Sorry if this is a weird question, but I just don't find them comfortable!

For any ladies out there, especially those who might be on the, shall we say, zaftig, side, what are your thoughts?

Do you find they really give you any necessary or helpful support?

I also find they have the unfortunate effect of saying "hey, look at these!".

Anyone else?

If you can adjust the height, you can try moving the sternum strap higher. Otherwise, I don't think there's much you can do.

Good luck getting it to work, I find that my pack feels much better with it on. For me, the sternum strap is at least as important as the belt.

Absolutely!! Although mine could probably do with new elastic (it's 12 yrs old). Make sure it is high enough to be comfortable. As for the 'shelf' factor, sticks and stones my dear!!

When it comes to words and 'ogles', that I can't help, so I don't bother. If I were to worry about every sexual thought that went through another person's head just because of what they saw in me, then I would be seriously demented. It's their problem - let them deal with it!! As long as they keep the filthy thoughts and hands to themselves they are welcome to them.

This is the only thing I hate about my new(ish) otherwise fabulous pack. The chest straps don't even adjust up high enough to fit properly on my chest. The chest straps can be really helpful and make it much easier and healthier for your back but they have to be in the right place. The right place is not straight through the middle of your chest.
I'm about to take a hard look at my straps to see if I can alter it in anyway and move the straps up a bit, just a bit, a centimeter will do..

Good luck figuring this one out. Chest straps do help but its nearly impossible to find ones that hit you right whether you're large chested or not.

I agree that a sternum strap is very important for comfort, and this is not the first time that I have heard this issue from women.

Some sternum straps are adjustable, some are not. They can be easily made, and can be made to be adjustable.

I agree with Callilucy -- my chest straps don't fit well either so I don't use them at all. And I'm err.. normal chested.

Yeah, I move the strap up a bit so that it fits, but I know what you mean about it causing things to stick out... in addition to the chest problem I also have the problem that when the waist strap is actually properly tight it makes my ...spare tyre, shall we say? stick out. It's not the most flattering look, but sometimes you just have to put up with that for functionality.
I also have a women's pack that has the shoulder straps closer together so that also helps a lot and the chest strap isn't hugely necessary unless it's really full. Having said that, I haven't really used it much yet and may yet eat my words on that one.

(my only plan is to lose some weight so it's not as much of a problem!)

I am shall we say, top heavy? I agree with what everyone has already written. Embarrassing, yes, but necessary to use the chest straps to maintain good balance when the pack is heavy. I swear those kids pointing to me and laughing in SEA were saying "look! sweaty fat girl! touch her and she fall over!"

I'm considering this REI pack, and while there's no problem moving the straps "high up" enough, if that strap is buckled in, it causes the shoulder pads to pinch inwards. If I loosen the slack so the shoulder pads don't pinch, the strap is so loose as to not being of much use, I think...

Is there any value to having that strap buckled, but loose, I wonder...

Go to REI and have them fit you with weight in the pack. Its hard to understand exactly what you mean over the internet but I suspect you're trying to make the sternum strap to tight.

Yep, been there, done that.

The backpack guy was really helpful, but it came down a bit to pack choice. The Gregory or Osprey just fit me better than the REI, but I liked the panel-loading and size better of the REI...

Ok, well then part of it is just the fit that you've decided is decent enough to live with. I would suggest that you loosen the sternum strap a teensy bit. Its not going to be tight all the time. You breathe in and out and your chest moves around. The sternum strap is not meant to act as sausage casing, that would be super uncomfortable!

If it comes down to either the shoulder straps fit/lay correctly or the sternum straps do always favor the shoulder straps. Shoulder straps are much more important and load bearing.

Honestly, I've always had a hard time with sternum straps- getting them to fit right and adjusted correctly. It took me a long time to really understand how they're supposed to feel since they so frequently just do not fit your body. I think it just takes alot of trial and error. Once they fit just right I think you'll feel it.

I'd suggest that if pulling the sternum strap tight makes the shoulder straps buckle in then perhaps the shoulder straps aren't the right size for you. As in, women's packs tend to have the straps closer together and perhaps you need that.

I'm a guy but am inflicted with a increasingly common problem...moobs (man boobs damn those Burger Kings and chocolate, they are just toooo nice). As such I dont use the chest strap....mainly 'cos I find it very tight

Just thought I'd give a mans perspective :P

quote:

Originally posted by HooleyHoop:
I'm a guy but am inflicted with a increasingly common problem...moobs (man boobs damn those Burger Kings and chocolate, they are just toooo nice). As such I dont use the chest strap....mainly 'cos I find it very tight

Just thought I'd give a mans perspective :P

I'm a flat-chested man, and I still hate the sternum strap. I'm doing athletic activity - why would I want to make it harder to breathe.