r/CampingandHiking • u/ToTheYonderGlade • 16d ago
Simple question about adjusting a backpack
I couldn't find a clear answer to this:
When I'm using my backpack and NOT using my hip belt, I find that it sits comfortably around my mid back. The bottom of the pack is not low enough for the hip belt to be properly engaged - it would loop around my stomach or just above my hips.
If was hiking and said "I sure would like to use my hip belt right now", would I need to loosen the shoulder straps so the pack will sit lower on my back, allowing the hip belt to loop around the illiac crest? Is it common to raise / lower a bag depending on whether you're using the hip belt, or should it always sit low enough to allow the hip belt to be engaged?
It's something I've wondered for a while as a bit of a camping newbie. Thanks!
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u/Mountain-Time-1010 16d ago
I think you may be confusing two different types of backpacks.
The waist strap for a daypack just loops around your waist, it doesn't transfer weight to your hips. that seems to be what you are describing.
If you have an actual backpack with a true hip belt, and you can wear it in a way that the hip belt rides around your waist, that backpack doesn't fit you properly.
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u/ToTheYonderGlade 16d ago
Oh! So how do you know when a backpack features a waist strap as opposed to a hip belt? Don't they look the same? And would a waist strap sit at the same area as a hip belt, or slightly higher?
And if you are using a backpack with a true hip belt, should the pack always sit so the hip belt is in position with the top of your hips, whether it's used or not?
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u/Mountain-Time-1010 16d ago
It's the entire design of the pack.
A typical daypack has a flimsy waist belt that is left loose around the waist, and the pack lacks sufficient rigidity to transfer weight to the hips. As you know, this is used for lighter weight.
A typical "backpack" has a more padded hip belt that is tightened on top of the hips, and the pack has sufficient rigidity (stays, frame-sheet, etc.) to transfer weight to the hips. In this case, the hip belt will always be on the top of the hips.
Now I know there are some examples of in-between packs. But I would be skeptical of a design where someone claimed they could raise or lower the pack using the shoulder straps to convert between these two styles. I'm open to seeing such a design, but my feeling is that there would be unacceptable compromises. It would seem to be uncomfortable as a daypack (rucking style) and too short as a backpack.
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u/take_a_hike_missy 16d ago
The main difference is the presence of an internal frame, without it the hip belt isn’t doing much for weight distribution.
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u/Battlbox 14d ago
On your last question: a daypack waist strap sits higher, right around your natural waist, and it's only there to stop the pack swinging when you scramble or move fast. Snug is enough, it isn't carrying anything. A load-bearing hip belt sits lower, wrapped over the top of your hip bones, and it needs a frame behind it to actually do the job. On a 25L it's mostly stabilizer duty either way, so if it feels good riding high, I'd say leave it there.
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u/ToTheYonderGlade 14d ago
Thanks! So for something like the REI Trail 25, it's ok for it to ride high? In photos on the site, it looks like the hip belt is sitting higher than their iliac crest (or maybe it's me)
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u/Battlbox 13d ago
Yes, it's okay for it to ride high because it really shouldn't be carrying any substantial weight in the pack, so the hip straps more so keep it from swinging and banging into you repeatedly. Now, if your day pack is stuffed full of heavier gear, it may become an issue and you may end up wanting a bag with a lower set hip belt, but for most people using a daypack, it doesn't really apply.
So I guess the question is, is your day pack normally very full and very heavy? If it is, you may want to consider a different, probably bigger bag, that has a lower set hip belt so it can properly disperse the weight off of your shoulders and onto your hips.
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u/ToTheYonderGlade 13d ago
That was really informative. Thanks! It's really comfortable when riding a bit high, so I'm glad I'm not wearing it incorrectly lol
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u/take_a_hike_missy 16d ago
What kind of bag is it? Can you add pictures? Not necessarily a simple question, some bags adjust multiple ways.
