I have a love handle problem that’s only really a problem when I put in my pack. My pants start to sag almost immediately when hiking long distances. When they do, there’s a little gap between my shirt and my pants. The waist strap of my pack rubs my side handles raw.

I’ve compensated the last couple of years by wearing suspenders that keep my pants up high and my shirt stays tucked in. The extra bit of material seems to lessen the friction.

But I look ridiculous with suspenders and high waisted pants like an old man.

Is there some sort of waist belt (girdle) that anyone knows of? I’ve seen compression shirts online, but they don’t look like something I want to hike in for 100 miles.

Has anyone else dealt with this type of scenario?

This post was edited on 12/1/21 at 11:26 am

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Posted by Salmon

I helped draft the email

Member since Feb 2008

86119 posts

Posted on 12/1/21 at 11:29 am to alajones

lower your pack to where the waist straps fit directly around your belt?

seems like you are wearing your pack too high, no?

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Posted by jimbeam

University of LSU

Member since Oct 2011

75703 posts

Posted on 12/1/21 at 12:32 pm to alajones

Wear your pack lower

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Posted by brmark70816

Atlanta, GA

Member since Feb 2011

11375 posts

Posted on 12/1/21 at 2:43 pm to alajones

I wear a sleveless compression shirt. It goes way past my pants line and I tuck it in. Doesn't really constrict me or anything. Almost like a girdle in a way. I am only hiking 6-12 miles a day though.

quote:
but they don’t look like something I want to hike in for 100 miles.

Is that in a week? Maybe a long weekend?

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Posted by Tiger in Gatorland

Moonshine Holler

Member since Sep 2006

9542 posts

Posted on 12/1/21 at 6:24 pm to alajones

Wearing a belt to keep your pants up doesn't help? Or a longer t-shirt to cover that area.

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Posted by Mizooag94

Hillbillyville, MO

Member since Sep 2018

1641 posts

Posted on 12/2/21 at 6:52 am to alajones

Lose the love handles?

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Posted by Jim Rockford

Member since May 2011

105259 posts

Posted on 12/2/21 at 1:07 pm to alajones

You're wearing your pack too high. The belt is supposed to sit just below waist level, transferring the load directly to your hips. In fact it's called a hip band. Source: the guy at Pack & Paddle in Lafayette who spent most of one Saturday adjusting my new pack so it fit just right.

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Posted by alajones

Huntsvegas

Member since Oct 2005

35917 posts

Posted on 12/2/21 at 3:52 pm to Jim Rockford

I had the folks at REI for it for me. But, I could take another gander at it.

quote:
Wearing a belt to keep your pants up doesn't help? Or a longer t-shirt to cover that area.

I already do that. I wear suspenders to hold them up. I don’t like the look.

quote:
Sleeveless compression shirt

Sounds promising

quote:
Lose the love handles.

This post was edited on 12/2/21 at 3:55 pm

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Posted by haroldoftherocks

3rd stone from the sun

Member since Oct 2017

630 posts

Posted on 12/2/21 at 8:48 pm to alajones

agree with the above comments, you're likely wearing your hip belt too high. also consider something like black diamond's ErgoActive hip belt. mounted on a pivot so the pack stays stable as your hips move. The shoulder straps work in a similar fashion, raising and lowering as you move. game changer

LINK

This post was edited on 12/2/21 at 8:50 pm

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Posted by Jcorye1

Tom Brady = GoAT

Member since Dec 2007

76373 posts

Posted on 12/3/21 at 1:32 pm to Salmon