Taking the proper fitting of your backpack for granted is never a good idea. The backpack is what you carry for the longest time during the hiking trip and if it is not perfectly fitted then it would lead to an uncomfortable trip altogether. An appropriately fitted and balanced rucksack will keep you moving serenely even with a substantial amount of burden. It doesn't matter whether you are going on a day hike or weekend backpacking trip, you must know all the proper adjustments to make the weight of your backpack properly distributed so that it is easy to carry for a long time. Follow this guide to know the correct way to adjust your backpack and enjoy a comfortable hike regardless of the amount of weight you need to carry.

Here is the step by step guide to adjusting your backpack for the ideal fit.

  • First, load your backpack with some weight so that you have the basic idea of how it will feel when it is loaded with weights. After this, put the backpack on with all its straps loose.
  • Now, you have to tighten the hip belt but before that make sure that the padded hipbelts are lying over the iliac crest or over the top of the hip bones. This will help in distributing the weight evenly and your back would not have to bear all the burden. Also, do not tighten the straps too tight as it will make the fitting too immobile.
  • Before tightening the shoulder straps you should know that your shoulder need not carry all the weight of the backpack. A too tight shoulder strap will concentrate all the weight on your shoulders so keep the straps a little loose so that most part of the weight falls over your hips.
  • Next step is to tighten the load lifter straps. These straps help in pulling the weight of the backpack closer to the body. Just make sure that you are pulling the load lifters in such a way that the straps are at an angle of 45 degrees with the backpack’s body.
  • In the fifth step, fasten the sternum strap. This strap is used to pull the shoulder straps together so that the strain due to weight of the backpack is reduced for your shoulders. The sternum straps should be kept approximately an inch down the collar bones.

Now, after tightening every strap you should try loosening the shoulder straps a little bit so that you can feel the weight is relieved from the shoulder and your hip is carrying the major part of the weight. The most common misconception about carrying the backpack is that people tend to think that it’s the shoulders that carry the major part of the weight whereas it’s the hips that should be carrying 60-70 per cent of the weight if fitted perfectly.

The whole idea of adjusting your backpack is to make it more comfortable to carry and not letting your shoulders do all the work. If you follow the method mentioned above, you will be able to carry your load more efficiently without putting too much stress on your shoulders or back. A well-adjusted backpack will distribute the load in such a way that your body won't feel much stress while carrying it.