Article
A poorly adjusted trekking backpack is often the cause of pain and tension while carrying it. With the right adjustments, you can significantly improve comfort and stability.
What do you need?
1. Load it with a realistic weight
Fill the backpack with a realistic load for testing. Loosen all the straps before putting it on.
2. Position the hip belt correctly
Place the hip wings around your hips so they cover the pelvic bones, then close the hip belt. Make sure it sits neither too high nor too low to avoid chafing or discomfort.
3. Adjust the shoulder straps
Tighten the shoulder straps slightly so that most of the load is carried by the hip belt. The straps' attachment points should sit between your shoulder blades, with the padding fully wrapping around your shoulders.
4. Choose the correct back length
Choose the right back length for optimal freedom of movement and to relieve strain on your neck muscles.
5. Close the chest strap
Position and close the chest strap at a comfortable height without restricting your breathing. This stabilizes the shoulder straps.
6. Adjust the stabilizer straps
Tighten the stabilizer straps on the hip belt and shoulder straps for more control. Loosen them for better mobility and ventilation on easy terrain.
7. Adjust the load during long tours
On long tours, shift the load distribution between your hips and shoulders to avoid overloading either area.
