How to Fit a Rucksack

Learn how to adjust your rucksack for the most comfortable fit.This can actually help prevent fatigue and injury. In this step by step video we will show you what the different straps on your bag do.
1.Loosen all straps on the rucksack. This will make it easier to tighten to the correct level later.

2. If the rucksack has a moveable ladder back then you will adjust this next.
a)To adjust this you will undo the Velcro tab (near the top of the rucksack between the shoulder straps with an arrows pointing up and down on it).In order to know if the back length is correct you will need to fasten the hip fin/strap. These must be in the correct place for the rucksack to fit properly.
b)This tab is passed through various loops which secure its position, by taking it out of these loops you can adjust the positioning of the shoulder straps thus altering the length of the rucksack back.
c)If you wish to extend the back length then you will move the tab to loops higher up and the reverse to shorten the back length.
d)This will be very much trial and error until you get the best fit.

3.In order to know if the back length is correct you will need to fasten the hip fin/strap. These must be in the correct place for the rucksack to fit properly.
a)For men the top of the hip fin/strap will sit in line with the top of the hip bone
b)For females the middle of the hip fin/strap will sit in line with the top of the hip

4.Once you have got the hip fin/strap in the correct place, tighten the straps to secure the rucksack comfortably. This is a very important part of fitting the rucksack and needs to be correct as your hips will carry the majority of the weight, instead of your shoulders. Make sure not to tighten too much as the strap can dig in and make it uncomfortable.

5.After this you will then need to adjust the shoulder straps by tightening them. The straps should not be loose but not so tight that you move the weight off your hips and back onto your shoulders.

6.You will then move to the side and adjust the top stabilisation straps/load lifters (These are the small straps which connect from the back of the rucksack to the shoulder straps).
a)These should be tightened to approximately an angle of 30 degrees. This strap ensures the rucksack does not sit too far back off the wearers back causing them to be unbalanced
b)Be careful not to over tighten this strap as doing so can cause a gap behind the shoulder straps which can rub making the pack very uncomfortable very quickly.

7.The sternum (chest) strap is the last item to adjust to fit a rucksack.
a)On many rucksacks this is movable to some extent up and down the shoulder straps.
b)A guide to its position is that it should be in line with the bottom of the arm pit.
c)Once tightened the sternum strap will ensure the shoulder straps do not move about whilst out walking and help to keep the rucksack in place.

8.You don’t want a rucksack to sit too high as it will cause the weight balance to be off as anything you carry above your shoulders will be carried on your shoulders. As a guide your rucksack should never go above eye level.

9.To check once the rucksack is fitted that it has been done so correctly you can try a couple of things.
a)Ask someone to tug at the hip fins firmly, if fitted correctly you should move with it and not stay still.
b)If a person tries to move the shoulder straps apart they will move but give a bit of resistance.

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