Your spine is the key to good health throughout your life and making sure you protect it by carrying your kit correctly is something we take very seriously. Thanks to modern technology, carrying heavy loads needn’t be a burden on your body. There is a TON of science already invested in the rucksacks sitting on our shelves ready to carry everything you need to enjoy your time in the hills safely and comfortably so what questions do you need to ask to make sure you buy the right one?

How big a pack do I need?

To give you an idea of how much you might be able to fit in your pack they are measured in litres. Commonly referred to as 'daypacks', smaller packs are ideal for a days worth of gear, food, drinks etc and are usually between 10 and 25-litre capacity. 25- 35 litre packs are a little bigger and designed for long mountain days, mountaineering, climbing and minimalist overnight trips. They have enough capacity for all your gear, including bulky warm layers, maybe a confidence rope or some climbing gear and possibly an ice axe and crampons. Packs in the 35 - 50 litre range are ideally suited to lightweight backpacking, winter climbing and alpinism. The larger capacity gives you plenty of space for climbing or winter gear, or a lightweight tent, sleeping bag etc. Finally, packs over the 50-litre mark are generally used for backpacking, travelling or expeditions. Their large capacity is ideal for tents, a sleeping bag and mat, cooking gear and clothing.

But beware: buying big is not always better. In the case of rucksacks; the more you put in it the heavier it is going to be to carry. Conversely, buying a pack too small for your needs can lead to frustration when you are trying to cram everything in, or can’t find what you are looking for. That’s when skills in packing your pack and even a rucksack filing system can come into their own.

What is the Difference between Men’s and Women’s packs?

There are no two ways around this: Men and Women are different shapes because we are designed to carry loads differently. This has been proven by a wealth of research, mostly by the military but also within our own industry. Lowe Alpine, for example, have worked with the University of Cumbria specifically on this subject. Key to this is the women’s lumber area which is an inch higher than a man’s.

BUT

Gender differences are never black and white and depending on size and stature it is often the case that a man with a narrower stature will fit a “women’s” pack really well and a woman with a broader stature may fit a “man’s” pack better too. The key is fitting your pack correctly and we would always advise you to come in and try some on before buying. Just like clothing they are sized very differently and once you get some weight inside any that fit poorly will quickly become apparent.

Does my “back size” look big in this?

We are all different heights but the key to getting a great fitting pack is finding one that matches your torso measurement. This sounds technical but don’t worry – it’s very simple, but you will need a friend to help, or of course, one of our lovely staff team.

First of all you need to find your Iliac Crest. Just stand with your hands on your hips (fingers forward) and find the point where your hands rest on top of your hip bones and into the squishy parts. The point in the centre of your back between your two thumbs is your Iliac Crest. Next, we need to find your C7 vertebrae. Just tilt your head forward and it will poke prominently through your skin and be easy to spot (by your friend or our staff member, not by you obvs). The measurement from this point down to the point in the centre of your Iliac Crest is your torso measurement which can be used to choose the correct back size for you.

Now, not all companies state their pack back lengths on their hang tags but don’t worry – there are plenty of visual clues to ensure you have a correctly sized pack that we can double check during fitting, as described below.

Fixed or adjustable?

Most smaller volume day packs, mountaineering and climbing packs tend to have a fixed back length. Minimal fuss means lighter weight. Many of these packs come in fixed length back options so it is important to get the right size so the pack is comfortable and any weight is distributed correctly across your body.

Technical day packs, larger volume hiking packs, and trekking and travel backpacks often feature adjustable back lengths, which allows the user to tailor the fit to their body. A precise fit is important when you’re carrying a heavy load across uneven terrain.

What is the difference between sizing and fitting a pack?

Sizing a pack is making sure we have the correct length of pack to match your torso. If this is incorrect then you could experience rubbing in the lumber area if it is too long, pressure points on your shoulders if it is too short. An ill-fitting pack causes you to move inefficiently increasing fatigue while a wobbly pack can make moving over uneven terrain perilous.

Fitting a pack is all about getting it to fit soundly around your body, spreading the load and sitting comfortably. Your legs are much stronger than your shoulders so when fitted properly you should have 80% of the weight transferring through your hips and 20% through your shoulders. Small adjustments to the straps will get the pack sitting just right and it is important to remember that you’ll need to do these every time you use the pack. Why? Because you will likely be wearing different clothes.

Why do I need a mirror?

Fitting and adjusting your pack is all about fine tuning. This is the stage where straps are tweaked to get that 80/20 load correct and one of the key visual indicators is how the shoulder straps sit around your shoulders. There shouldn’t be any major gaps and looking side on in a mirror is a great way to check. The load straps should be at roughly 45 degrees, so again, looking in a mirror is a good way of making sure the pack is fitting properly.

The key thing to remember every time you put your pack on is to start at the bottom. Get the hip belt buckle centred and comfortable with the belt sitting comfortably on your hips. Pull down the shoulder straps so your pack fits snugly but not too tight. Adjust your load straps so they are in tension but not pulling the top of the pack over your shoulders and finally tension your sternum or chest strap so that it just takes the weight of the shoulder straps.

When you take the pack off – do everything in reverse. You quickly get used to it and it means that when you go to put your pack back on you don’t have to waste energy trying to fit into tight straps.

How do I choose between features?

There are a wealth of pack features and a fantastic amount of science in the backsystems used by our suppliers but even a pack with the fanciest pocket configuration and fastest drying mesh known to man might not be right for you if it doesn’t fit.

Fit is king – get that right and look at the features next.

Think about what activity you will be using your pack for as you might need more than one if you enjoy different activities. Ask yourself when you will use your pack for example; if you walk in all weathers perhaps an integral rucksack cover could be a good feature to look for but if you prefer to carry things on the outside of your pack for easy access then a separate waterproof liner might be a better option. Do you need to store a helmet if you are climbing or cycling? Would a hip belt pocket be big enough to fit your phone or camera? Do you need to be able to carry an ice axe in the winter? Are the buckles easy to work while wearing gloves? If you come along prepared to ask all of these questions then you are definitely going to end up with a great pack that will be a pleasure to use for many years to come.

Top tips to make the right choice

Load carrying doesn’t need to be miserable! Once you have narrowed down your choice of packs, pop some weight in them and take some time to walk around for 20 or so minutes. Go up and down steps, try an incline – we have all these available in the shops for you to try. If you are at home we can still help over the phone and don’t forget the importance of a mirror. Our staff are experts on fitting and using packs because once you have chosen the best pack for you – the science of packing begins……

Our range of Walking and Trekking Packs

Our range of Climbing Packs

Our range of Expedition Packs

Accessory straps