How to choose a backpack for hiking

The most comfortable backpack is the one that fits best. To find out what size backpack to choose, you need to measure the length of your back.

How to determine the length of the back?

This one will require a soft tape measure and the help of a friend.

From the 7th vertebra (that's the one that sticks out a little) to the top of the hip bone.

In this way, you will find out the approximate back size, according to which you should choose a backpack.

Measuring a hiking backpack

Before measuring, a weight of 4.5 - 9 kg should be placed in the backpack.

Tightening the backpack straps:

1. the hip belt must be tightened first. The lap belt should rest on the hips so that the upper edge of the lap belt is 2.5 cm above the hip bone. The hip strap should be connected quite tightly so that the backpack does not slide down under the weight.

2. the shoulder straps must be tightened. The shoulder straps should be tightened so that they meet the top of the shoulders so that there is no gap between the shoulders and the shoulder strap, but the shoulder strap starts about 8 cm below the top of the shoulder.

If the shoulder strap starts below 8 cm, choose a backpack with a larger back size.

3. the chest strap connecting the shoulder straps should be closed (quite loosely so that the shoulders do not move away).

4. tighten the backpack fasteners at the top so that the center of gravity is closer to the back, but not too tight and does not put a strain on the shoulders. (they prevent the bag from pulling backwards, ensuring a correct center of gravity)

Proper weight placement in a hiking backpack

1. The weight in the backpack should be placed so that the heaviest things are closest to the back, in the middle of the backpack , not at the bottom.

2. All external straps holding the contents of the backpack in place must be tightened.

3. When carrying a backpack, most of the weight (60-70%) should be on the hips, not on the shoulders.

During the hike, the backpack straps readjust to diversify the load, transfer the weight more to the hips, less to the shoulders, or vice versa.

Make carrying a backpack comfortable!