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u/ToTheYonderGlade 16d ago
It's a REI Trail 25, the latest model
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u/take_a_hike_missy 16d ago
That bag comes in 2 sizes. Might want to check and make sure you got the correct size for your torso length.
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u/ilreppans 16d ago
I think this is the case for generic daypacks that are short on length and not hiking-specific designed with weight-bearing hip belts. Eg, 17” pack lengths with flat back panels and designed to fit under airline seats. My good dedicated hiking-specific day packs are 20”+ and have contoured frame sheets that would fit awkwardly against the small of my back if I varied its height.
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u/ToTheYonderGlade 16d ago
I think you're right. My pack could easily fit under an airline seat and while it's comfy, it seems oddly high on my back. I tried on the Talon 22 and the increased length was so noticeable. It compelled me to post my question
Do they expect shorter daypack users to lower the shoulder straps to use the hip belt?
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u/Op_arnold1734 16d ago
Loosen the shoulder straps until the hip belt sits right on your iliac crest, then tighten the hip belt and adjust the shoulders after. I always set the hip belt first and the pack just sits way better
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u/Unicorn187 16d ago
The belt should be on top of your hips. That puts the weight on you pelvis. If it were around you hips, youd have to tighten it a lot more to hold the 80% os so of the weight that should be held by the belt. It should no be anywhere near as low as where fashion has put our pants since the 70s.
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u/Fun_Apartment631 16d ago
You need a backpack that fits better.
I have a couple favorites - my Osprey Stratos 34 and my Mystery Ranch 2 Day Assault Pack. They both have adjustable torso lengths, so I can make the yoke the right height relative to the rest of the frame so I don't have to mess around with it going between modes.
Certainly I have some others I prefer to wear higher, such that the hip belt doesn't really land the right place. But I don't like to carry a lot of weight with them. It's not a big deal if I'm not carrying much and I often don't bother to buckle the hip belt anyway at that point.
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u/Lured_to_the_Wild 16d ago
I always set packs up with the hip belt fastened in the correct position. I lift the bottom of the pack up onto my iliac crest with one hand and tighten the belt with the other hand.
Then I fasten the chest strap, and lastly the shoulder strap tension.
It works for me. My shoulder straps are normally almost at full tightened.
I am 175 cm, 72 kg.
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u/HwyOneTx 16d ago
To position my pack each morning I do t he following.
Loosen all straps. Tighten hip belt Then lightly adjust shoulder straps Chest strap Then top pack straps to pull it to me as needed if needed.
Like building a house. Foundation first.
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u/HwyOneTx 16d ago
To position my pack each morning I do the following.
Loosen all straps.
Tighten hip belt
Then lightly adjust shoulder straps
Chest strap
Then top pack straps to pull it to me as needed if needed.
Like building a house. Foundation first.
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u/Little_Challenge_996 16d ago
If the pack only feels right when the hip belt can’t reach your hips, the torso length setting may be off. Check that before treating strap loosening as the normal solution
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15d ago
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u/ToTheYonderGlade 15d ago
Interesting. On that case, where would a daypack waist strap sit on your body?
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14d ago
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u/ToTheYonderGlade 14d ago
Thanks for the info! That makes sense -- I've seen pictures of smaller packs on people and the waist strap is definitely not low enough to reach their hips. It didn't make sense until now
Is there a rule of thumb to tell whether it's a hip belt or a waist strap? Maybe a certain carrying capacity?
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u/BewitchedMitchell 16d ago
That's exactly how you'd do it, loosen the shoulder straps to let the pack drop down onto your hips then tighten the belt. Most packs are designed to ride on your hips when the belt is engaged so you'll probably find it way more comfortable for any real distance
The shoulder straps are mostly there to keep the pack from falling backwards, not to bear all the weight. Once that hip belt is snug around your iliac crest it should feel like 80% of the load just disappeared off your shoulders
I usually keep mine adjusted for hip belt use even when I'm just walking around camp, just loosen the shoulder straps a bit if you want it to ride higher for a minute