Been looking for advice all over the internet for a larger guy wearing hiking backpacks. This video was exactly what I needed! Thank you!

Love the message of acceptance & encouragement. The Camino is for ALL ABILITIES. People assume that being overweight cannot participate in physical activity because of the excess weight. There was another Camino video posted that was very ‘fat shaming” in my opinion, with much judgement. It really irked me. I didn’t comment because I do not have the energy to try to deal with the rude, judgy comments. Obesity is a very complex metabolic process. It is not as simple as eat less move more. I am overweight, have been most of my life, very active and I hike 20-25km. I would even say I am more fit than my 120 lb friend who is severely nutritionally deficient, but “THIN”. Society would look at us both and assume she is more capable because of her body size. Not the case AT ALL. So good on you for putting out a very different narrative on walking “THE CAMINO”.

Thanks for the video. I'm a large woman who is just learning about hiking and my goal is to backpack. I so appreciate the openness about overweight bodies and how to help be safe, happy, and successful with them on trail. Ty

This is a great video and great message! Get that pack in the right place for you and use those poles! Thanks for sharing!

i watched and liked ALL of your videos 🥰

This was a very interesting video I stumbled upon. You've sparked my curiosity about Camino de Santiago! I just subbed & excited to learn more about this pilgrimage! I see an IU shirt...I live in Dayton, OH!

This was great. The good news is some major backpack companies are starting be inclusive...ie they are making plus size versions of some of their packs. Gregory was the first I think, Osprey is doing it now too. Even better they aren't charging a premium price for them. I got an Osprey Tempast - Extended fit. It fits beautifully. ( the way your photo of the fit person with the pack on) The waist belt is extended, the waist belt pockets are larger and sit further out front.

Excellent video great content. This is a wonderful video. Im almost 50 and 5'7" about 290 and i want to get into hiking and backpacking. I used to hunt fish in my younger days i still love the outdoors. This is very encouraging. Im in Arkansas and i plan on setting out on some of the trails marked easy. Until i get in better shape. Anyways thanks for the info and encouragement.

You're a realist. Thanks. Regards

One thing I would suggest about your pack is never be afraid to make modifications to the straps. I am a former football player from Tennessee and have very broad shoulders and a big belly of course, so the chest and belly straps were not long enough, so even though it can void a warranty, I had wider and longer belt material sew on at an alteration shop to conform to my fit.

Thank you for sharing this topic! I am considering buying my dad a backpack but I am afraid he would be uncomfortable with the hip belt and end up not using it.

im french sorry for my "frenglish" but really great thanks in france alls videos are without overweight.... as if france population is ......slim ...butis no the reality so more tanks

Great video!! We get left out on these youtube videos. Thanks again!

Thank you so much for this video. I am so worried about those first few days to Orisson (I hope I can get a reservation there in 2022) and Roncesvalles (I'm not doing it all in one day), so just knowing that others have done it makes me feel better for sure. Thank you. Also, Gregory Packs just came out with plus size packs that have new sizing 2x to 6x. They have day packs and thru-hiking packs as well. I haven't looked into them yet, because I'm pretty happy with my REI pack, BUT...just an option if others are interested. Anyway, thanks again.

Thanks for the video! I find my biggest issue is the shoulder straps pinching in the armpit/side of breast area. I like the idea of changing the straps to longer ones to see if that helps. If anyone has tips feel free to reply!

I appreciate this video. I want to wear a man bag with confidence, but I can't.

Great video people forget that things are harder for overweight individuals

What is also annoying is that those waist straps are often incredibly short and I cannot event fit them around my belly.

Great!!! Tks!!! I can do it. Keep doubting myself. But I can do it! Tks!!!

I've been wanting to use a tumpline to see how it works. But I just use my shoulders at 300lb guy that doesn't go far with a 50 lb framless pack. Would like to see how I do compared to other big guys. Anyone for a hike im in ohio

Don't apply a tourniquet around your waste. Fluffy people don't have wastes, so waste belts don't work very much. You are transferring the load to your guts. Hip belts are supposed to transfer the load to your pelvis. Accept that fluffy geometry means a backpack load will primarily rest on the shoulders. Ultralight gear is the best way to go. Try to keep your backpack below 20 pounds total to lessen the load on your spine and loosen that belt. Another option is to go with alternatives to backpacks. You don't have to concentrate your entire load out into a backpack. I know that's the norm, but take advantage of your girth and large surface area and spread the load over your entire body. Get some overalls with big pockets everywhere you can load with gear and you won't have to worry about the weight pulling your pants down. Put soft things like ponchos, hats, clothes, gloves, or a pillow in the leg pockets so you don't have hard things banging you in the legs when you're hiking. Put hard items in the hip and chest pockets. Get a load bearing vest like the military uses. You can pick them up used for $20. Its basically a padded molly 6" wide waste belt with mesh connecting thin wide heavy duty material that goes over your shoulders and adjustable straps down your back. The circumference adjusts quite large, maybe 55". Then you have a waist belt that actually goes around a fluffy person with the bottom even with the belly button. Adjust it so it is a snug vest but not squeezing the snot out of you. Get molly pouches (large ones are called sustainment pouches). Attach a couple of pouches on your side for food, clothes, cookware , fuel. Attach a couple of water bottle pouches on you belly. Now your using your guts to carry a load without cinching a 2" strap tightly around. Your stomach and love handles carry the load and the shoulders of the vest keep it from sliding down over time. Then get a small backpack without a waste belt. Put just a sleeping bag and an inflatable pad in the bag and strap your tent to the bottom on the outside. That will weigh less than 10 pounds. No problem for a backpack with no waist belt. Traditional backpacks just don't function well if you don't have a waist.

Hi I’m a 22 yr old female with 90 kg weight and a height of 160 cm , I wanted to go for easy to moderate trek ( elevation is 12,500 ft) in late December (winter cold) I wanted to know if it’s good decision to for trek ?? I really want to get this experience but I don’t see much info on internet regarding the same and I would be glad if you could help out

Is there a difference in pack fit for an overweight woman, considering there is a difference in body build?

Im struggling with the fit but not because of belly, becase of overly large chest. WHAT do we do about that ???!! Ugh.

Keep going man . Use heavyweight backpack , go multi days trips and cut calorie gaining in the wilderness by meals. You have the will 👊

Your hip belt is too high.