Backpacker Magazine Gear School: Fit A Backpack Right

Finding out your torso length is half the battle. Backpacker's Gear editor Kristin Hostetter explains all the strategies to you need to find a good-fitting backpack--from how to simulate a fully-loaded pack, to what to look for in hip belts and shoulder straps. Learn how to find your perfect pack at Gear School - straight from the pages of the March 2007 Gear Guide.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Backpacker
• magazine
• backpack
• hiking
• survival
• torso
• measure
• Kristin
• Hostetter
• adventure

[EarthBlue2]

Great video sweet heart I'm so sorry that people are being so negative toward your good advice on tips while on their hiking adventures in the wildernest. who is perfect please buy all means let me know. hiker Lou. great video.

[GrailcodeDotNet]

Backpacking Goddess!

[CarlyXanadu]

Thanks for the advice, as a woman shopping for a backpack it's useful for me to get a woman's perspective out-of-the-store. I've had ill-fitting backpacks before - it affects every part of my body, and really makes for a painful trip. Once I knew how to find a fitting backpack, I started to love hiking. So thanks so much for your advice.

[Zemo999]

Good vid with some good tips, would be nice to know the size of your pack and how it fits compared to your size.

New to this also, so don't know anything about hydration sizes/weights dimensions for what size pack/person.

[Korvan1993]

@whatever7x7 can you say: offensive comment = troll with no life and social issues?

[whatever7x7]

can you say no makeup= hairy armpit lesbo

[Twisted86]

I have a jansport carson and have a 21'' torso. I like the pack BUT the top of the frame is very close to my head. Is this normal for a external frame?

I can loosen the shoulder straps to put more weight on my hips and it feels better but the pack likes to "wave" when I walk. Reason I wanted external frame was I can attach my axes and other equipment.

[DennyRec]

I'm just starting to get into backpacking. I have a canyon trip coming up. I have been practicing with a 26 lb pack and trek poles. I go to a state park, I hike over all sorts of land. I didn't know about the adjusting of the pack until I saw the video. What a relief that was to learn. Thank you so much.

[RMJwebtv1]

so far this is the first pack fitting video that showed proper hip fitting. yeah !

[mtlyb]

I think this is a great little video. Good info especially for new backpackers. Thank you.

[zeropowermove]

@Quex01 y don't u be more respectful u don't even n

[Quex01]

Nice, that way she can bring lots of good food to cook from a local market.