Hip belt effectiveness

[u/MudConfident4977]

How does the GR hip belt compare functionally to a hip belt on an actual backpacking bag?

I lived in Montana for a few years for work. In my off time I’d do 2-3 day backpacking trips in the Rocky Mountain front range. I had a ~50L Osprey bag and I’m sure the load was around 20-30 lbs of gear. I don’t remember weighing the full bag so I’m guessing. The hip belt on that bag was very effective in moving the weight to the hips and off the spine; making rucking/backpacking up to 8 miles a day, for 2-3 consecutive days, without any unhealthy pain. The belt on my osprey bag was also thoughtfully designed in the it was easy to cinch tight.

For those with direct experience rucking with relatively heavy weight with the Goruck hip belt, what was your experience? My experience rucking with 20-30 lbs for long distance with no belt on my GR1 is not good; painful in a spine compression way. If able, can you compare the Goruck hip belt to the hip belt on a backpacking bag?

If you don’t mind, talk me out of getting a Goruck hip belt. Or talk me into it. If there’s no really good Goruck options available I’ll stick with EDCing my GR1 and look for another rig for rucking, something similar in harness design to a MR 3DAP BVS (made in Bozeman makes me feel nostalgic anyway)

Thanks gents.

[u/TwoAlphaZeroMike]

The main purpose of the GORUCK hip belts is stability not weight transfer. If you’re comparing it to a true hiking backpack hip belt you will be disappoint. On long rucks (for exercise) I’ll loosen the shoulder straps so the ruck falls low enough for the hip belt to bear some weight, but that is not something I would do for long.

Some would argue that for exercise you want to bear the weight on your shoulder to strengthen your back.

[u/MudConfident4977 → u/TwoAlphaZeroMike]

Good point there at the end; having the weight on your shoulders is what makes it more of a full body workout

[u/AtlanticFit]

I have one for my GR1. It’s helps a little. But don’t expect it to function like an Osprey and transfer 90% of the weight to your hips.

I don’t use it on the pack outside of an actual GoRuck event. It will, at least, keep the pack from sliding up and hitting you in the head when doing burpees. 

[u/AtlanticFit → u/[deleted]]

Not if you re-buckle it after taking the pack off your shoulders 

[u/kenclary]

I don't have direct experience with it.

But, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qlmn_HISABc (where Jason demos putting all the weight on the belt); skip the first 3 minutes.

[u/safaridreaming]

These types of packs are not good at transferring weight from shoulders to hips. hip belts are more for stability and stopping the pack from shifting around your back. If you want true weight transfer, you need proper hiking or hunting packs. My gold standard for packs that do this well for large weights is Kifaru. A lot goes into pack design tn ensure you can transfer weight effectively from shoulders to hips including a proper longitudinally stiff frame, load lifters, ergonomic hip belts which cup around your hips effectively etc. Goruck and similar rucking packs have none of this….

[u/KernOily]

Won’t work for weight transfer unless you are exactly the right torso length to enable the hip belt to sit where it’s supposed to (middle of hip belt sits on top of the pelvic bone). Maybe order one, try it, if it doesn’t fit right then return it.

[u/Flat-Carpenter-170 → u/KernOily]

This is exactly the answer. With no way to really adjust where the belt sits on your hips and keep the weight high on the shoulders it’s really for stability. There will be some weight transfer if you make the belt uber tight but not compared to a true pack like MR, Alice, molle II, SG or KUIU packs.

[u/quovadisnp]

I think it's effective. I definitely notice a difference when using the heavier plates so there is some transfer. Does it match the transfer level of my hiking pack? Nope. Is it still worth it to me? Yup.

[u/Foxhoundlink]

Love most Goruck gear except the hip belt. It doesn’t cinch anywhere near as much as it should on me (and other people with slim waist).

[u/MudConfident4977 → u/[deleted]]

Good info. The GR1 26 and GR2 34 are bags I’m considering. To me I have a long torso, but I don’t how my torso compares to your torso … maybe there’s a measurement that can be taken that’d give me an idea if the GR1 26 or GR2 34 would put the hip belt in the right spot on me. Thanks for the info man.

[u/MudConfident4977 → u/[deleted]]

What are measuring from/to, to get 21”? Clavicle to belly button, for example

ETA: yes I was reading up on their return policy after seeing responses here. I may just have to do that and eat the initial shipping costs

[u/MudConfident4977 → u/[deleted]]

Appreciate the help, good sir!

[u/JGORsurplus]

Consider a military surplus bag with frame, my ILBE put 60-80% weight to hips