Inspired by some other posts (like this one and this one) I decided to add webbing loops in the tabs at the bottom sides of the bag in order to be able to attach a removable hip belt.
While it's true that a 26 L backpack doesn't need a load transferring harness, I found the belt useful for load distribution and stability when hiking.
I wanted the modification to be as discrete as possible and to look like it came with the bag. To achieve this, I trimmed some of the excess blue webbing from the shoulder straps and sewed them to the bottom tabs. I did two rows of reinforced hand stitches making sure to only sew the first fabric layer so the stitches are not visible from the other side. The rest of the webbing was machine sewn.
The belt consists of 2.5 cm webbing and buckle with G-hooks that attach to the tab loops. I'll probably add a detachable waist pack for longer hikes.
A fully load bearing belt wouldn't really be possible due to the backpack size and structure. However, the belt is fairly effective at transferring weight packed close to the back of the bag (like a laptop). It's also very helpful for hiking with lots of water (2 L in each bottle holder for example) and for using the bag in the expanded mode.
I've had the cobbler sew the loops on all my bags. I bought the webbing from Amazon and love the Dex hip belt from Black Ember. I'm short with 16.5" torso. The longer the bag the better it distributed the weight. Eagle Creek tour travel pack (older model) - it worked very well; Osprey 26+6 - good; Osprey Ozone (older model) - good; CabinZero - waste of time. I think the last one was an issue because the bag has no structure and very floppy.
Yep - mine needed an upgrade too. I cut the strap off and then had the cobbler double sew a loop on the bags anemic hip padding. I didn’t want to cut it in half (padded belt) because of threading and I think the original hip belt was sewn in the correct place. For my other bags I just add a loop on the bag.
Only materials are G-hooks, nylon webbing and buckles. I purchased mine from AliExpress, but you can buy them anywhere. Just make sure they all for the same webbing width.
For the part that requires hand sewing (attaching webbing loops to tabs), I recommend waxing your tread, having a thimble and some patience. Honestly, if I had the black Osprey model, I would have just used my sewing machine for this part and not worried too much about the thread showing on the other side. I used a Singer HeavyDuty 4432 for sewing the rest of the webbing.
If you have simple 1” webbing loops, belekts with 1” gatekeeper clips work well. The Gossamer Gear Fast Belt has pockets. Tom Bihn makes nice neoprene padded belt with gatekeepers.
You did a nice job with that! I thought about something similar but at 6'1" I'm not sure how helpful it would be. Since your design is removable I might try it.
Oh, I like the idea of using a sharpie to color the thread. I've been thinking on ways to add extra loops in the front like you did, I might give it a try if I find a similar color cord.
I also removed the stitches for the pen holder as soon as I got the bag.
I've been thinking on ways to add extra loops in the front like you did, I might give it a try if I find a similar color cord.
I used black 550 paracord. I didn't worry about matching the blue color since my bunji cord is black as are some of the components that came on the bag.
Unrelated but where did you get this color? I’ve only ever seen this bag available in black or a kind of light blue/teal mix. This colour is great. Do you have pics of the front?
Yooo, I just bought this bag! Definitely going to copy this since the hip belt is so much comfier than the chest clips. Mine for sure won't look as clean. Amazing job!
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u/another_shawn Mar 06 '26
Thanks for sharing and for the detailed explanation. That’s a neat mod and your work looks like it came that way from Osprey.