THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER FIT
A successful trip into the backcountry does not begin at the trailhead. It starts when you select the right backpack, and that begins - first and foremost - with fit. Since he began designing outdoor equipment, Wayne Gregory has been analyzing and experimenting with
fitting techniques for backpacks. He was the first designer to build an anatomically
correct internal frame pack , the first industry professional to create a foolproof method
for measuring body size - a system that is used throughout the outdoor industry today -
and the first manufacturer to offer a shoulder harness and waistbelt sizing program.
GETTING A CUSTOM FIT
Backcountry Gear Limited realizes that it is difficult to get a custom fit when you purchase a pack online. Our goal is to deliver a pack that is sized appropriately to fit your frame. The custom tweaks you can then do easily at home. Your Gregory pack will come with an instructional booklet detailing how to fit your pack. But if you have questions how to make an adjustment, please give one of our Gear Techs a call at 1-800-953-5499. Please take five minutes to read the following and take appropriate measurements. This could save you the time and hassle of having a different size pack sent to you.
To custom fit a Gregory pack, we will focus on three component sizes for your pack.
1. Pack body frame size.
2. Waistbelt size
3. Shoulder harness size
 1. The Right Frame Size.
Perhaps the biggest misconception regarding packs is torso size. For example, many 6 foot tall men think that because of their height, they need a large pack. While that is true in some situations, oftentimes, it’s a big mistake. Your torso size and your overall height are two completely separate measurements when it come to backpacks.
Your correct frame size is found by measuring your torso from the seventh
vertebra (the big bump where the shoulder slope meets the neck) down the spine to the
point in the small of your back which is horizontally level with the top of your hip bones
(iliac crest). To find the iliac crest, use your fingers to trace the hip bone upwards
until you can feel the point where the top edge of your hip bones curve inwards, on the
side of your hip, creating something of a shelf. Holding your finger on the seventh
vertebra, measure down your back to the point in the small of your back level with your
iliac crest (see figure at left). The measurement is most easily obtained using a string or a cloth tape and help from a friend. This is your torso length, and using it, you
can now select the correct frame size.
14” to 15-1/2” = X-SMALL
16” to 17-1/2” = SMALL
18” to 19-1/2” = MEDIUM
20” and up = LARGE
The two shoulder harness adjustment slots in the back panel (framesheet) relate to the torso length measurement. Each frame size accommodates two torso lengths. i.e. In a medium frame the lower slot is for an 18" torso and the upper slot is for a 19-1/2" torso. The shoulder harness should be set in the slot that corresponds to your specific torso length. |
| The other important fit consideration is the Shoulder Stabilizer Straps, which help you adjust the balance of the load once the pack is on. They are located at the crest of the shoulder, and attach to the pack near the
top of the framesheet. The straps themselves should run off your shoulder at approximately a 45-degree angle. If the angle is less than 45 degrees, then the pack may be too small for your
torso, check if the shoulder harnesses are in the upper slot in the frame sheet. If not make this adjustment. If the angle is greater than 45 degrees, then the pack may be too large check if the shoulder harnesses are in the lower slot in the frame sheet. If not make this adjustment. If you still feel the pack is not sized properly give us a call and we'll get a small or larger size sent out as soon as possible. |
2. The Right Waistbelt Size.
With a full pack on, the top edge of the waistbelt should ride one inch
above the top of the hip bone (iliac crest) and then wrap around the front of your abdomen
towards your belly button making sure the pad covers the front of your hip bones. Choose
the right waistbelt size by taking your waist measurement:
22” to 28” = SMALL
28” to 34” = MEDIUM
34” and up = LARGE
If your measurement is on the dividing line ask yourself the following: "When do I normally use my pack? Do I wear thicker clothing or a jacket?" And then to get real personal do you expect your weight to increase, decrease or stay the same in the future. Be honest. The answers can help you decide if you want to go up in size or not. You do not have to go up in size. I you measured 34 inches both belts will fit you equally well. A nice feature is that if two years down the road you lost two inches off your waist, just buy a smaller waist belt and switch it on your pack, no big deal.
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3. Choosing the
Right Shoulder Harness Cut and Size
The medium size frame comes with a medium harness, a large with a large and a small with a small. To make this simple we recommend you stay with this sizing unless you are a barrel chested man or a tall, slender woman. If you think you need a different size harness this is best discussed with a Gear Tech. Our online order system does not accommodate for changing a harness size so please call in your request to 1-800-953-5499. Also, please note that the Professional and Adventure series packs in the small and extra-small sizes come with the women's narrow fit shoulder harness. |
 The Correct Hip-to-Waist Angle.
After much experimentation, Wayne Gregory designed the Adjust•A•Cant Waistbelt, created specifically to adjust to the greater hip-to-waist angle common in women. The design is so effective that Gregory now use it on men’s packs as well. The Adjust•A•Cant Waistbelt is found on most of the Professional Series and Adventure Series backpacks. The Adjust•A•Cant panel offers three settings for the hip-to-waist angle: 16, 18, and 20 degrees. Your pack will come with the angle set to 16 degrees if you order a medium or large frame, and 18 degrees if you order a small or extra small pack. The Adjust•A•Cant setting is correct when the waistbelt lies evenly on the top and bottom of the hip (see figure at left). If gaps exist at either the top or bottom, you will need to adjust the waistbelt and try another cant setting so there is complete contact between the pads and your body. This adjustment is easily made by following these instructions.
Slide the belt buckle to end of the webbing, do not remove unnecessarily.
Loosen the side strap on the belt.
Reach behind the lumbar pad and unsnap the snap that holds the belt padding in place.
Now slide the padding out to reveal the two screws for the Adjust•A•Cant system.
Using a Quarter remove the screws and set the belt frame to the new position. Reinsert the screws being careful not to over tighten.
Slide the pad back into place and snap together.
Re tighten straps and the belt buckle.
Try on and recheck the fit.
If you would like the pack to come preset please give us a call and we would be more than happy to change the setting before we send you your pack.
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| If you have any questions on fitting your existing pack or to order a new pack please don't hesitate to give us a call at 1-800-953-5499. |
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