The 'short' size's torso length ranges from 14" to 18". The Regular size is from 18" to 22". The other critical consideration are waistbelt size and shoulder strap size. The best way to find this information is going to www.granitegear.com and clicking on the Nimbus Meridian Ki link. This will give all the sizes of waistbelts and shoulder straps. One thing to note is the women's waistbelt is curved inward to more closely resemble the angle of women's hips. This is good because more of the belt will contact the hips creating less pressure points. It will also help the pack from sliding down which puts more pressure on the shoulder straps. If fitted right, you won't find a more comfortable, durable, and lightweight pack available from anyone!

You should also check out the sponsored athlete section within Granite Gear's website (look at the very bottom). Here you will read about Justin Lichter who hiked 10,000 miles in one year using one pack, the Nimbus Meridian. It's the only pack every made to make this claim. The only issue Justin had with the pack was a couple of small holes chewed through by some mice. He had no issues with seams, zippers, webbing, or buckles. The foam was even in pretty good shape at the end. This is a really nice pack!

Probably not. bc.com sell only mfg. stock items. Try this website:http://www.mchalepacks.com/index.htmActually, Granite Gear is one of the easiest companies to work with in terms of swapping out shoulder straps and harnesses. If backcountry.com doesn't have the right size, you can contact Granite Gear direct at http://granitegear.com/support/contactus.html. On this site they have a form you can fill out of what you need. You simply send the components you don't want back (the address is on this site as well) and they will send you the right sizes.

Yes as long as it's a very compressible, summer weight, down bag. This would still be a tight fit.

You can customize this pack anyway you want & adding additional straps to carry a skateboard is certainly an option by adding flat webbing, buckles, & or bungee cords. You can also choose another pack which would already be specially designed for a skateboard.