How to adjust your hiking backpack

How to adjust your hiking backpack

So, you've chosen your hiking backpack, you've loaded it up and you're ready to head off up to the mountain peaks? Not quite. You still have one detail to sort out before you make the most of your outing: you need to adjust your backpack.  How? Follow the guide!

If there is one piece of equipment that every hiker should not neglect, it is their backpack.
And to make the most of your outing, it's preferable to have a backpack that won't bother you. To avoid this, here are three tips for hiking with peace of mind: choose the right backpack for your size, make the right adjustments and balance the load correctly.
All you have to do is look up and enjoy the mountains!

If you are a keen hiker or backpacker, it is important to properly adjust your equipment to avoid pain and discomfort. If your bag is not adjusted correctly, it can cause back, shoulder or hip pain. It can also make you lose your balance and tire you out more quickly. Also, if your bag is not properly adjusted, you may not be able to carry everything you need, which could spoil your experience. Therefore, take some time to properly adjust your backpack before setting off so that you can fully enjoy your hike or trip without any unnecessary discomfort.

How to adjust your hiking backpack

Choose the backpack that's right for you

In the past, our team of engineers, made up of hiking enthusiasts, designed backpacks based on gender.
Now, it designs its backpacks according to your size, rather than your gender. Why? Because it asked itself the following question: is there a real difference between the male and female morphology?

On the skeleton, yes. But beyond that, there are different builds, different muscle masses and different types of fat, which are not specific to women or men. After conducting field tests, it emerged that the most important factor in finding a backpack, which will suit every hiker, is the height of the back.
More important than the gender-specific features (hips, chest, etc.) is your height. It is the stature that takes precedence. A person of short stature feels more comfortable with a pack that has a relatively small back, while a tall person will prefer a larger back.

Having made this observation, it seemed obvious to offer our mountain walking backpacks in two sizes: A size S for hikers under 1.70m tall. And a size L for those who are more than 1.70m tall. Here's a tip if you are between 1.65m and 1.75m tall: make sure you try on the backpack before buying it. Depending on the length of your legs or your back, you will need to choose between the two sizes.

 How to adjust your hiking backpack

MEN'S or WOMEN'S BACKPACKS? How to choose the right hiking backpack

In the past, our team of engineers, made up of hiking enthusiasts, designed backpacks based on gender.
Now, backpacks are designed based on your size, rather than your gender.
Why? Because it asked itself the following question: is there a real morphological difference between men and women ?

In terms of the skeleton, yes. But beyond that, there are different builds, different muscle masses and different types of fat, which are not specific to women or men. After usage tests, it emerged that the most important thing in finding the backpack that best suits each hiker is the back height.
More than gender issues (hips, chest, etc.), it’s your height, your stature that matters. A short person feels better with a bag whose back isn’t too big, and a tall person with a larger back.

Having made this observation, it seemed obvious to offer our mountain walking backpacks in two sizes: A size S for hikers under 1.70m tall. And a size L for those who are more than 1.70m tall. Here's a tip if you are between 1.65m and 1.75m tall: make sure you try on the backpack before buying it. Depending on the length of your legs or your back, you will need to choose between the two sizes.

 How to adjust your hiking backpack

How to properly adjust your backpack

Here are some tips on how to properly adjust your backpack. First of all, loosen the shoulder straps of your backpack, as this will enable you to adjust them to fit your body shape. Next, fasten the waist strap and make sure it is adjusted correctly. This strap is important because it shifts the weight of the backpack to your hips, alleviating the pressure on your back and shoulders. Once you have adjusted the waist strap, tighten the shoulder straps so that your bag fits your back perfectly. Don't forget to also adjust the chest strap which makes bag more stable on your back and reduces any unnecessary movement. Finally, adjust the shoulder straps for optimal comfort and to prevent the bag from moving around while you’re walking. Follow these steps to adjust your backpack like a pro!

 How to adjust your hiking backpack

How do I load/fill my hiking backpack?

With the right size backpack and the right adjustments, you are finally ready to go hiking? Almost! There's one last tip to give you before you let yourself devour the kilometres to the summits: remember to balance the load of your hiking backpack.

After a rigorous selection of the equipment to be carried, it is time to choose the best distribution of the latter. One thing is certain: make sure the load is balanced front to back and left to right. If your bag is tilted to one side, your body will be forced to compensate for the imbalance. You also increase the risk of falling, both uphill and downhill. It is equally important to achieve a compact load so that you don't have to worry about rattling or sudden tilts that could lead to a fall.

But what is the secret of an optimized load?
Heavy items should be placed in the middle of the pack and as close to your back as possible, medium weight items at the bottom and on the edge, and lighter items on top.

 How to adjust your hiking backpack

Cloé

Hiking enthusiast at Quechua

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