In August, I am off to the northern Brooks on a backpacking trip. I am training now and notice that the backpack slants to the right . I have tried to figure out why and I am at a total loss. As far as I can tell, everything seems to be adjusted properly.

Any ideas?

Details details details...

What pack, how is it loaded, tried other packs, posture, shoes, hips aligned?

Lots of variables. Fill in some details and let's go from there. I've only had issues like that because of packing. I'm not a "stuffer", meaning pulling everything out of a stuff sack and stuffing loose. I like things in their stuff sacks, so spend a bit of time balancing the weight of the rigid items and filling in holes evenly with smaller items/food.

Water can be a pain depending on how you carry it. I usually carry a liter in the lid in a platypus, or if a full bottle in a side pocket, try to balance it with my tripod and pan head on the other side of the pack.



What's yer setup?

It is a Barney's pack aka Frontier Gear of Alaska. I have had it since 2013. I have been on 4 sheep hunts with it. I have trained with it extensively during that period of time. I have walked hundreds of miles carrying that pack. This is the first year I have had this issue.

I have about 45 pounds of weight in it. This consists of a sleeping bag which is in the bottom of the bag . This is largely for shape and keeping heavier things out of the very bottom. In addition, the balance is 5 pound bags of Acorn Rage. All are winched down tightly.

Nothing is in the side bags. No liquids.

I train in the same boots I hunt in. Lowas.

My normal posture does not lean this way.

When I get the pack on, I bring both elbows straight back. I hit the pack with my right elbow. I do not with my left elbow. Clearly this is an indication that something is wrong. In addition, I can tell that the very bottom of the frame is closer to my body on the right side than on the left side.

This is of extreme concern to me. Last year, about 30 days before I left on sheep hunt, I got injured while training with the pack loaded with about 70 pounds. It took months to heal. I do not wish to go through that again.

Thanks!

Those are external frames, correct? If your took a tumble with a heavy load could it be that frame/stays or point of attachment for the belt and shoulder straps got knocked outta whack?

I'd be tempted to take everything off the frame and make sure the dimensions jive, then re-attach piece by piece and see what's what.

Definitely external frames.

I am getting ready to head out for 10 miles with the pack. I had an idea. I took everything out of the pack. Then I put the pack on. I had my wife measure from the base of the frame on the right side to the floor. Then the same on the left.

Guess what? The right side was .75 inches lower with an empty pack!

This clearly eliminates the loading as the issue.

Might check that the frame is square. Dimensions corner to corner will tell you.

Interesting that you say that. I said to my wife morning that I wonder if the frame has gotten bent by the airlines.

TSA isn't TLC, for sure.

The frame is square.

Ah, interesting. I was thinking top rotated to the right, but it's that the frame is closer to the body than the left, weird.

I've not used a Barney's, but know they have a stellar rep.

I would be tempted to order another pack and test it out. If it works perfect, it's worth the money to buy it. If you find out what's wrong with the original pack, it's worth the shipping to find out. Granted yours is a current model.

An odd problem for sure. Wish I had better suggestions than bro 16Bore....

Listen to your brother boy....


I'd take the entire thing apart and start from scratch. BaxterB and I have done that about 400 times with ours.

Larry,

First I would loosen the waist belt connectors at the base of the frame. Loosen the strap tensioners on the shoulder straps and also the load lifters that are up at the top of the shoulder straps after they are tightened again.

Tighten the waist belt connectors after you have the pack on and your waist belt attached and clicked. These are the hardest to get tight. It's easier to have someone else reef on them while you wear the pack. If you recall when I took you to Barney's on your last trip this is the first thing they checked.

After that pull on the shoulder straps and get them to fit snug and feel good.

Lastly the load lifters at the top of the shoulder straps are the "fine tuners". They will help alleviate any side to side deviation from an uneven load.

I adjust the shoulder straps and load lifters often during a trip. I stay away from doing anything with the hip belt connectors if I can help it.

Hope that helps.

The suspension system on a Barney's pack is awesome when tuned correctly, especially for heavy loads. I have carried loads with my Pinnacle Pack I could not have dreamed of carrying with other packs I have.

If you still have a problem give me a call.

Cheers
Jim

Sweet, Jim's here... glad you showed up Wojo, wasn't sure how to summon you to the thread ;-).

quote:

Originally posted by BaxterB:
Sweet, Jim's here... glad you showed up Wojo, wasn't sure how to summon you to the thread ;-).

Dude!! You could have texted me.

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:

quote:

Originally posted by BaxterB:
Sweet, Jim's here... glad you showed up Wojo, wasn't sure how to summon you to the thread ;-).

Dude!! You could have texted me.

there is that! Chalk one up to a brain fart! Carry on, good man!

Put it on your wife and have her stand there with it on while you inspect it, sounds like something isn't rigged (adjusted) right and is dipping on one side.

What I discovered is that there is a strap that is not readily visible. It has loosened and moved.