You’ve finally found the rucksack of your dreams. With all the bells and whistles, it looks great but why does it feel slightly off? That’s because you haven’t adjusted the backpack to fit your body. To ensure maximum comfort, the pack must be a perfect fit to your body. This means you need to take the time to try the pack on properly before you take it for a spin. In this guide, we tell you exactly how to adjust your pack so you can go for hikes without having to worry about back pain. From how to prepare your pack to stabilising the pack, here’s our step-by-step guide to adjusting a rucksack.
- Prepare the Rucksack by Loosening All the Straps
- Load the Rucksack
- Fasten the Hipbelt
- Adjust the Shoulder Straps
- Fasten the Chest Strap
- Tighten the Load Lifters
- Stabilise the Pack
- Why Adjusting Your Pack is Important
- Find the Right Pack for Your Needs with Mystery Ranch
1. Prepare the Rucksack by Loosening All the Straps
Before you can start adjusting the straps to fit your body, you should first start by loosening all the straps. This includes the shoulder straps, hipbelt, chest straps and any load lifters or compression straps. Once the pack is completely loose, it is ready to be loaded.
2. Load the Rucksack
You can now load the rucksack with all your hiking gear. If you haven’t bought the pack yet and you’re simply trying it on in the shop, why not go round the shop and find something to put inside the bag? This adds a little bit of weight to the pack so you can adjust the rucksack correctly.
3. Fasten the Hipbelt
With the pack loaded with some weight, you can now put the pack on. First things first, you want to fasten the hipbelt. This is because you want the weight of the pack to be evenly distributed between your pelvis, lower back and shoulders to avoid pain. Once the hipbelt is securely fastened, you can now adjust it by tightening it to fit. The hipbelt should lay just above your glutes. If you have any load lifters at the base of the hipbelt, you can also tighten these to add extra stability to the load.
4. Adjust the Shoulder Straps
With the hipbelt securely in place, it is now time to adjust the shoulder straps. Simply tighten the straps until you feel the weight become evenly distributed across your upper and lower back. If you find you cannot adjust the shoulder straps to fit comfortably, you should see if you can adjust the torso length of the pack.
A common feature of larger volume packs, adjusting the torso can allow for a better fit to your body. Be careful when modifying the length of the torso of the pack as you will need to ensure it is the perfect length. Too long and the shoulder straps won’t be able to lay on your shoulders leading to all the weight being on your hips. Too short and the weight will solely be on your shoulders. Take your time with this step and it can make all the difference when hiking with heavy gear.
5. Fasten the Chest Strap
You will find the chest strap located on the shoulder straps. This strap, also known as the sternum strap, connects the two shoulder straps together to provide some added stability. If needed, you can also adjust the height of these straps to ensure they are at the top of your chest. Once they are at the correct height, simply fasten them together and tighten until the pack is resting comfortably on your back. Remember not to tighten this strap too tight as you still want to be able to breathe easily.
6. Tighten the Load Lifters
With the main straps set in place, it is now time to tighten the load lifters if your backpack has them. The load lifters are two small straps at the very top of the shoulder straps that allow you to bring the pack closer to your body. You should adjust these straps until the bag rests comfortably on the top of your back.
Sometimes the load lifters can be hard to locate. If you believe the pack is supposed to come with load lifters but you cannot find them, you can easily take a look online for more information or ask a member of staff at the store for help.
7. Stabilise the Pack
Your pack should now rest comfortably on your body with the weight evenly distributed across your shoulders, lower back and hips. To finish off, you can now take off the pack and tweak the compression straps to ensure the contents of the bag stays in place. Remember not to over tighten the straps, however, as this can lead to your items being crushed. You simply want the items to not move around too much when you are out and about.
Why Adjusting Your Pack is Important
Adjusting your rucksack to fit your body properly is crucial to ensure your comfort during a long hike or other outdoor activities. Here are just some of the reasons why you should take the time to adjust your pack:
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Comfort: A well-fitted rucksack distributes the weight of the pack evenly across your body, reducing strain and discomfort during long hikes.
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Injury Prevention: Especially when you are out for long periods of time, an improper fit can lead to back pain, shoulder strain or even hip issues. Correct adjustment helps prevent these injuries.
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Improved Balance: A properly fitted pack should sit close to your body to improve your centre of gravity and stability on uneven terrain.
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Energy Efficiency: You will use less energy on a hike when the weight of the pack is evenly distributed, allowing you to hike longer with less fatigue.
- Better Posture: A well-adjusted rucksack encourages proper posture, reducing the risk of long-term back problems.
Find the Right Pack for Your Needs with Mystery Ranch
Choosing the right pack for your needs is the first step to comfort. Whether you love a hike or going backpacking, at Mystery Ranch, we have a pack for you. Equipped with sturdy hipbelts, cushioned shoulder straps and handy load lifters, our range of packs are the go-to for any occasion. If you are preparing for your next adventure, choose from our Backpacking or Hiking packs to maximise your comfort whilst out and about.
FAQs
Is it better to wear a backpack high or low?
It is best to wear a backpack high and close to your body. This ensures the weight of the pack can rest on your hips as well as your shoulders, evenly distributing the weight. A pack closer to your body will also place your centre of gravity towards the middle of your body keeping you balanced whilst on your walks.
Is it better to wear a backpack in the front or back?
Although some prefer to wear a backpack in the front for convenience, it can be uncomfortable, especially if you are carrying a lot of weight. Wearing your pack in the back allows you to evenly distribute the weight of the pack between your shoulders, back and hips making for a more comfortable but also stable experience.
How long should a backpack last?
A high quality pack should last for many years but this does depend on what you intend to do with it. Wear and tear is a big factor in the durability of a hiking or backpacking pack as you will be outdoors where anything can happen. At Mystery Ranch, our packs are designed with the outdoors in mind. From harsh weather conditions to unexpected obstacles, we have thought of everything when it comes to making our packs last. Take a look at our range of packs today for a pack that will be with you for many trips to come.
