[thunderhead]

[AlpineRose]

Women's-specific packs are designed to accommodate the narrower shoulders and wider hips of a woman and will carry better for her. They are not just shrink-it and pink-it versions of men's packs. Many models come in both women's and men's designs. The women's versions will always be more comfortable for a typically shaped woman. Of course, if a woman has wider shoulders, she might find a man's or unisex (which are male-oriented) version more comfortable.

[Julia]

I'm 5'4" 117# with a short/small torso and it isn't easy to find packs that will carry plenty, but small enough to comfortably fit. I've had to get my pack weight down also (knee problems), and have finally found a really good light (but not ultralight) pack that will fit a week's worth in it easily. The Gregory Amber 44 will expand to fit an average weekend or shaved-down week load, or cinch down enough to use as a daypack. The straps are cut to fit narrow shoulders, padded, but not as cushy and heavy as a Gregory Deva, for example. I've had a Mariposa and an Osprey, but neither carried comfortably for me. The Mariposa was just cut for too big a person (even the small), and the Osprey carries weight too far out from my core. Gregory packs come in smaller sizes/torso lengths and carry pretty close to the body--making them work well for my smaller size. It sounds like your friend is probably fairly close to the same size as I am. Hope that helps!

[Kat]

[EJ]

Definitely measure torso size. I'm 5'2" and use a medium torso pack. I originally had a short torso pack and it just didn't fit.

[LichenHiking]

I'm the same size as your friend and love my Granite Gear Crown VC in a size small. I tried a couple other lightweight packs, but this one is a good middle ground between lightweight/flimsy and heavy/bulletproof. I got it from REI but had to send in the Medium hip belt that came with it for a Small. My other pack that fits my small frame is my Gregory Deva 60 which has such a good hipbelt and lumbar system that I hardly notice that it it nearly 5 pounds. I still use for longer trips when I am carrying a lot of weight.

[filbert]

I'm all for the try-it before buying. My wife is a bit shorter than 5'2", and found that the Exos (and other packs supposedly made for women) were not comfortable. She now has a 30+L osprey pack that was designed for kids, not too badly made but if you look at children's packs you have to be wary of cheaper materials and construction. And she has a Deuter 50+L pack. Neither is UL, though they are on the "lighter" end of standard packs. As others have suggested, torso length etc. are all important in getting a good fit. Hope that helps p.s. McHale packs are _not_ for everyone, didn't work for me. It will cost you to find out.

[Malachai Constant]

[Backpacker Joe]

[filbert]

I'm not _against_ Dan. He seems to be a well-intentioned guy. But he charged me $75 to try one out. For this he attempted to adjust things so the fit was as good as he could make it. I took it on a day-trip (scrambly mixed trail, off-trail, and snow with appreciable elevation gain/loss). It didn't work for me; I returned the clean, undamaged pack to him; he wasn't interested in trying to get a better fit..end of my interaction with him. I was very disappointed, having heard so many good things from BPJ and others. I still don't have a pack to replace the size that I use on that kind of trip (though my old one is wearing through, will need to get something soon) Now perhaps he makes an exception for people who have bought his packs before. But he established the $75 fee by e-mail before I set foot in his house. I can understand his charging people - he spent time explaining his system and fitting the pack to me, though in the end this was unsuccessful. I'm not saying that his packs won't work for any particular person, just that they won't work for everyone, and it will likely cost you to find out.

[Pyrites]

I tend to be over warm more than too cool. I like the EXOS mesh back. If I get cold I can add a warmer top.

[forest gnome]

WE ALSO CHECKED THE OSPREY PACKS AT REI oops shouting... very doubtfull they weigh just over 2 lb....with a full frame... went with an ula, but its a top loader, though they may have a panel front model.... if granite gear still makes a 2lb-2.5lb pack try one out... THAT GREGORY PACK SOUNDS GREAT!!

[slugsworth]

I just wanted to second the ULA packs, they do a great job. 6 Moon designs also makes some decent packs that are pretty adjustable and can fit shorter torsos. I have one of each that i would be happy to let someone try on in Seattle.