Osprey Tempest- what am I doing wrong?

[auburnfive]

I recently purchased an Osprey Tempest which has great back ventilation. However, no matter how I try to adjust it, the pads at the sides of the waist are irritating on my hip bones. It’s hard to imagine wearing it for long without a lot of rubbing and/ or blisters. Any suggestions?

 

[J Willhaus]

I had to get rid of my osprey for that very reason. It was never comfortable.

 

[Corned Beef]

Do you have it upside down?

 

[henrythedog]

I recently purchased an Osprey Tempest which has great back ventilation. However, no matter how I try to adjust it, the pads at the sides of the waist are irritating on my hip bones. It’s hard to imagine wearing it for long without a lot of rubbing and/ or blisters. Any suggestions?

It’s possible you’re wearing it a little too low. My Osprey ‘hip’ belts sit on what I still fondly remember as my waist.

If you have a search around on here @davebugg has posted (more than once!) an exhaustive guide to correctly fitting and adjusting rucksacks. If you follow his instructions and it still doesn’t work you might be better trying a different brand.

 

[Former member 49149]

Isn't he cute, henrythedog? He has a wonderful way of saying things - must be the doggy influence. He is dead right though. I add in this much: the people in the shop where I bought my very first backpack were ultra helpful when I went back to ask them to help adjust my replacement one, slightly more roomy, even though I had not bought it from them. I bought it online, but still from an independent seller. You could do likewise, outdoor specialist shop people are caring types, in my experience.

 

[C clearly]

Maybe you are not doing anything wrong, and the pack just isn't the right one for your body. However, it is worth trying to do all the adjustments to correct that problem before you reject the pack. (But if it continues to bother you at home, it will get worse on the Camino!)

Be sure to test the backpack wearing the clothes that you will wear on the Camino - it is important how the waist band fits on those particular pants/trousers, and whether you tuck your shirt inside or not.

@davebugg has posted (more than once!) an exhaustive guide to correctly fitting and adjusting rucksacks

There are a couple of backpack posts by @davebugg pinned to the top of the Equipment forum. Scroll down under the sub-forums and you will see them.

I had to get rid of my osprey

Osprey has a lot of models, and another one might suit you better.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I love my Osprey Ladies' Sirrus 36L. However, I do not love the little waist pockets. If I fill them too full, they rub on my arms while walking, so I put very little in them, such as chap stick and not much else.

 

[MikeyC]

Osprey has a detailed fitting guide and also an app for sizing.

Sizing & Fitting for Women | Osprey Technologies | Osprey Europe

www.ospreyeurope.com

 

[Rita Flower]

I recently purchased an Osprey Tempest which has great back ventilation. However, no matter how I try to adjust it, the pads at the sides of the waist are irritating on my hip bones. It’s hard to imagine wearing it for long without a lot of rubbing and/ or blisters. Any suggestions?

Recently I spent a delightful hour with 'Jack-in training' trying on all sorts of packs and none of them fitted correctly.
Jack then called a more experienced sales person who correctly fitted me into the very first pack I had tried. It went from feeling 'scrunchy' and uncomfortable to fitting like a glove.
Watch that video someone else has recommended. And if that fails return it and swap for something else. Hopefully your sales person will be able to help you get fitted properly.

 

[dbier]

For the OP...take it to an REI store or someplace with good backpack fitters, let them put a load in, and then demonstrate your issue. Can't tell from here if it behaves differently under load.

Out of curiosity, has anyone tried on an otherwise well-fitted pack where, under load, you can feel the pack shift up and down a little from the rise and fall of each glute in turn? Or am I just doomed to feeling my excess gifts in that area?

 

[Scott Sweeney]

I recently purchased an Osprey Tempest which has great back ventilation. However, no matter how I try to adjust it, the pads at the sides of the waist are irritating on my hip bones. It’s hard to imagine wearing it for long without a lot of rubbing and/ or blisters. Any suggestions?

Is this an ultra light pack. Lovey Osprey except the waist strap. I tried Velcro wraps to put around them with little success. I guess that's what you give up when you try to get less weight on a pack.

