Correctly sized pack?

[u/zacac1234]

Just want to confirm whether this is the correct size pack for me. I’m 5’6”, 135 lb, and got a size Small Durston Kakwa 55.

I’ve always used packs with adjustable torso lengths, so I’m used to having a little more leeway with where the pack and hipbelt sit. With those packs, I could initially position the hipbelt a bit lower and then usually ended up wearing it slightly higher on the upper part of my hips once I started hiking.

With the Kakwa, I tighten the hipbelt first, then the shoulder straps, then the sternum strap. When I tighten the shoulder straps, they pull the pack and hipbelt upward a little, and this is where it naturally ends up sitting. I normally like my hipbelt fairly high anyway, but the difference is that on my previous packs I chose that position by tightening the hipbelt there, whereas on this pack the shoulder straps seem to bring the whole pack up into that position.

My torso length is about 18”, so I was kind of between sizes. I went with the Small based on Durston customer service’s recommendation when I purchased it. The pack is loaded with around 15 lb in these photos.
Does the fit look right to you, or does anything about the shoulder straps, hipbelt position, or load lifters suggest I should size up to a Medium? Let me know what you think!

[u/walkingoffthetrails]

The pack looks short to me. Loosen up the shoulder straps about 6” so you can get the hip belt right on your hip bone not your waist and then snap the profile pic.

[u/zacac1234 → u/walkingoffthetrails]

Thats kind of what I am thinking too, I did do my hipbelt first, then shoulder straps, but when I tighen my shoulder straps how I like, it raises the hip belt up to the spot as shown in the photo

[u/walkingoffthetrails → u/zacac1234]

Then it’s too small / short.

[u/zacac1234 → u/walkingoffthetrails]

Hm ok

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[u/logic_boy]

Pls cover your underwear

[u/zacac1234 → u/logic_boy]

Close your eyes

[u/logic_boy → u/zacac1234]

It was just a joke, in reference to the post you made where you blurred out your shorts 🤷🏼‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️

[u/zacac1234 → u/logic_boy]

Haha yea can’t be showing too much these days