light weight (he "sherpas" for his kids and since he's a surfer he also carries a wet suit to the Olympic coast), Go to the downtown (flagship) Seattle REI store for best selection. If that doesn't work, check out McHale. You do need to know your torso length, but that's not something you can measure yourself--the REI store will do it for you. Try to find a clerk who is knowledgeable about packs! (I always seem to get stuck with teenagers who know nothing!)

As someone who's on the short end for most packs, I can sympathize with your problems, even though they're the opposite of mine!

Good luck! I hope we'll see trip reports from Romania!

"I always get stuck with teenagers..."

From the perspective of our, shall we say, "advanced experience," EVERYBODY is starting to look like a teenager!

As a Husky Banker I sympathize with you about finding backpacking gear for big men, it's a niche that isn't really being filled! I'm 6'3" and have about a 58" or 60" chest and about a 48" waist, but weigh about 380lbs. I got a Jansport Big Bear 82 over the winter and I LOVE IT! I have never felt so balanced and had a pack fit so well on me. I over packed it for a two night outing over Memorial Day weekend and felt like I could dance in it! I really can't recommend it enough. I bought one that was new, but a model from a previous year and paid about $48 for it! Campmor has them for about $100. Do yourself a favor and try it out!

Update:

I went to the REI Flagship store and they had the Osprey Argon 85 in stock in XL, with an XL hip belt. It's not a perfect fit (like a custom pack would be), but I didn't have the time or budget this summer to go that route.

I'm going to make the Osprey work for now, and if it's still not a great fit in a few summers, I might go for the custom pack.

Thanks for the feedback. I'll certainly try to post some reports from Romania. I leave in a few days...

Cheers.
Lowell

I'm glad you were able to find a pack! Good luck in Romania!