Rucksack Fitting Guide

Your rucksack is a staple piece of kit for any adventure - and usually your heaviest, once fully packed. Having a correctly-fitting rucksack is essential to keep you comfortable on long treks and avoid injuring yourself or using more energy than necessary. Below are the key steps for ensuring your rucksack fits properly, but if you're in any doubt, visit us in-store for a free rucksack fitting with one of our experts.

With your fingers, locate the uppermost part of your hip bone. Your hips will form the foundations of how your rucksack sits on your body and support the majority of the pack’s weight.

Now, fill your rucksack with improvised weights, such as tinned food or bags of rice. This is to simulate a fully loaded rucksack, as this is when you'll need comfort the most. Take care to weigh the pack evenly and pad it out if necessary, then put on the weighted rucksack and allow it to hang freely from your shoulders.

Next, fasten the hip strap. Many people find it most comfortable to have the top of the hip strap in line with the top of the hip bone; however, some people may find it more comfortable to have the strap slightly higher.

To get the hip straps at the correct height, you may need to either lengthen or shorten the main shoulder straps, so that the main body of the bag is moved up or down the length of your back. The hip strap should feel tight and secure once adjustments are made.

Once the rucksack has been adjusted to achieve the correct hip strap position, you should assess how well the shoulder straps fit. The tops of the shoulder straps should be just tucked in behind your shoulders, with the rest of the strap following the natural contours of your back.

If the shoulder straps don't fit correctly, you will need to remove the bag and adjust the back length. This process will vary depending on the manufacturer of the bag. Some use large Velcro panels that separate, whilst others may use webbing and pull cords that lengthen and shorten.

It may take a couple of attempts and readjustments to get the perfect fit, but achieving the correct back length will allow the shoulder straps to follow the curvature of your shoulders.

Finally, depending on your individual rucksack, there may be other straps and attachments which can be adjusted to aid comfort. 

Our in-store experts are happy to offer free rucksack fittings. This involves an initial consultation to assess your needs, and a highly accurate measurement of your back, to help select the best pack for your adventures. Simply visit your local store to be measured for a new pack, or bring your old one to have it adjusted for the best possible fit.