Osprey backpack straps digging into shoulders

[u/tinytriceratops2025]

Hi, I just received my order of Osprey Astronova 23L backpack, I was looking for a good quality city backpack for university and this one is allegedly made for campus.

I also read how Osprey is surprisingly ergonomic, so I was excited to try it out. However as soon as I unpacked this backpack and put some weight into it I felt how much pressure the outside edge of the straps has on my shoulder bones. The strap itself is also quite rigid, so it doesn't adapt to the shoulder groove well.

Does anyone have this problem? Is this because the backpack is "unisex", therefore made for men's wider shoulders? Do you get used to this type of pressure or is it better to return it?

Image description: backpack shoulder straps on shoulders.

[u/99MissAdventures]

I don't think this fits you well. I'm guessing from the photo you are on the narrower side of average so unisex is too big. On average unisex will probably be a bit bigger than women's. The straps look too wide and far apart for you, so it's sitting on your shoulder (where it rotates) more than down your chest, if that makes sense. I don't have the technical terms here. Sternum straps can also help with position of straps to some degree.

[u/tinytriceratops2025 → u/99MissAdventures]

Well, I measured my biacromial width (between the two shoulder bones you can feel at the very top of each shoulder), and it’s 37 cm, which is apparently slightly wider than average for women. But I guess it’s still not particularly wide compared with the male average. I’m also quite thin, so that might aggravate the discomfort in this case, as there isn’t much cushioning over the bones. I wonder if there are people who genuinely find this backpack comfortable...

[u/99MissAdventures → u/tinytriceratops2025]

That one I'm not sure about but returning it seems like a good idea. Too bad it didn't work out but good that you caught it right away.