 

[NLS]

I recently purchased an Osprey Tempest which has great back ventilation. However, no matter how I try to adjust it, the pads at the sides of the waist are irritating on my hip bones. It’s hard to imagine wearing it for long without a lot of rubbing and/ or blisters. Any suggestions?

Maybe try adjusting the shoulder straps so it sits lower on your hips.

 

[kiwicat]

I recently purchased an Osprey Tempest which has great back ventilation. However, no matter how I try to adjust it, the pads at the sides of the waist are irritating on my hip bones. It’s hard to imagine wearing it for long without a lot of rubbing and/ or blisters. Any suggestions?

Have your pack refitted. Remember, the belt does not go around your waist per se, but should envelop your hips. I see so many women with belts way up high around their waists, which is not where you want your weight transferred to. with a properly fitted pack, your iliac crests should sit right in the middle of the hip belt, with 50% of the belt above that point and 50% of the belt below that point. Thus the weight is transferred through your hips. Also suggest you try another bard such as Gregory. Some brands and designs just don't work for some folk.

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

I recently purchased an Osprey Tempest which has great back ventilation. However, no matter how I try to adjust it, the pads at the sides of the waist are irritating on my hip bones. It’s hard to imagine wearing it for long without a lot of rubbing and/ or blisters. Any suggestions?

Hoping it was purchased from a store. Take it back, advising that you want to keep it but there is a problem. Explain the problem, see if there is a solution. If not, then the store has a perfectly good reason for a refund to you.

 

[darealdeal77]

My first question is: where did you buy it, and did you get fitted? Backpacks can cause more discomfort if the bag is not fitted for the right Torso size. If you purchased it over the internet, it could be the wrong size for you. Second: the hip pads are called that, but they actually rest on the top of your hip bone, and not on the sides. The trick is to put the bag on, bent over, tighten the waist band at the belly button, then correct all the other straps. Also, how do you have it loaded? heavy things should go to the back and center of the pack, never on top or bottom front. The top straps that control the weight bearing on shoulders shall be at 45° from the backpack to shoulder strap, and the chest strap just above the nipple line. If that doesn’t work, maybe you can try other brands, I have owned Osprey’s for over 30 years and never had an issue, but again I was always fitted at REI, and/or any other outdoor store. Good luck, and Buen Camino!

 

[LTfit]

I'm on my third Osprey, currently on the Norte using my Tempest 30 and love its light weight. The waste band is quite narrow compared to my other women's Osprey bag but find the hip pockets/band fit fine resting on my hips. It's maybe due to your torso proportions?

 

[Amused212]

I recently purchased an Osprey Tempest which has great back ventilation. However, no matter how I try to adjust it, the pads at the sides of the waist are irritating on my hip bones. It’s hard to imagine wearing it for long without a lot of rubbing and/ or blisters. Any suggestions?

Support and agree with everyone who talked about getting your pack properly fitted. I bought my Osprey 36L at REI. I am short, bought a small. Was lucky the Osprey rep was in the store and fitted it to me. I can comfortably carry 20 pounds (probably shouldn't) and be so comfortable that I forget I have a pack on. I am "one with my pack"! On the other hand, I bought a Gregory 24L for day use, the newbie in the store tried to fit it to me and he came close but it has never been quite right. Could be the Gregory just wasn't the pack for me.

 

[kiwicat]

My first question is: where did you buy it, and did you get fitted? Backpacks can cause more discomfort if the bag is not fitted for the right Torso size. If you purchased it over the internet, it could be the wrong size for you. Second: the hip pads are called that, but they actually rest on the top of your hip bone, and not on the sides. The trick is to put the bag on, bent over, tighten the waist band at the belly button, then correct all the other straps. Also, how do you have it loaded? heavy things should go to the back and center of the pack, never on top or bottom front. The top straps that control the weight bearing on shoulders shall be at 45° from the backpack to shoulder strap, and the chest strap just above the nipple line. If that doesn’t work, maybe you can try other brands, I have owned Osprey’s for over 30 years and never had an issue, but again I was always fitted at REI, and/or any other outdoor store. Good luck, and Buen Camino!

