The most appealing aspect of load lifters really applies to the manufacturers that use them. Load lifters allow a company to produce a one-size-fits-all pack leaving the job of individual adjustment to the extra load lifter system. We like to avoid “extras.”
Load lifters can also provide a false sense of comfort on backs and shoulders when a pack is too heavy, masking the toll the weight takes on other parts of the body. Without them, users will feel a heightened awareness of how much they're carrying. This is not a devious trick. We encourage a reexamination of equipment, use of products that achieve multiple tasks and get the job done with less overall weight, thoughtful distribution and compartmentalization of gear within the pack, and, as evidenced by our builds in different torso sizes, hiking with a pack that rides correctly for a more organic and comfortable fit.