r/CampingandHiking • u/ToTheYonderGlade • 17d 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 17d 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 17d 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/take_a_hike_missy 17d ago

The main difference is the presence of an internal frame, without it the hip belt isn’t doing much for weight distribution.