Only the Fitted Survive

The backpack is what makes it possible to be a self-sufficient traveler. Your backpack will transport all of your survival and comfort needs out in the wilderness. Backpacking is a skilled sport requiring the mastery of many physical techniques and considerable planning. The more that you backpack, the more experience you will gain in stream lining your selection of gear to meet your needs on the trail. The most important part of the equation, however, is having a properly fitted backpack.

The design and fit of your backpack must support your skill level and your hiking objectives. It must be comfortable and control the load when traversing rugged back country, bush whacking through Rhododendron, climbing talus slopes, fording streams or trekking alpine trails.

At Hudson Trail Outfitters, our staff is dedicated to the proper fitting of all our outdoor equipment. For over 30 years we have offered custom fit backpacks and we know that matching a pack to your needs and your body is very important. To ensure the delivery of a properly sized and comfortable backpack we have developed a systematic fitting procedure.


Fitting Procedure

A proper fitting must always start with getting the basic measurements. Once reliable measurements are established, we can then select the appropriate subtleties of design and adjustment to customize the fit.


Torso Measurement

Your torso length is measured along your spine from the top of the hip-line to the point where the slope of the shoulders meets the neck (at the 7th cervical vertebrae). A properly sized pack will be matched to this measurement and not your overall height. In general, the variation in torso length between short and tall hikers is only 5-7 inches, but the wrong size will be noticed in less than a mile of backcountry hiking. Approximate pack sizing equivalents are:

14” - 16” Torso - Extra Small pack
16” - 18” Torso - Small pack
18” - 20” Torso - Medium pack
20” - 22” Torso - Large pack
23” - Up Torso - Extra Large pack


Frame Types and Sizing

As the weight bearing structural component of your pack, the frame must reinforce and support your spine. To do this it must span your torso length. If the frame is too short it will not divert weight from the spine. If the frame is too long then too much weight will be diverted to the hips and the load may shift.

Pre-sized external frame packs, adjustable external frame packs and pre-sized internal frame packs use the torso length measurements listed previously.

-Pre-sized external frames use welded aluminum and are tremendously strong, durable and lightweight. Fine tuning is accomplished by positioning the harness components, but is limited to less than two inches.

-Adjustable external frames utilize various technologies to allow harnesses to be precisely positioned for torso variances up to six inches. This allows many people to use the same pack comfortably and packs are typically available in two size ranges that accommodate nearly everyone.

-Pre-sized internal frames are lighter in weight and less-fuss. You can fine tune the pack with the shoulder harness, the shoulder straps and the hip belt for a much more custom fit.


Sizing The Pelvic Harness

Comprised of the lumbar pad, hip belt, and the pelvic load adjuster straps the pelvic harness is designed to carry the bulk of the pack weight around the crown and ilium.

The lumbar pad supports the lumbar vertebrae and transmits the lion’s share of the pack weight to the sacrum. Constructed with several densities of foam, rigid layers nearest the frame to disperse the load and soft padding near your body for comfort this thick pad is usually covered with non-slip fabric to improve load transfer.

The hip belt is a thickly padded belt also constructed of several layers and designed to wrap the top of the pelvic girdle (the ilium). The belt is cinched high and the pack weight is settled down on top of the hips. This allows full freedom of leg movement. The closure buckle must be strong and designed for easy release.

Hip belts should wrap as far as possible around the hips while still being able to be tightly cinched. Sizing is measured around the hip-line as follows:

22” - 27” Hip-line ——— Small belt
28” - 23” Hip-line ——— Medium belt
34” - 39” Hip-line ——— Large belt
40” - 45” Hip-line ——— Extra Large belt

The pelvic load adjusters are the buckled straps between the hip belt and the pack bag/frame. Tightening these adjusters keeps your load from swaying and shifting side-to-side. This reduces your overall mobility, but you gain increased control over your load which is essential in vertical terrain.


