My wife and I have decided we want to hit the trail and take some overnight and weekend trips.
The trouble is, I’m a big guy: 6 feet tall and 325 lbs. Big. Since no amount of vertical stripes and black cloth can conceal that fact, I’m not going to wait for the flab to fall off so I can enjoy nature, so I’ve already begun to accumulate equipment. Unfortunately, I’ve come to an impasse; that being the distance between the clips on the hipbelt of every pack I’ve tried. My question is, are there any companies that make packs for bigger guys, and a 54″ waist? I’ll avoid going for a Krispy Kreme while I await your suggestions.
Submitted by – Christopher
More: Get gear reviews straight from readers like you with Gear 360.
Dear Christopher,
First, I applaud your efforts. No matter what your size, you deserve to experience the joys of backpacking. Not only will it rejuvenate your spirit, it will help you trim down, too. In fact, if you really get bitten by the backpacking bug and like the idea of using it as a basis for weight loss, check out fatpacking.com, an adventure travel company with two goals: to alter your body composition and give you an unforgettable wilderness experience. I spoke with Steve Silberburg, the owner of the company, and asked him for some pack recommendations based on his clients’ experiences.
He had tons of good advice: