How to Size a Backpack – Ultimate Guide for Backpackers 2021

A well-fitted backpack makes your journey comfortable and enjoyable that’s why you must learn how to size a backpack because it cannot be sized like a tea shirt or shoes; you have to take proper measurements of your body.

If any strap of the backpack is too tight or loose, it won’t be easy to stuff things and maintain their balance. Here I have guided you completely about sizing the backpack. Let us start!

How to Size a Backpack?

Sizing of backpacks is not very difficult if you know how to use measuring instruments and how we have to take measurements, then you can easily choose the backpack made for your sized people.

Simply follow the given below steps

1.    Measure your Torso Length

First of all, choose a bag made for your height by comparing your torso length to the backpack. Take a measuring tape for measuring the size of your torso length. Tilt your head downward so a bump can be seen at your neck.

This bump is the last vertebra known as c7 start measuring from it now straighten your head and move downwards till the iliac center comes, which is the highest point of the hip bone; it also has a bump. Now according to your torso length, choose a backpack, whether unisex or gendered.

2.    Find out the Hip Size

Few backpacks have the same hip belt and torso length. But mostly in large bags, and those which are best size daypack for hiking have variable belt size for providing extra fitting and balance

To measure the size of your hip, take a measuring instrument, wrap it around your hips at the point where there is an iliac crest because for maintaining balance belt should be worn there. Note down the reading.

The school-going boys and girls have less wasit their belt size will be probably 22”-28”, but the graduate students have big body thus their belt size will also be large, and maybe it is 28” to 34”.

The hip strap is adjustable; hence you can tighten and loosen it but make sure you are wearing it at the iliac crest.

3.    Wear the Backpack

In the end, try the back that you have chosen for you according to measurements to see if there is an issue. Please make sure all the bag’s straps are at their position, and no strap should be tight or loose.

Here I have discussed the position and role of all straps of backpacks.

Hip Belt

The hip belt position matters a lot, so make sure the upper edge of the hipbelt is 1” above the iliac crest. becasue if it is above the iliac crest, it means that backpack is not of your size and weight cannot be distributed well on the hip muscles.

If it’s too low, then different back problems will occur because then weight will be exerted below the hip regions, so change the bag.

The hip belt is used to shift some weight on the hip muscles because it is challenging to carry a backpack loaded with heavy books and other kinds of stuff entirely on the shoulders.

Shoulder Straps

Shoulder straps should be comfortable, well-padded, and they should wrap around your shoulders about 3 inches below the top of the shoulder. If its wrapping starts before 3 inches, then it means the backpack is not of your size.

Exchange backpack with that one in which shoulder straps are very comfortable and wrap around your body 3 inches below the top of shoulders. If you want to shift the maximum load to your shoulder, tighten the shoulder straps and lose the hip belt.

Load Lifter Straps

Adjust the load lifter straps carefully; these straps connect the shoulder strap’s harness with the back panel of the backpack. If they are very tight, then severe pain in the shoulders can occur.

However, lose straps will put all the weight on the shoulder instead of balancing it on hips and shoulders, which will cause pain in both shoulders and spine.

Their primary function is to pull the weight towards your body’s center of gravity to maintain balance; thus, you will have to invest less energy in carrying the weight. These straps pull your backpack against your back instead of hanging it to the other side.

Sternum Strap

This strap moves parallel to the sternum bone; that’s why it is known as sternum bone. The function o this strap is to balance the weight and keep the shoulder straps at their place fixed.

But make sure this strap is not shorter than your sternum bones because if it is tight, then the shoulder straps will be pulled towards each other resultantly; it will damage your back.

If this strap will be too loose, then it has no benefit. However, the sternum strap is like very much by the university, academy, and high school going students as it gives a stylish and modern look.