5 Steps to Finding the Perfect Backpacking Backpack #OutdoorGear #Hiking #Tips #Outdoors #howto, by Coach - Marion Outdoors on YouTube. 1 min.
- Video length
- 1 min
- Time to do it
- 1 to 2 hours
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Measure your torso length. Ask a friend to run a tape from the bony bump at the base of your neck down to the top of your hip bones. Write the number down.
Match that torso length to the pack's size chart. Torso length matters more than your height, so ignore the small, medium and large labels until you check the chart.
Decide the pack volume from your trip length. Around 30 to 45 litres suits overnight trips, and 50 to 65 litres suits multi day trips with food and a tent.
Load the pack with about the weight you will really carry, then put it on. Adjust the hip belt first so it sits on your hip bones and carries most of the load.
Tighten the shoulder straps, then the load lifters at the top, then the sternum strap. The pack should feel stable when you twist and bend.
Walk around the shop for 10 to 15 minutes with the loaded pack. Check for rubbing on your shoulders, hips or lower back before you buy.
Give your body time to adapt to a new pack. Start with short, light walks and build up, since a new fit can feel odd for the first few trips.
Tips and common mistakes
Measure torso length twice, because a wrong number leads to a pack that rides too high or too low.
Bring your own gear or weights to the shop so the test load matches your real trip.
Check that the hip belt pads wrap fully around your hip bones, not your waist.
Buy from a shop with a return policy so you can test the pack on a real walk.
Questions
Does my height decide my backpack size?
No. Torso length decides the frame size, and your height only gives a rough starting point. Always measure your torso and check the pack's size chart.
How heavy should a loaded test pack be?
Use roughly the weight of your full kit, often 10 to 15 kg for a multi day trip. A pack that feels fine empty can hurt once it is loaded.
How long until a new pack feels comfortable?
It can take several trips for your body to adapt. Start with short walks and adjust the straps each time before you blame the pack.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
