What order do you tighten the straps on your pack?

Doe Nob

Very Active Member
Feb 21, 2011
565
0
Houston, TX
I remember an eastman's episode where David Long did a segment on which straps and in what order you want to tighten down to secure your pack when you are putting it on. Does anyone remember that?

If there's a link to a clip that would be great, but if someone has the info I'd appreciate it.

Edit: Ah hell, I guess I should have googled it harder:

http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/backpacks+adjusting+fit.html

http://www.shoestringbackpacking.com/backpack-straps.html

http://www.lookingforadventure.com/backpackadjustment.htm
 
Last edited:

Jon Boy

Active Member
Apr 13, 2011
339
0
Billings, MT
Ive watched the clip where david long showed how to do it. thats the way i do it now it seems to make a noticeable difference
 

Bitterroot Bulls

Veteran member
Apr 25, 2011
2,326
0
Montana
The only problem with David Long's video instructions is he cranks down on the load lifters to "suck the load in". REI's instructions above recommend tightening them to a 45 degree angle, and I have found that to be ideal.
 

Jon Boy

Active Member
Apr 13, 2011
339
0
Billings, MT
Yah thats where I saw it. I always seem to forget the exact order of tightening but if you loosen all of your straps up before you put the pack on completely and then tighten them up in what ever order it still fits alot better than throwing on a pack that already has tightened up straps.
 

wolftalonID

Very Active Member
Mar 10, 2011
679
0
Idaho
Best method is to lean forward and tighten your waist belt as tight as you can to support the weight of your pack on the hips.
Then stand up and tighten your shoulder straps tight. Then loosen them till you feel the weight shift from the shoulder to the hips.
This also gives you a bit of space between your shoulder and the shoulder strap. If your load lifter straps are positioned correctly for your torso they should be angled up and away from your shoulder at the 45º angle. If they are not at that angle, then your pack should have an adjustment position for them on the back panel to make them go to the correct possition for your torso.
 

mconway951

New Member
Jan 25, 2012
36
0
Best method is to lean forward and tighten your waist belt as tight as you can to support the weight of your pack on the hips.
Then stand up and tighten your shoulder straps tight. Then loosen them till you feel the weight shift from the shoulder to the hips.
This also gives you a bit of space between your shoulder and the shoulder strap. If your load lifter straps are positioned correctly for your torso they should be angled up and away from your shoulder at the 45º angle. If they are not at that angle, then your pack should have an adjustment position for them on the back panel to make them go to the correct possition for your torso.
Thats how i do it but on long hikes i tend to find myself adjusting them on the go as well maybe pulling the shoulder straps a lil tighter and loosening the waist when hips get lil tired or doing some nasty up hill ground pounding just to kinda give different areas a rest at a time while still making time on the trail.