 Fitting Backpacks
Hip Belt
The Hip Belt consists of two
substantially padded wings either side of the Lumbar Padding at the base of
the backpack. This padding on all White Mountain backpacks is made of two different
foam densities, with the softer foam (low density foam) on the inside against
the body and the more rigid foam (high density foam) on the outside.
With the backpack on, adjust the Shoulder Straps until the backpack fits
snugly into the lower back, the Internal Staves follow the contour of the back
and the pull position of the Upper Load Stabilizer Straps are in the correct
position. Then buckle the Hip Belt and position the Hip Belt by pressing down
with your hands until the belt settles in the right spot. Tighten the Hip Belt,
connect the Sternum Strap, and adjust the Shoulder Straps and the two Lower
Load Stabilizer Straps for optimum comfort.
When correctly positioned on the individual, the Hip Belt would be across
or just below the hipbone or Iliac Crest as illustrated in this diagram by the
red line.
An important point to remember when positioning the Hip Belt is to place
the buckle level with, or below the position where you would normally place
a trouser belt. When correctly positioned the Hip Belt would appear to slightly
angle down from the backpack to the front of your body.
With the Hip Belt in the correct position, secure the Dual Adjustable Buckle
and pull the Hip Belt snug. The White Mountain Hip Belt buckle is dual adjustable
to allow ease of buckle repositioning for continued comfort on long treks.
If after positioning the Hip Belt you find the backpack is riding up, even
under weight, you simply need to loosen the Shoulder Straps to lower the position
of the Hip Belt and the backpack by approximately 2.5 cm or 1 inch.
Constructing and designing backpacks to suit both women and men is of prime
importance for manufacturers. Some manufacturers have created a separate range
of women’s backpacks while others like White Mountain, have created canted Hip
Belt designs that adjust to different angles depending on a woman’s hip size
and figure. If you have a narrow waist and larger hips, the Hip Belt adjusts
to provide an optimum angle of comfort and maximum body contact. This is an
important consideration, since the hips and lower back typically support 80%
of the backpack weight. White Mountain™ incorporates a variable cant in the
SSS and SHS Harness System by adding approximately 50 mm 2” of extra material
to the beginning of each Hip Belt wing. It is Important to have the Lower Load
Stabilizer Straps loose before tightening the Hip Belt, or else the Hip Belt
will not mould and wrap completely around the hips. Remember, a Hip Belt is
not a waist belt; a waist belt only promotes backpack stability, whereas a Hip
Belt in conjunction with the Lower Load Stabilizer Straps, supports most of
the backpack weight.
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