Walked a training walk in my loaded pack earlier this week (first ever multi day trip coming up), terrible hip pain (think it was in the IT band). Watched this video then adjusted my pack properly - feels like my pack is literally kilos lighter, way more comfortable, no pain. Thank you.
You are the best at explaining everything like a actual teacher. Thumbs up for me. I've watched lots of how to fit a backpack and they never simplified it for a newer backpacker.
This was very helpful (even though I've been thru-hiking for 7 years now!). I got a new pack recently and it just wasn't fitting right. Thank you so much - it feels great now! -- Chica
Excellent video. Just picked up my first 'proper' hiking backpack. A Talon 22 Osprey which I specifically bought to take some weight off my back as I was using an old laptop backpack. Super comfy now I've fitted it.
Very helpful, made me realise I've been wearing my rucksack incorrectly, hopefully now on my next trip I'll be abit more comfortable.. Thanks for the advice 👍
thank you so so much!! i just bought my first proper hiking backpack (i usually use whatever snazzy one i have on hand!) and i was so close to returning it because it fit so poorly no matter what i tried! went through this vid step by step and its perfect now!
Hello. Thank you for making this video it is far more helpful then other videos I’ve seen. My pack is adjustable for back length as well as the ability to create more or less space between the pack and frame and the tensioned back mesh. My question is you showed what a top large pack looks like but what does a too small back length look like ?
Those are nice tips and I have a backpack which I am filling with the items I need and keep the heaviest items on the lower part of the pack, and I know how it will fit when put on because I tried it out in advance. Thanks for sharing those tips with all of us and I wish you a Very Merry Christmas.
I dont understand this torso measuring theory with C7. because that is actually not C7. although it says so everywhere in the backpacking world. i am a doctor and i got super confused when i first wanted to buy a backpack for backpacking a while ago. the C7 vertebra is the first one you feel coming down from your head. you feel it best when tilting your head back. it is at least 3 inches higher than the point you would measure your torso length from. I have literally no idea which vertebra everyone is really referring to as i can feel each of my vertebrae in that section of my back when tilting my head forwards. there is no anatomical bump that everybody has. i wonder who started the C7 story and how it got to every backpack company's website without anybody ever correcting it.
Simplest and clearest way on how to Properly wear (any) backpack. You feel the difference in how it feels and carries instantaneously! 😁 Great instructional video.
Great video very helpful. I do so love Osprey bags but the only thing that disappoints me is that they don't come with a method of fastening down all the loose straps!
Thank you for this video. I'm still learning and will get a bag similar to this one soon. Question: should I adjust the bag while empty, full or it doesn't really matter?
This was most helpful! I needed a reminder as to the order of tightening up straps. And other videos didn't show how the top of the pack is at shoulder blade. Thank you
Not quite; the Hikelite's hipbelt isn't designed to take the weight of the bag, it's there for stability and to stop the pack bouncing around during movement, so you won't have to follow exactly the same steps as above. You can use the Hikelite with or without the hipbelt without any issues; the weight the bag is designed to carry won't harm your shoulders. Kind regards.
This is super helpful. Thank you for making the video, really enjoyed watching it :) And now that explains why packs are more expensive than other regular bags
Great video -- what a lovely bubbly character you are. Thanks for the guide ... it's often something that isn't picked up on so much but I think will have a huge difference to the pain I tend to get in my neck and shoulders!
Very helpful video, I just got a Berghaus Trailhead 2.0 65L because although I'm tallish at 5'11" I have very short legs and needed a pack with a lot of back length. This was really helpful to get it all comfortable, walked about 12km today and no aches and pains from the pack.
Hi, not wanting to be controversial but I always believed one should get the heavy items in your rucksack as high and close to your spine as possible up in the shoulder region, any weight lower down can put a strain on your lower back and make you bend forward to compensate. As the lady said the spine carries the weight. There are pictures of African women carrying loads on their heads, weight straight down the spine, impractical on the mountain but a high load is the next best thing. Thanks.
Most modern rucksacks are designed to transfer 70%(approx) of weight through the hipbelt, so typically we recommend storing items as low and as close to your spine as possible - this'll transfer the weight through the large padded belt rather than through the shoulder straps which can pull you back and put strain on your traps/rear delts. The use of compression straps also helps to pull the weight of your pack closer to your centre of gravity for a more comfortable carry. At the end of the day though, it's worth having a play around with it and seeing what feels more comfortable for you and your chosen pack. Harry
Does the Osprey not have hip stabilizer straps? I've found that many people tend to over tighten their shoulder straps and it ends up digging in. A trick I learned is that after tightening the shoulder straps down, shrug your shoulders up and release the tension on the strap to match the shrugging motion.
Very interesting tutorial. I will return in the coming days to see if this will apply to an army rucksack (A large MOLLE rucksack, NSN 8465-01-580-1556). My new leadership wants to do a ruck march almost weekly, so I need to optimize wherever possible. Boots are already on the go, checking the rigging of my ruck is next. I will make an edit once the change has been made and a test march has been completed for assessment. I will take notes as I work on this. "The difference between doing science and screwing around is writing it down." - Adam Savage
Still not sure of hip belt. Should the bottom of the hip belt sit on the top of the hip bone ? Or should the the middle of the hip belt sit on the top of the hip bone?
