Help with my Eberlstock please

[Jon2]

Dear all

Just wanted to get some opinions from others who have an Eberlstock as I can't seem to get the hip belt low enough so that it is actually where it should be (resting on the hips).

For me it rides too high and so is above my hips.

I seem to have made every adjustment possible to lower it but it is still too high.

I am six foot tall so it's not as if I am a giant or anything. I have a Berghaus backpack for camping etc and there is plenty of adjustment to get the hip belt right, but on this Eberlstock I just can't seem to sort it.

Am I doing something wrong or have others experienced this exact same thing? What I mean is that is this a design error?

Just for info I have adjusted the straps and then the ladder type black fasteners which sort of hold the strap structure to the compartment areas (hope I have explained that ok).

Any feed back greatly recieved.

Thanks

JB

 

[SAPPER26]

What model do you have?

 

[Jon2]

Hi there

It is the X1.

A guy on another forum said it is plain and simple - my back is too long for the pack.

I am thinking I am doing something wrong as I can't believe they would have designed it like this intentionally as as I say above I am a six footer but if the pack is fully adjusted they must have been designed for short people.

Do you know if the X1 is poorly designed? Or am I doing something wrong?

What I am after is some responses from people who have thought the exact same thing (if they have of course) as this would lead me to think it isn't me doing something wrong and it is actually the design.

Thanks

 

[onzah]

Before you get too excited, I would give the manufacturer a call. They have been very helpful in my experience.

 

[TheHardWay]

x2 on contacting Eberlestock. Although my pack is different than yours (J107 Dragonfly) it seems to fit my well. I am 6'2".

 

[Jon2]

Yes thanks Fellas I did contact them by email and recieved a v prompt reply and followed the instructions in the email (again unless I am doing something wrong) but to no avail.

I will have a friend take a look too as maybe another set of eyes and brain might help but I am definitely maxed out on adjustment using the black ladder style webbing on the flat side which hugs your back.

Maybe I am doing something wrong with the straps.

Interesting your Dragon fly is A1 and you are 6'2".

Thanks again

If I get it sorted I will post an update.

 

[Strider]

I have a J107. I have over a half-dozen other packs (I am a pack junky), and the J107 does ride differently (as in higher). I am also 6 ft tall. The pack is made to ride on the top of, but still on, your hip bones. It rides high when fitted properly,but I packed 92 lbs. 8.5 miles into Idaho last year with it and found it to be the most comfortable pack I have ever used.

Have you tried any packing with it? Is it uncomfortable or is it just that if rides higher than what you are used to?

 

[TheHardWay]

Have you tried any packing with it? Is it uncomfortable or is it just that if rides higher than what you are used to?

He was talking about the X1 pack. It may fit a different than the J107 that we have.

 

[Jon2]

Sorry for the delay in responding boys. I have been away from the PC for a few days.

Thanks and yes I am talking about the X1 but if the J107 rides high it sounds like it is just the way they are designed.

Good to know someone else out there has experienced this though as I thought it was just me. Perhaps all the Eberlstocks are the same as in they do tend to ride high.

Thanks for the info.

 

[the hunt guy]

Jon2,

Hey man. I used to sell backpacks at a large corporation and have experience in fitting a lot of different brands, sizes and styles of packs on people with a lot of different body sizes and types. Also, I just bought a Eberlestock J107M pack (which is 2900-5400 cubic inches without the duffel attached). I am almost exactly 6 feet tall, about 220 lbs with a normal, if there is such a thing, torso length.

My first impression of the pack when I put it on empty was, wow, this pack is actually riding a little higher than other packs on the waist strap. I though of this as a good thing. I have found that packs usually have to be shortened up, to fit properly. This is usually done by lowering the shoulder straps. You obviously don't need to do this.

Do you have the x1 or x1e? The x1 is 2100 cu in and is designed as a day pack...maybe a long day depending on the person. The x1 european is 2900cu in. Try to think about it this way: The larger the pack = the more weight the person will carry (typically). The smaller the pack = less need for hip belts. The belt is designed so that, when it is properly attached, the weight of the pack will ride on your hips and legs.

Ok, so as far as fitting your pack to you, do the following. Stand up, and feel your hip bone. You're looking for the iliac crest which is the part of the bone that sticks out like a tip (if that doesn't make sense, google "iliac crest" and look a pic). Your goal is to have the TOP of the hip belt be at the same level as your iliac crest. To most people who haven't been shown how to wear a pack correctly, this will feel like the belt is too high, but it's not. Once that's done, complete these next steps EVERY TIME you put on your pack.

(1) Loosen all the straps that are used for fitting the pack to you (ie, hip belt, shoulder straps, load lifters (the ones that connect the top of the shoulder strap to the top of the pack itself) and sternum strap).

(2) Put pack on.

(3) Buckle and tighten the hip belt.

(4) Tighten the shoulder straps. Do this by first pulling the straps straight down towards your feet and then pull them back towards and past the pockets of your pants.

(5) Tighten the load lifters. They don't need to be very tight. Their purpose is to take just a little more weight off of the shoulders. When hiking on flat terrain, it is better to have them a little more loose. When you are hiking up and or down, tightening the load lifters will take away some side-to-side sway and make this portion of the hike a little easier.

(6) Buckle and tighten the sternum strap. The goal here is to bring the shoulder straps inward just a bit to allow for more arm mobility and comfort.

(7) Release just a little bit of tension on the shoulder straps. This will help settle the load onto your hips.

It would probably be better to do this with weight in the pack so you can actually feel what each adjustment does.

Well, Jon2, I hope this actually helps solve your pack issues. Hit me up with any questions or comments.

 

[Jon2]

Hunt guy

Thank you very much for the time taken to compile such a detailed and informative response.

Yes my pack is the X1 and as such I agree entirely that as you say this pack is probably designed as a day pack and as such is not so important to have the same fitting as a pack that is designed for higher load bearing.

I can't go wrong with your instructions and I will follow them as you say after actually placing some weight in the pack.

As I say many thanks for taking the time to post such helpful comments.

best

JB