Carrying too much Weight!!

[Michaelpav57]

I am a little overweight with a a biggish tummy and the corresponding "love handles". I know my waist strap is meant to sit on my hips to take most of the weight but my tummy causes it to slip down putting all the weight on my shoulders. I have tried pulling the strap really tight but this only causes discomfort and doesn't really solve the problem. I do some longer treks and would love to solve this issue. I am 61 very thick in the middle and find it hard to change my body shape.
Apart from the obvious solution does anyone have any ideas or useful hints?

[Zapruda]

Something like this may help you fine tune the fit of the hipbelt.

Alternatively, maybe wearing a tshirt that is a bit more rough in texture to try and create a bit of "grab" on the hipbelt.

[Michaelpav57]

Thanks for that. I will try both ideas.

[warnabrother]

adjust your harness (if it's adjustable) to a slightly shorter length, then the strap will sit a little high on your belly and slip down to where it should sit ..

alternatively, eat less and move more - helped me drop 35kg's

[crollsurf]

If you have loosened the shoulder straps as far as they go, my guess is the pack is too short for you, you need a longer pack. Before that I would undo the shoulder straps and get the pack on your back and see that the pack doesn't slip totally off, holding the shoulder straps so the pack sits as it should. A bit of slip can be expected but your but-checks should stop it slipping right off. If it doesn't slip right off, time to get a longer pack.

[Lamont]

I second the Zpacks one. Those duel belts multi-adjustable, and it's not too thick, so it should form well to your body-should work a treat.

[Michaelpav57]

thank you everyone for the advice and for going easy on me. i will try all suggestions and get back to you. We are walking the Great Ocean Walk in 10 days

[taswegian]

There is also such a thing as 'life without waist strap'.
Before the cries ring out, I walked for many years with an old Paddy Pallin H frame. It wasn't until I got my next PP H I discovered waist straps.
And that was in the days when I had a bit to spare around the middle.
Obviously the strap has real advantages, and I now 'couldn't survive' without one, but I wouldn't be flogging yourself 'cos it's a must have item'.
If the packs not comfortable I'd be looking at why before blaming the lack of the waist strap.

I'm not for one minute saying they're a waste but let you be the judge.

Enjoy your trip.

[rcaffin]

Get someone who knows more about packs to look at yours, on you. It does sound as though you may have a pack which does not match your torso length. It's the side view which matters.

Cheers
Roger

[wayno]

what is the pack make and model?
a good pack should be adjustable enough and comfortable enough to resolve this

[Strider]

I’m also a sufferer of this and definitely also recommend a hip belt with both upper and lower adjustability. I use Aarn packs and wear the lower straps quite a bit tighter than the uppers.


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[Moondog55]

I had this problem too for a while, then I shortened the pack length a little bit and it helped, a little more and it helped even more. It seemed that the harness position had slipped incrementally since I bought and had it fitted and it was a half inch to long
So first up try shortening

[Nuts]

A female- specific waist belt will usually angle in more at the top/ may help ? as well