Tell me what I'm doing wrong.

Bmcox86

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Sep 26, 2013
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I'm trying to get my EXO adjusted right and can't figure it out. I feel like the loads on my hips but there's not much angle on the load lifters and I'm not sure if it's on the right spot on my hips and torso. I watched a kirafu video on YouTube and feel like I have it right but since this is my first high end pack I'm not sure. Here are some pics. Any help is appreciated
.image.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpg
 
Joined
Mar 23, 2012
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707
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Boise, ID
Looking at the pics you have the pack riding a little low from what I can tell on the hips. You want the belt centered on your illiac crest (top of the hipbone). From there you can see the torso is adjusted to tall, there is a gap in between the shoulder harness padding and the top of your shoulders. You can see it pretty clearly in pics 3 and 4. I would shorten that about 1" and you should be good to go. You can also slide the tri-glide plastic piece that connects the load lifter strap to the shoulder harness webbing a little farther forward to create better leverage.

There isn't technically a perfect formula on how to fit the pack though, it all comes down to what is comfortable and works for you. If the majority of the weight is on your hips, about a 80/20 split and its riding well you don't need to fuss around with it too much.

Steve
 

muleman

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It looks possibly low on the hips. Is the belt centered over the top of you hip bones?
 
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Bmcox86

Bmcox86

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Okay I think I have it up on the right spot on my hips and I adjusted the torso pad down 1inch. How's that look?
I think the torso and the hip belt is what was getting me. I don't have much for hips my wife just told me.

image.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpg
 
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Liosis

FNG
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Jun 6, 2014
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I find that most packs ride the best when the belt buckle is just covering the belly button...that's the easiest reference point for me. And if the waist belt is slipping, it's not tight enough.
 

Kawabunga

Lil-Rokslider
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Jun 18, 2013
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Hawaii/Nevada
Im a little over 5' 10" and can get a lot of lift, maybe you have a longer torso? Looks pretty good maybe you can adjust torso more, one of the nice features of this pack is the easy adjustment.
Good luck.
 
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since steve didnt mention it, maybe thats how its supposed to be, but on all the packs ive used, the tri-glide that attaches the load lifter strap should be adjusted forward, over the collar bone. creating leverage, spreading the load, instead of pulling at the top/back of the shoulder straps.
also first pics look like torso was too long.
second pics look better. i like my shoulder strap to make contact all the way around and when you shrug, they should lift off slightly.
 

slim9300

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Olympia, WA
Okay I think I have it up on the right spot on my hips and I adjusted the torso pad down 1inch. How's that look?
I think the torso and the hip belt is what was getting me. I don't have much for hips my wife just told me.

View attachment 17249View attachment 17250View attachment 17251View attachment 17252

Are the shoulder straps just that short or is your chest that thick? That right strap buckle is higher than I would expect. Can the shoulder straps be adjusted to be made longer? I guess if it doesn't dig into your side it doesn't matter too much.
 
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verysimple

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jan 3, 2014
Messages
132
My turn to adjust.

I am a short 5-6 and 3/4. Weight around 156.

Set torso all the way down:
33boehz.jpg


Still lots of room between shoulder harness and my shoulders (before load lifters are pulled tight). When I pull those in, I get tension/pressure around chest/pectoral area before top of the shoulders
24qj0c4.jpg

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4v4so3.jpg

2nlsmdx.jpg


Am I too short?
Any pointers would be appreciated.
I tried centering my belt around Iliac crest area as Steve suggested.
 
Last edited:

muleman

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Were the load lifter straps loose before you tried to tighten down the shoulder straps? It is key for proper fit with packs to have all straps loose when donning.
 
Last edited:

verysimple

Lil-Rokslider
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Jan 3, 2014
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Your suggestion does help.. Loosened up load lifters, now got a bit of weight on the shoulders..
When tightening lower shoulder straps, tension starts on the pecs before top. I just have to play around with it and adjust when carrying 30-40 pounds..
Nice pack..
 

stephen b

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Feb 25, 2012
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Mckenzie Valley, Oregon
Looking at your pics I would ( as said above) do not even touch the load lifter straps until the very end- and then just barely tighten them up.

But first it looks like your torso may be adjusted too short. Those shoulder straps need more contact with your shoulders. I would adjust the shoulder straps where the Tri glide that is on the shoulder harness ( where the front of the load lifters attach) comes off of the shoulder straps where your collar bone is. That is how it should be with most packs. It looks like yours is coming off ( the load lifter sh. Harness interface) at the top of your shoulders - rather than in front. So lengthen the torso and adjust the shoulder harness and the Tri glide for the load lifters till it is at the point where it is either even with your collar bone or just slightly above. IMO - yours is too far back.

Just my 2c based on pics.
 
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My turn to adjust.
Am I too short?
Any pointers would be appreciated.
I tried centering my belt around Iliac crest area as Steve suggested.

i cant say for sure about the adjustment or youre height, but what ive seen happen when the lifter straps gap the shoulder straps like that, it puts too much on the wasitbelt. when you have a heavy load out, you need that 30-40% on your shoulders otherwise it will just wreck your hips. or it will push that belt down, until it gets some shoulder contact, which isnt good either.
 
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Bmcox86

Bmcox86

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When you say adjust the tri glide on the load lifters forward. Do you mean towards the pack or down away from the pack?
 
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