Shoulder Harness Sizing

Padded shoulder harness straps must fit smoothly over the shoulders. Tapered designs do not chafe and they fit women comfortably. Shoulder straps are adjustable by virtue of varying the attachment point to the pack. All buckles, hardware, and sewing must be sturdy enough to withstand heavy stress.

The shoulder load adjuster straps attach to the shoulder harness at the collar bone and pass over the shoulder to attach high up on the pack. When the pack is weighted these must elevate at a 45 degree angle. This is the Neutral Load Angle. If the angle is greater than 45 degrees the weight will drop to the waist, the load will be top heavy and the load can shift. If the angle is less than 45 degrees the weight will overload your shoulders, lift off your waist belt and put undue stress on your back.

The sternum strap prevents the shoulder straps from moving off the shoulder.

To adjust the sternum strap, move it up or down on the shoulder harness so that it rides just above the part of your chest that expands most when you breathe. Experiment with the tension on the sternum strap to see what is most comfortable for you under various load and trail conditions.

A harness must be designed so that the contents of the pack or the frame will not poke into your back. Back bands and pads must allow breathability and should help in the overall load control.

Loading and Organizing Your Pack

Improperly loading your pack will negate the benefits of your custom fit. The pack will carry best when you load the center of the weight high and forward. Lighter weight items go to the bottom or front. Your sleeping bag can be stuffed
and packed into the lowest compartment to create a firm foundation for the rest
of your load. Lightweight sleeping bags can also be tightly rolled and strapped outside on the lower part of the pack. Pack heavier items such as stoves, pots and climbing hardware high and close to the back panel.

To further organize your pack, use stuff
sacks or ditty bags. We recommend categorizing your load by placing like items in the same stuff sack. Thus your kitchen gear is in the red stuff sack, food in the yellow stuff sack, toiletries in the blue stuff sack. Further grouping can be done with clear zip-lock bags within the stuff sacks or ditty bags.

Attach your tent by strapping it horizontally across the top of your pack or you can carry the poles separately in the wand pockets and repack the tent into a smaller stuff sack.

After packing if you have less than a full load, cinch the load compression straps tightly. These can also be used to secure a variety of items to the outside. Utilize the pockets to carry items which you will be using during the hike, such as a water bottle, first aid kit, gloves, hat and sunglasses.

When adjusted and packed properly, the pack’s center of gravity should be directly over that of your body when it is in motion. Remember that you walk around with a pronounced forward lean, and when standing your pack will pull backwards somewhat.

Wearing Your Pack

Before you put the pack on, loosen all the adjustments on the shoulder harness and the hip belt. The hip belt stabilizer straps must be loosened prior to tightening the hip belt, or the belt will not wrap around your hips properly.

First rest your pack in front of you facing the shoulder straps, then hoist the pack to one knee using the shoulder straps. Rotate your shoulder into one of the shoulder straps and swing the pack up and onto your back. After the pack is
on, the hip belt should be tightened. Be sure that the top of the hip belt is one inch above the top of your hip bone. Next, tighten your shoulder straps to bring the pack into its proper torso position. Readjust the shoulder straps and connect and adjust the sternum straps for comfort. Tighten the hip belt stabilizer straps and then tighten the shoulder stabilizer to stabilize the top of the pack.


Using The Controls

By utilizing your pack’s controls you can shift the weight entirely to your hips, entirely to your shoulders, or you can distribute it in any manner you choose between the hips and the shoulders. Experiment on the trail to find the optimum adjustment for various terrain and activities.

To Shift the Weight From the Hips to the Shoulders
1. Loosen the shoulder stabilizer straps.
2. Tighten the lower shoulder harness adjustment straps. You may also wish to loosen the hip belt for a full weight transfer to the shoulder.
3. Tighten the shoulder stabilizer straps again to stabilize the top of the pack.

To Shift the Weight From the Shoulders to the Hips
1. Loosen the shoulder straps and the shoulder stabilizer until you feel the weight of the load shift downward onto your hips.
2. Now tighten the shoulder stabilizer straps until there is about a fingers width of space between your shoulder and the shoulder straps.
3. You may wish to tighten the hip belt a little because of the weight transfer.