Sorry but hip belts do not go at belly button level on women. Weight is taken through hip belt at hip level not waist level and not through shoulders. Men have different skeletons so might be different. All a woman will get from having a waist belt around your belly button is indigestion.

 

[An Tincéir]

I recently purchased an Osprey Tempest which has great back ventilation. However, no matter how I try to adjust it, the pads at the sides of the waist are irritating on my hip bones. It’s hard to imagine wearing it for long without a lot of rubbing and/ or blisters. Any suggestions?

Go back to the shop and ask them to fit it properly

 

[howardd5]

I recently purchased an Osprey Tempest which has great back ventilation. However, no matter how I try to adjust it, the pads at the sides of the waist are irritating on my hip bones. It’s hard to imagine wearing it for long without a lot of rubbing and/ or blisters. Any suggestions?

The hip pads should be above your hip so you can carry the weight on your hips . I have my shoulder straps somewhat loose , it save your back

 

[Rita Flower]

My first question is: where did you buy it, and did you get fitted? Backpacks can cause more discomfort if the bag is not fitted for the right Torso size. If you purchased it over the internet, it could be the wrong size for you. Second: the hip pads are called that, but they actually rest on the top of your hip bone, and not on the sides. The trick is to put the bag on, bent over, tighten the waist band at the belly button, then correct all the other straps. Also, how do you have it loaded? heavy things should go to the back and center of the pack, never on top or bottom front. The top straps that control the weight bearing on shoulders shall be at 45° from the backpack to shoulder strap, and the chest strap just above the nipple line. If that doesn’t work, maybe you can try other brands, I have owned Osprey’s for over 30 years and never had an issue, but again I was always fitted at REI, and/or any other outdoor store. Good luck, and Buen Camino!

Sorry but I have to laugh at 'just above the nipple line'. Not all nipples sit in the same place throughout life.
Better description is half way down the breast bone. That at least stays in one place.

 

[trecile]

The hip pads should be above your hip so you can carry the weight on your hips .

For me, that means that the buckle of the belt is at my navel, and the weight transfers to my hips.

 

[jlamont808]

Maybe try adjusting the shoulder straps so it sits lower on your hips.

I used the same on on the Portuguese, worked perfect, I'm 5'1", 125#. Purchased from a local sporting goods store that bent over backwards to make sure I had the correct pack and fit. They did all sorts of adjustments, you might just need it adjusted by someone who knows what they're doing.

 

[Airfix]

If you decide to change brands try the Deuter Futura 26. My wife just couldn't get on with the Osprey and changed to the Deuter only a few days before her camino from SJPdP.
It fitted like a glove from day 1 and stil gives her no issues.

 

[VNwalking]

I love my Osprey, but have the same issue.
It was correctly fitted at REI, but I'm narrow-waisted and out-of-proportion broad in the hips. The pack could use more padding there, I think, for we of 'neolithic proportions.'

 

[auburnfive]

I tried adjusting the back to the last setting so the hip pads sit around my hips rather than resting on top of them and it feels much better, but based on the advice will go into the store. I. Thinking a thin layer of foam across the low back edge would increase comfort, so a few options to try.

 

[KerrySA]

It’s possible you’re wearing it a little too low. My Osprey ‘hip’ belts sit on what I still fondly remember as my waist.

If you have a search around on here @davebugg has posted (more than once!) an exhaustive guide to correctly fitting and adjusting rucksacks. If you follow his instructions and it still doesn’t work you might be better trying a different brand.

Lol. Mine was also on what was my waist 700+ kms no issues

 

[Rita Flower]

You might also need a completely different pack. I have an Osprey Sirius which I like but I think my old Deuter is actually more comfortable.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

You might also need a completely different pack. I have an Osprey Sirius which I like but I think my old Deuter is actually more comfortable.

I have an Osprey Sirrus 36L, women's specific. I am very fond of it, but it is a bit heavy.