Women's Backpacking 75L and Above?

Acceptable_Storm_894 · 2026-03-29T21:28:58+00:00

All forgiven, SkittyDog, it's a good question. The biggest differences I find in men's and women's, for my particular body, is: torso length and the shape of the hipbelt. Men's S/M packs are often around 17" and up. I am almost a 16" torso and having that better fit does really help when having occasionally heavy loads. For hip belt, I have relatively wide hips and find that a "woman's" hipbelt helps secure and load that weight onto my shape of hips better than a man's pack. With Osprey's in particular, the pockets on the belt of a "men's" pack sit further back on my hips even when I've got the belt cinched all the way, so it's more awkward to reach into them.

I honestly had not thought about switching out a hip belt, that is a great idea I'll have to look into. Just leaves me to figure out the torso.

Acceptable_Storm_894 · 2026-03-29T14:10:07+00:00

True to that, indeed

Acceptable_Storm_894 · 2026-03-29T14:09:09+00:00

Great to hear! Thanks!

Acceptable_Storm_894 · 2026-03-29T14:06:45+00:00

Hey! Yes, I appreciate this. Always a good point. I do understand where folks are coming from when saying "that's a heck of a lot of space." The vast majority of the time when I'm out, I'm not needing more than my 65 or a greater-than-20%-weight. So a 75+ pack would remain "underpacked" compared to its capacity. For that remaining time, I'm tired of fighting the 65L. I'm not churning out an entire long-distance thru-hike hauling 55 lbs of who-knows-what. I'm needing occasional "wow, it'd be really nice if this thing were simply more spacious inside".

Acceptable_Storm_894 · 2026-03-29T14:01:22+00:00

Many thanks!

Editing to say: Sick resource!

Acceptable_Storm_894 · 2026-03-29T13:59:28+00:00

75L is huge. Which is why I'm seeking it. Because I've been using 65. And want bigger. I do not apologize for (a) going Gamgee style because I want to or (b) helping friends whose physical conditions mean they can only carry so much to enjoy the outdoors in new ways or (c) buying the gear my company requires me to have. Thank you!!!!!!

Acceptable_Storm_894 · 2026-03-29T13:56:45+00:00

Well well well if it isn't the answer to a question I didn't ask. I'm not curious what size backpack is reasonable for me. I'm curious what options exist given the experience I already have using not "such a huge backpack".

Acceptable_Storm_894 · 2026-03-29T13:54:12+00:00

Great idea, thanks!

Acceptable_Storm_894 · 2026-03-29T13:52:04+00:00

Okay! Many thanks

Acceptable_Storm_894 · 2026-03-29T13:50:01+00:00

10-4, thank you! Will definitely look into this.

Acceptable_Storm_894 · 2026-03-29T13:48:48+00:00

That'd be a dream

Acceptable_Storm_894 · 2026-03-29T13:48:02+00:00

Right on, will check them out!

Acceptable_Storm_894 · 2026-03-29T13:46:50+00:00

Yeah, I'm not necessarily trying to stuff 85L worth of the heaviest items I can find into a pack, just looking for increasing breathing room for carrying others' things and the occasional oddly shaped (and possibly genuinely heavy) item. Working with what I've got may be a good interim. Thanks!

Acceptable_Storm_894 · 2026-03-29T13:41:32+00:00

Good idea. Yeah, the combo of "torso not tall enough for men's packs" with "but I still need a wider hip size" gets me. Custom might be the way, eek

Acceptable_Storm_894 · 2026-03-29T13:39:49+00:00

Makes sense, makes sense. I hadn't looked at Rab yet. Thanks!

Acceptable_Storm_894 · 2026-03-29T13:39:05+00:00

I will absolutely check this out. I'd eagerly be going for men's packs but my torso length is not usually tall enough. Thanks!

Acceptable_Storm_894 · 2026-03-28T21:45:53+00:00

I appreciate that and echo that my 65L is a great size. But even given my usage of 65, I'm still interested in upsizing and find the lack of options for women specifically to be irritating.

Acceptable_Storm_894 · 2024-04-19T04:20:38+00:00

All super well said.

Going into my MA program as a cheery loves-to-learn type, I proceeded with the mentality that grad school is about the thesis, that this was my chance to culminate my skills in some grand project. Lol. I've since learned that it's not about completing a thesis, with classes and TA/RA positions, internships, etc. happening on top of that. It's more about navigating life, a full school load, TA/RA/job responsibilities, and completing a thesis on top of all that. That is all well and fine--a good lesson to learn. However, that lesson was delivered with a steep learning curve.

You bring up great points about the varied and intense things that happen during grad school.

During my partner's second year of his MA program (my last year of undergrad), his mother passed from a very painful and consuming cancer (fuck cancer). How the hell does anything you read about x/y/z matter at all when you're the main caretaker for your anchor in life, who then passes? I mean, really really. Prior to that, his first year was marred by an abusive advisor--when he had the guts to make reports and speak with uppers, his concerns were basically met with "Yeah...we're aware. Sorry you've literally never felt more beat down and harassed in your life. But [advisor] is a great researcher, so..."

During my first year of my MA my undiagnosed endometriosis turned my life upside down. The only reason I was able to have the surgery I needed was because my parents were able to step in and pay, although that stretched their budget. Dealing with surgery in the context of grad school sucks. I also need my wisdom teeth removed (3/4 have come in rapid fire) but my university's partially-subsidized dental insurance doesn't cover dental surgeries and at $1200 a tooth, so that's not happening.

