A poorly fitted pack on a three-day trip is a genuine injury risk. Here is how to size, adjust, and load a pack for multi-day Australian hiking.
Torso Length vs Overall Height
Pack sizing is based on torso length, not your overall height. Measure from the bony protrusion at the base of your neck (C7 vertebra) to the top of your hip bones (iliac crest) while standing upright. This measurement determines your frame size — most manufacturers offer small, medium, and large torso lengths.
Fitting the Hip Belt
80% of pack weight should sit on your hips, not your shoulders. The hip belt must sit across the iliac crest — the solid bony shelf of your hip bones — not below it. When the hip belt is correctly positioned and tightened, you should feel the weight transfer from the shoulder straps to your hips as you buckle it.
Shoulder Strap Adjustment
With hip belt correctly positioned, shoulder straps should curve around your shoulders without gaps or pressure points. Load lifters — the diagonal straps that run from the top of the shoulder straps to the top of the frame — should be at a 45-degree angle. Too steep (more than 45°) means the pack is too short for your torso. Too flat means the pack is too long.
Loading Correctly
Pack your load with heavy items (tent, food, water) closest to your back at mid-spine height. This keeps the centre of gravity close to your body and reduces leverage on your lower back. Light bulky items (sleeping bag, pad) go at the bottom and top. Frequently accessed items in top lid and hip belt pockets.
Test your fit with a loaded pack before a multi-day trip — a problem identified at home is not a problem on day two at 20km from the car. Browse our outdoor packs and accessories.