It's largely trial and error. Try a few different placements and see how you go. I prefer to have my hipbelt centred around my hip bone as the hipbelt on my Fjallraven pack has a 'slit' cut out for this purpose.
I wouldn't put the heavier stuff all the way down in your bag. Ofc as close as possible to your back. But the heavier the load down, the more you feel the weight shift backward.
This is so so helpful! I’m 5’3 so I feel like I can finally relate to a woman. Too many guys videos out there and I was so confused regarding what backpack to get. I ended up buying 3 wrong ones. I really wanted an Osprey Kyte but I was doubtful without trying it myself because the country I am in doesn’t sell it but hopefully next year. Thank you for making this. It kinda makes me feel more confident now that I see a woman with a similar height! It’s also funny how even this is the exact bag I was planning to buy.
Um... Wow! Turns out I've been wearing my bag incorrectly for years! I didn't even know I could adjust the back length! I'm not dreading shoulder pain now on my hike tomorrow... Thank you!
Which back pack would you recommend for grocery shopping I'm 5ft 3/4 and 70 yrs old .... my shoulders are just starting to get sore I've done my bkpk shopping for about 10yrs .... everyday but I'm retired now and maybe 3 times a week I shop
Amazing video, never know how much info & Technic are involved for fitting Backpack. Your video shows all what I needed, now I am kind of expert and can help other friend to do the same and they can enjoy their hiking without more pain on shoulders and back. I have one question? The diagram you have in your video shows the Hip belt is been located under ILIAC CREST, from the diagram you can see the above line of Hip belt is a bit lower than ILIAC CREST, but when you put your backpack you put you hip belt above the ILIAC CREST. Can you please confirm this. Tow years ago A car hit me on my left hip when I was walking with my dog and from then still I feel pain on my hip. I need to know when I have to line up the bottom of Hip belt with my ILIAC CREST. Again amazing video and many thanks in advance
Thank you for the kind words! In regard to where the hipbelt should fit, the top of the hipbelt should be lined up with your Iliac Crest, therefore the main bulk of the belt will be centred on your hips. This may cause some discomfort if you still feel pain in your hips, so we'd recommend choosing a pack with a soft, pliable hipbelt such as Lowe Alpine's Aeon range. All of the information above does have to be taken with a pinch of salt though, some users find their hipbelt more comfortable slightly higher up, some lower, some looser, tighter, etc. This video is a good starting point, but find out what works for you by experimenting.
@@trekitt Thanks again for reply and providing very good information in your comment. Just wanted to give you my feedback about mine (Ospery AG 50L - M size), if I put the top of the hipbelt about 1 inch above the iliac crest would be very comfortable for me". Thanks again
I've just used my osprey Aether Plus 85L for the first time, and I got friction burns on my hips. Is thus normal? Other than putting the heavy weights at the bottom, I don't know what I've done wrong.
11 months on house arrest hurry up 28th going on a 2 week state hike and camp trip be my first overnight hike cant wait, thanks for the tips love from van diemens land
Very useful and informative, however I have what might be a daft question. Could you clarify the positioning of the hip strap please. Does it sit on top of your hip so that the base of the strap pushes down on the hip bone or does it lie across the hip bone. I have a bag with an adjustable length but knowing exactly where the strap goes would be useful. Unfortunately your diagramme doesn't show the hip bone only the spine. Getting it wrong sounds like it would be uncomfortable to say the least. many thanks
The latter - across the hip bone. The hipbelt should be squeezing onto your hips, placing the weight through your legs and not through your shoulders/lower back. Harry
Hi, Thank you so much for the info! Question: I am 5’1, 108 lbs, have a new Gregory Amber 44L backpack that I’m trying to get the fit right. Seems what I am doing is i line with everything I’ve learned from others but for some reason it really strains my neck after only having it on for 15 minutes or so. Any suggestions on what I might look at to resolve my issue? Thanks so much!
If you feel the overall fit of the pack is right after following the video, next step would be to try loading the pack differently so the weight sits at a different point in the pack. Hopefully redistributing the weight will help relieve the strain on your neck. Do you currently walk with walking poles as well? If not, they may be worth considering to help spread the load out more, they will also help keep you more upright as we have a tendency to want to lean forward when wearing a heavier pack which can roll our shoulders forward, in-turn causing strain on our neck and shoulders.
@@trekitt Thanks so much! I will try redistributing the weight and see how that feels. Currently I have the heaviest items (clothing) in packing cubes in the center. Maybe heavier closer to bottom.
I disagree that the sternum strap is not load bearing. The minor, say 3-5 lbs of pressure that the shoulder straps load on your pecs can wear them out over time. I use the sternum strap to take that weigh off those muscles and transfer it to my sternum.
Its so well explained and simple to understand. I would appreciate if you can also add few videos on the detailing of packing rucksack (I know there are already many but you can explain it well)
