how do i adjust my pack to fit me? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**mermaidnz** · 11-06-2006, 04:28 PM

i just brought my pack (its pink ahhhh!!! awesomness!) anyways.... im not too sure if it fits right.

i put it on like the chick in the shop showed me, and adjusted the straps, but it feels nothing like the one i tried on the in the store.

when i move the hip straps to sit around my hips theres a massive gap between my back and the bag ( i must be super curved at the bottom of my spine or soemthing) i could fit a towel or two in the gap its so big!

the shoulder straps sit above my shoulders. its werid, like the bag isnt resting on my shouders at all, but on my hips, and the shoulder starts are just there for decoration

the front strap claspy thing that goes over the top of my chest looks great tho- the cleavege that things gives me...damn! haha

but on a whole i just look akward! what am i doing wrong?

**Joker** · 11-06-2006, 10:22 PM

Ahhh, a woman that won't read the instructions. Now I know that we're not the only members of the species that don't bother with directions. :P

**mermaidnz** · 11-07-2006, 01:43 AM

it didnt come with instructions. at least, i dont think it did?!

**Rozza** · 11-07-2006, 02:08 AM

I'm not sure if this is right, but i've always worked that its better to have bags where the weight is on the hips and not the shoulder,

Is it uncomfortable?

**mermaidnz** · 11-07-2006, 03:10 AM

ill take some pics later and post them up, so you can see what i mean. it might be right, i just feel like a twat.

**mermaidnz** · 11-07-2006, 05:42 AM

ok. heres some pics... http://www.travelpunk.com/boards/index.php...m&album=175

it just isnt right!

**Brookers13** · 11-07-2006, 06:25 AM

if you got it new, it should have instructions. read them

**MeTurk** · 11-07-2006, 06:37 AM

I didn't get any instructions with mine either so I'm not surprised. There are adjustable straps on the top of the arm bands let them out and then tighten them underneath, that worked for me. The hole arm band thing might be able to move up and down too mine is just kindof held in place with Velcro.

**Brookers13** · 11-07-2006, 06:38 AM

mine had instructions but i still had to play with it a bunch until i got it to fit like it liked...so just work on it

**mermaidnz** · 11-07-2006, 06:46 AM

seriously, there were no instructions,otherwise i would have read them,and had the damn thing figured out by now.

ive adjusted the straps like how the chick in the shop showed me, but i dont know if its right.it certainly doesnt feel right.

**c0urt** · 11-07-2006, 07:06 AM

here are the general rules, take the pack off put it on the floor with the part the lies against your back on the floor.

let the hip straps all the way out.
roll it over and now let the shoulder straps and the sternam straps out, there should be some should adjusters at the top of the shoulder straps near you head let those out

take your shoes off so you are standing flat.

put the bag on your shoulders

buckle the hip belt and tighten it,
the top will be hanging but thats ok, right now we want your hips to support most of the weight of the bag

now that the hip belt is mostly adjusted and sitting on those two bones that stick out on your hip.

adjust the bottom shoulder straps pull them tight, you will have to loosen them to take the bag back off

now tighten the top shoulder adjusters this should pull the bag closer to your body and make it stand closer to strait up, you dont want the top leaning back it throws your balance off.

next readjust you hips so they are still carrying most of the weight.

now you adjust the sternum strap, you want it to cross your zyphoid process.
but not your nipples. so about an inch higher than your nipples i think. it should be tight enough you can get two finger under it.

no shake your ass and see if the bag tips or falls off or anything. if no than you should be good

the rull of thumb is loosen the straps when you take it off. and when you gear up top to bottom. thats why i could wear my pack all day but hated taking it off
if i missed anything one of the pros will be in here.

and looking at your pics scrath the nipple thing you have your sternum strap near the right place. but the shoulders and hips are to far apart. if you cant adjust the length between those your bag may be to big for your frame. but that gap above your shoulders is BAD. check under the foam panel that goes against your back ad see if you can adjust the size

**mermaidnz** · 11-07-2006, 07:15 AM

c0urt! you are a lifesaver! that was perfect.

i was adjusting all the other straps, but it was the back length thing that needed it the most.once that was sorted, the whole thing just fell into place

now i dont look like such a goober haha cheers!!!

**c0urt** · 11-07-2006, 08:46 AM

good deal, i am a bit of a bag nerd, glad to be of help