Adventure Plans

1. How big do you need?

Pack capacity is measured in litres. For a self-supported multiday hike, you'll typically need:

• 30–45L — lighter kit, mild conditions, hut-to-hut routes where you carry less shelter and food.
• 50–65L — good all-rounder for most three to seven-night trips with camping kit.
• 65L+ — extended trips, colder conditions, or routes where you need to carry a lot of food.

A common mistake is buying the biggest pack you can find. A larger pack can take more weight, but it also invites you to fill it. Start with a 50–60L pack and pack efficiently.

2. Frame types

Almost all packs over 40L have some form of internal frame — usually aluminium stays or a stiff back panel that transfers weight to your hips. This is what allows the pack to stand upright and distribute load properly.

Some lighter "frameless" packs exist, used mostly by ultralight backpackers. They're not the best choice for beginners as they require careful packing technique and don't carry heavy loads as comfortably.

3. Fitting the torso length

Backpacks are sized to torso length, not height. The distance from the top of your hip bone (iliac crest) to the C7 vertebra (the bony bump at the base of your neck) is your torso length. Most packs come in small, medium, and large, and many have adjustable back systems.

Getting this wrong makes carrying any weight deeply uncomfortable, so it's worth going to a specialist outdoor shop and having someone measure you properly before buying.

4. The hip belt carries the weight

This is the most important thing to understand about how a pack works: the vast majority of the weight should sit on your hips, not your shoulders. The shoulder straps stabilise and steady the pack — they shouldn't be doing the heavy lifting.

To achieve this: 1. Put the pack on with the hip belt undone. 2. Position the hip belt so the padded sections sit over your iliac crest (hip bones), not on your waist. 3. Buckle and tighten the hip belt firmly first. 4. Then tighten the shoulder straps snugly — you should feel the pack pulling back slightly. 5. Tighten the load lifter straps (the angled straps connecting the top of the shoulder straps to the pack) to pull the top of the pack in towards you.

When fitted correctly, you should be able to slide your hands under the shoulder straps with mild resistance. If the straps are biting in, they're too tight; if the pack sways with you, they're too loose.

5. Packing order

How you load your pack affects how it carries:

• Bottom — sleeping bag and anything you won't need during the day.
• Middle — heaviest items (food, water, stove, tent body) closest to your back and high in the pack. This keeps the centre of gravity close to your body.
• Top — items you'll need during the day (snacks, rain jacket, first aid, map).
• Hip belt pockets — snacks, phone, small items you want without stopping.
• Lid pocket — valuables, documents, headtorch, anything you need quickly at camp.

Try to avoid hanging too much off the outside of your pack — it shifts weight away from your body and throws off balance.

6. Women-specific packs

Most packs come in both standard and women's versions. Women's packs typically feature a shorter torso length, narrower shoulders, and hip belts shaped for wider hips. If you're female it's always worth trying both and seeing which fits better — it makes a significant difference over a full day of carrying.

7. Testing before you go

Load your pack with roughly the weight you'll carry on trail and walk around in it — ideally on an incline. If anything feels like it's digging in or the pack is pulling you backward, adjust the fit before you're on day one of your hike.