How to Adjust Backpack Straps (No Shoulder Pain!)

In this video, I show you how to properly fit a backpack for hiking, so that it feels comfortable. In the first part of the video, I go over everything that you should look out for when shopping for a new backpack, and in the second part show you how to adjust all the straps in a way that most of the weight gets balanced on the hips, rather than the shoulders.

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▼ TABLE OF CONTENTS
00:00 - Beginning
00:28 - How to find a comfortable backpack
04:03 - How to fit a backpack
06:58 - Final words

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▼ AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE
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[jborrelli]

Almost every video recommends tightening everything wayyy too much, youre literally the only video that suggests not tightening too tight and its refreshing.

[SanaurRehmanShahmir]

Thanks for sharing your experience with us! Great information for hiking community.

[cwolfdev]

Thanks a lot for this. Had a big practice hike and my shoulders and neck were killing me. With your help I realised the strap positions were all wrong and also too tight.

[REDFIREVIPER]

Your vid was very useful for me. I'm going to Talpa Pilgrimage (3 days walking and hiking) in about three months and will be using a 50L Mountaintop Adventurer for the first time, so, I will follow your adjusting instructions.

[cosycovevlog]

Helpful video - thanks! I recently travelled with a 40L pack and got some shoulder pain so I will try to adjust it better

[Tiger-]

Ooh.. I didn't realize you start measuring the backpack from the middle of the hipbelt area. I always just end up testing and adjusting a million times because the length doesn't make sense (because I'm measuring wrong). It's so obvious I feel like an idiot xD

Thanks for the tip!

[fluie]

Thank you so much!! After my DofE practice my shoulders were killing me but I’m about to do my qualifying and it already feels better.

[CourtneyCoulson]

Thanks for this. I had done so much research on buying a new backpack, I bought a Miltec one. I loved the way it looked and the amount of pockets, but it felt so heavy, even though I wasn't carrying much more than I carried in my old backpack. Turns out the torso is just way too long. It was a simple alteration to lower the straps.

[Blaatann]

Thanks! Needed help with the torso length adjustment👍🏻

[demoniack]

Ok so what I gather from this is I really need a new backpack, lol.
Mine has 1/4 of the adjustments (basically only hip belt and one adjustment for the shoulder straps) and after hiking for 30km (+ 2km up and then back down vertically) with 18-20kg of load my shoulders are absolutely SHOT. They hurt a lot more than my legs which absurd... I could barely move my arms when I woke up this morning.

I have a smaller backpack that has a chest strap and I could feel it makes a ton of difference, but I didn't know they also come with TWO shoulder adjustments! I'll definitely be referencing this video when I go buy a new one.
Thanks!

[kutilsima]

Excelent help, thanks. So I'm already used to search for instructions before I start doing stuff so back pain wouldn't last for me.

[Zanzidog]

Great advice. Glad your back doesn't hurt like a MoFo anymore either!🤣

[Self_Proppelled]

Not only is your video very informative but by sheer coincidence you use the exact same backpack I have so this tutorial turns out to be perfect for me. Last week I went out for my very first backpacking trip ever, and solo too. The experience turned quite painful with my shoulder straps carrying too much. I wish I had known this information beforehand. Maybe a 22 mile round trip was a bit much for a first time.

[Mihawk]

"bcs the chest area are slightly different" nah...

[burmy]

4:24. Showing how to set torso length on the back pack without any reference to how to take a measurement of one's own torso length is pointless.