Bushwalk Australia

I've never had frictions burns before, but since I've been using a bigger daypack (Osprey Stratos 34 L) I have had bad friction burns where the belt and straps are, meaning at the low part of my back, and under my armpits, both on the arms and the torso. I've also noticed a lot more friction burns on other more sensitive areas using merino undies than cotton ones... Any advice on preventing all of these ?

Vaseline?

Sounds like you need to experiment with your pack settings to move the straps to a more comfortable position

Hallu wrote: I've also noticed a lot more friction burns on other more sensitive areas using merino..

Strider wrote:Vaseline?

I'm sure a Kiwi would be an expert on this matter

Well the problem is right below the hip belt on my back and it cannot be moved up or down, just being tightened more or less. I'll try anti-chafing products but it seems merino clothing is worsening the problem (when wet because of rain or sweat), which I've never seen mentioned before. I'll try and switch to the smelly polyester...

Is the Stratos not adjustable for back length?

3B cream could help, but it sounds like your pack just doesn't fit you.

i've come across comments about osprey packs causing chafing and damage to clothes because they use a coarse mesh on the inside of the straps and or belt on some of their range, otherwise i'd suspect bad design fit, they design according to concept, it a paack that vents well on the straps with the coarse mesh, but in practice it doesnt work well, it, the abrasion it can cause....

I think the coarse material + wet merino + 7 kilos of water and clothing on a 7h hike made this... I'll try it again by using bodyglide and moleskin, see what happens, if it doesn't solve anything I'll have to change packs...

If the coarse mesh is the problem, can you line the straps (securely) with some more skin friendly lining?

I have the same pack for daywalks and also wear a merino shirt (Rab meco 120 or a smartwool 150wt).
Never had an issue yet with chaffing from the pack. I'd guess it's a fit issue possibly. Try some body glide, Seams to work well on other area's I get chaffed.
The mesh on the osprey's I find non abrasive.
I do 24hr rogaines and the pack is on all but most of the event too, But I wear a nylon bush shirt for those.

I had a different small framed mesh back style pack that used to rub me raw on the lower back in a rogaine over time.
As I found out it was too short for me.

forest wrote:The mesh on the osprey's I find non abrasive.

I've only done two walks thus far with my Osprey Talon, but I agree on this point.

Yeah after some thinking I think the main problem is wet merino, either from sweat or rain. I'll experiment with some polyester blends from Patagonia, Arc'Teryx and Outdoor Research (one of each) and see what happens. Smelling bad is better than having friction burns.

Well after 11 days in Tassie, hiking every day, Arc'teryx Men's Phase SL boxer shorts are my new choice. Very comfortable and stays in place. I tried the Icebreaker Anatomia again a couple of times, chafing was present after only 2 hours. So it wasn't the pack after all (I tried a smaller different one). I also tried different types of polyester shirts, and the best by far (and the cheapest actually) was the Outdoor Research Men's Sequence Duo Tee. It's 20 % wool and 80 % polyester, almost feels like merino on the skin, and doesn't stink as much as the other pure polyester shirts (which were Patagonia, Salomon and another OR tee).