To cut straps or not to cut them!

[Poromenos]

So I've been using a pack with waist straps for a few months and I love the pack itself. However I hate the waist straps! Also, because of the waist straps I cannot carry my knife on my belt while hiking/backpacking. Just curious if anyone has had the same problem/issue and whether or not anyone has cut the waist straps and if so any feedback is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[jds1]

Use some zip ties or something similar to keep them out of the way. You may want them at a later date.

Jeff

 

[Codger_64]

So I've been using a pack with waist straps for a few months and I love the pack itself. However I hate the waist straps! Also, because of the waist straps I cannot carry my knife on my belt while hiking/backpacking. Just curious if anyone has had the same problem/issue and whether or not anyone has cut the waist straps and if so any feedback is appreciated. Thanks.

Not I but... I might suggest that you wrap the waist belt backwards around the pack and try it that way before you cut it off. You may decide that in some future cirmstances you need/want it. And of course you will destroy the resale value if that is any concern.

 

[Bob W]

I've never done it but I can see the point. Some waist straps aren't worth a crap anyway.

I can think of a couple reasons to not do it, but the main one for me would be a more unstable load when hiking in rough country. Also, instead of having weight transferred to you hips, it's now going to be 100% hanging from your shoulders.

 

[Poromenos]

Thanks for the feedback, as stupid as it sounds I've never considered snapping them back. In response to your comment Bob, the waist straps on this are fairly useless. I've hoked several times with the straps unbuckled without issue. However I am hesitant to cut them only because I've never used this one for multi-day trips with it loaded to capacity, so ill have to see.

 

[sideways]

If the straps can transfer weight to the hips they are good to have. If they are just a 1 inch wide strip of nylon around your belly they aren't.

vs

 

[powernoodle]

I own 9 zillion Maxpedition packs, and cut the excess straps off of every one of them. Also the compression straps. Then melt the ends so they don't unravel. So yeah, if you are sure you will never used them, then lose them. Show your pack who the boss is!

 

[Shotgun]

Depends. If the weight of my pack is low like on a dayhike I don't use waist straps. A sternum strap is really key on a light pack for me. The waist belt is just a useless pain to deal with and really doesn't do much for me when the pack weight is low.

 

[sideways]

Agreed, if you are carrying heavy weights a good hipbelt will take the majority of the load off your shoulders. Totally worth having.

 

[mete]

Cut off the dumb 1" straps and replace with 2" or 2.5" and things will be much more effective.