Ok so here is the proper procedure for putting on your backpack or so I’ve been told by every retailer. On a side note, what I have also been told was that the proper way to put a hipbelt on is to have the middle of the hipbelt wrap around the top of your iliac crest.
#1 Put hipbelt around waist, lock, tighten.
#2 Pull lower shoulder straps to secure pack on shoulders and chest area.
#3 Pull straps above shoulders to secure the pack on your upper back.
#4 Lock sternum strap to keep shoulder pads centered.
#5 Adjust outside hipbelts that extend towards the back of the pack (optional.)
And then when your ready to take it of you follow the reverse order. Do me a favor though, put your pack on and adjust it to your body like you normally would. Once you have done this unsnap the buckle on your hipbelt and leave everything else the way it is, tight and secured.
Here is where the poll into play. Slightly loosen the hipbelt buckle so you can snap it on again. Now, without lifting your pack or shifting your body around, go to buckle the buckle.
Where does the buckle end up wrapping around?
Is it slightly below where you started off at, in other words is it no longer at the top of the iliac crest, but slightly underneath it.
or
Is it slightly above where you stared off at.
or
Is it exactly where it was resting before, the middle of the belt resting over the top of the iliac crest.
I am trying to figure out what percent of you guys let your bags sag on your hips slightly, what percent have your pack adjusted on a neutral level, and what percent of you have your packs ride high.
If you could participle in this poll, I would really appreciate it. I also think a lot of others who are trying to figure what an ideal fit for a backpack feels like could also benefit. Thank you very much.