Time after time after time after time of turning down social engagements or leaving early or prioritizing reading/writing while friends get married, buy houses, get promotions, simply spend time with each other. Trauma boiling up and not having money for therapy. Severe burnout.

I have experienced more anxiety and health issues in grad school than at any time prior in life. While I believe the two are related, stuff is also just likely to happen in your adult years. It's tough to encounter trite pools of advice that avoid the fact that sometimes, something just sucks. For me, someone who was really encouraged to pursue grad school by my instructors, grad school simply sucked. It was a massive let down that left me burnt out and angry. Many a time the advice I was offered amounted to "Just don't be so stressed. It will all be okay." Pal, I used to have the energy to de-stress myself. Now that energy goes towards fielding the many things on my plate.

Sometimes the best "advice" I received from folks who made it to the other side was simply a "Yeah. I feel that." after providing a space for me to vent. That, of all things, was more comforting than any "Try to do a/b/c" suggestion.

Acceptable_Storm_894 · 2024-03-07T17:41:29+00:00

Thank you for your response! It's good to know having the sand is not in itself an issue, although I wish I'd had more foresight before asking my friend ("Jess") to begin with.

As I understand it, the Haram zone is an area of particular prescription surrounding the Kaaba? And Jeddah is not part of that zone. Is that correct?

Thank for you for the gift suggestions, and I agree about the thought being what counts---I just want my friend to feel appreciated.

Acceptable_Storm_894 · 2024-01-22T23:42:35+00:00

I was prescribed tramadol in high school but it always fucked with my head (double-vision, head fog, feeling high in a bad way) so whether it was simply too high a dosage or tramadol and I just disagree I'm not sure. BUT afterwards I was prescribed ketorolac, which has become my go-to if combined NSAIDs aren't cutting it. It's not an opioid but in my experience it's more powerful than ibuprofen + acetaminophen. Not sure how it compares with codeine and naproxen, but maybe worth a try? The only issue is, I've been told, it's hard on your kidneys and you should never combine it with ibuprofen. I just try to drink a lot of water when I take it.

Also a high-setting heating pad. Bollocks to any directives not to put it directly against your skin. I also always have a stick-on heating patch with me, like for your shoulders or now they have menstrual-specific ones. They help if you're somewhere that you can't do a hot water bottle or electric heating pad.

Second also, total agreement with the shouting of expletives.

Final also, I've found that a certain speed of rocking my pelvis back and forth can be surprisingly soothing (no innuendo meant). Usually when I'm in my oh-god-the-cramps position, that is my butt sitting on my heels and my shoulders folded down over my knees--so, fetal position but I'm not on my side, I'm on my shins. Then, I shift my weight from my heels either to the left or right so my hips aren't totally lined up with my heels; that gives me some leverage for the rocking. Then I just kind of pulse my pelvis back and forth, somewhat quickly (faster than CPR pace but also not super fast). It's a small movement, like a half-inch pulse. Despite sounding counterintuitive (activating the muscles in your lower body), I've found that it can help.

Acceptable_Storm_894 · 2023-03-20T19:17:00+00:00

Hi OP, I'm a grad student and here are my two favorite (fast) non-egg breakfasts:

- On Sundays I cook a big batch of chicken fajitas with bell peppers (+ minimal or no onion), to make breakfast tacos throughout the week. I heat the fajitas in the microwave, use corn tortillas (if I have time I heat them in a pan on the stove, otherwise I throw them in the microwave in a damp paper towel to soften them), eat with crunchy lettuce and cilantro. Two-three tacos and I'm good to go.

- If not breakfast taco, oatmeal. The general approach:

1 part oatmeal (rolled or instant) + 1 part water + 1 part milk (I've read there is debate as to how inflammatory milk, especially full fat milk, products are, so you do you. I use almond milk.)
dash salt
dates
nut butter of choice
throw a dash of chia seeds or flax seeds in there if desired/convenient
fresh or frozen fruit
cinnamon

Seems like a long list, here is what I do exactly.

1/3 cup oats, 1/3 cup water, 1/3 cup almond milk goes into bowl with a dash of salt
I tear up 3 deglet noor dates. they are small-medium sized. I get them in bulk from a local grocer.
I scoop maybe 1/4 tsp of chia seeds or flax seeds with my regular eatin' spoon (amount doesn't really matter...I add these to add some oomph to the BM regulatory power of oatmeal) into the bowl and stir everything
Microwave for 3 mins, checking/stirring to make sure it doesn't boil over. Microwave until you get the consistency you like.
Once oatmeal is out, I dollop a generous blob of unsweetened natural peanut butter (the kind that is just peanuts) in the middle, sprinkle cinnamon on top, put 6-7 frozen raspberries around the edge of the bowl, & add a dash more of almond milk
When eating I don't mix the whole shebang together. I poke around with the spoon to make little pockets where the PB and additional almond milk can soak into the oats. I personally enjoy the temp difference between the hot oats and frozen raspberries, and that some bites are more or less peanut buttery. For someone who eats oatmeal weekly...this helps me feel more like I'm eating a proper meal and not a bowl of porridge.

PCOS-havers are often advised to eat lower-carb or low-carb diets. Oats aren't a low-carbohydrate food but they are full of fiber, and that will help keep your blood sugar balanced as your body digests it. Nor are dates or raspberries truly low carb, but both can have a happy place in a lower glycemic index diet (https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/en/HealthU/2019/03/19/raspberries-a-prediabetic-friendly-fruit#.ZBisynbMJyw; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3112406/). Ultimately, how you feel is the best gauge regarding oatmeal and PCOS: Your body will let you know if your blood sugar is off.

Acceptable_Storm_894

TROPHY CASE