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Imported.
Item 764283
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Displaying reviews 1-2
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Osprey BioForm CM A/X Hipbelt:
I tend to pack heavier than I know I should (not sure that counts as "Comfort Driven") so I'm frequently lugging one of the heavier packs on our hiking/camping trips. I got this belt last year (as a gift) to go with my Osprey Argon 70 pack and I could not be happier with it. First, I love my Argon pack on its own but this belt made it that much more comfortable and easier to use. Granted it adds to the bulkiness but that's a welcome trade-off for the added comfort and utility.
If you don't put in any serious miles or don't use a heavy pack, I'd skip this belt. But if you're like me and go on longer trips (weekends +) or pack a bit heavier than you should, this is worth the price.
Two quick notes:
1) since I received as a gift, I did not get this custom "fitted" (molded actually) before my first use. It works great "out of the box" and performed just fine. But, post-molding, it's even better and feels like I've had it for years (I look forward to strapping it on every time).
2) I'm a bigger guy (6'3", 275lbs w/ a 40/42" waist) and I got the Large size and it fits well. In theory I should have gotten the XL, but have been quite happy with this Large.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Osprey BioForm CM A/X Hipbelt:
I picked one of these up for my Aether 70 because the IsoForm belt just didn't feel right. The IsoForm is a great setup, but I just don't have a lot of confidence in it. I know that Osprey makes great products and have a lifetime warranty (under most conditions of normal use), but the belt just felt like it wasn't up to the task of the upper limits the Aether is designed for.
Purely an emotional and tactile buy, this belt was totally worth the extra money. Right out of the box, it fit like a dream and made my pack feel ten pounds lighter. I'm not a load-monster: a ten-day pack of mine weighs about 50lb with a full load of water (6L). This belt is a little heavier and bulkier, but it is totally worth it. An extra three ounces for what feels like ten pounds less of a load? Good trade in my book.
The custom fitting isn't just a gimmick: it's awesome! I did a three day 50 mile trip before having it molded. I did that same hike after having it molded and while the difference doesn't seem like much in the store, it really adds up with the miles.
The bad thing is a gripe with the overall design mentality of Osprey, not this product. For as modular and absolutely wonderful their products are, they don't offer a way to fasten pouches to their hip belts. The webbing that loads the hips and secures the belt provides a little room to lash on my compass/nav package, but I'd like a way to put a camera pouch in a more accessible location that in the top pouch of the pack. As much as I enjoy getting pelted by my stove when I go to pull my camera out, I think it would be easily avoided by, I don't know, an extra six-inch strip of webbing over the very good structural reinforcement.
Call me crazy.
Displaying reviews 1-2
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