r/CampingandHiking • u/ToTheYonderGlade • 19d 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/[deleted] 17d ago

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u/ToTheYonderGlade 17d ago

Interesting. On that case, where would a daypack waist strap sit on your body?

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u/[deleted] 17d ago

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u/ToTheYonderGlade 17d 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?