When it comes to hiking gear, there\u2019s one piece that can seriously make or break your experience on the trail: your daypack. I\u2019ve tested a lot of daypacks<\/a> over the years\u2014some that felt amazing right out of the box, and others that left me sore, sweaty, and counting the minutes until I could take them off.<\/p>\n What I\u2019ve learned is that comfort has way less to do with a pack\u2019s technical features, and everything to do with how well it actually fits your body.<\/p>\n In this post, I share how to tell if your daypack is a good fit for your body, so you end up with the right-sized pack.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This post may contain affiliate links.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n While you might assume that your overall height determines whether you need a small, medium, or large pack, the right fit is actually determined by your torso length. Having a backpack with the right torso length is the most important factor that determines whether the pack is going to fit well. <\/p>\n My torso is shorter than average, and 20 years ago when I first started hiking, I used unisex packs since there weren\u2019t as many women\u2019s specific packs available. Unisex packs have longer torsos than packs designed specifically for women, and I always had a gap at the top of the shoulder straps. This gap made the pack feel like it was pulling me backwards. Eventually, I figured out that the torso length on unisex packs was way too long for my body.<\/p>\n Women with longer torsos have the opposite issue. Some women\u2019s packs can feel too short, with the hip belt sitting too high on the waist and the shoulder straps feeling overly tight or compressed. If that\u2019s you, you might want to consider a unisex or even a men\u2019s pack depending on your build.<\/p>\n To know what size pack you need, you\u2019ll want to measure your torso. Ideally, you\u2019ll need a soft measuring tape and another person to help.<\/p>\n To measure your torso: <\/p>\n If you don\u2019t have someone to help you, you can go into your local outdoor gear store, and they can measure your torso for you. Once you know your torso length, you can match the pack to the sizing chart on the pack you\u2019re considering. <\/p>\n If you\u2019re at the edge of a size, I recommend sizing up or finding a pack that has an adjustable torso that allows you to move the back panel to the appropriate height. <\/p>\n Enter your email & I’ll send this post to your inbox! You’ll also receive my weekly newsletter full of helpful advice for planning your adventures.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The hip belt isn\u2019t just there to hold the pack in place\u2014it\u2019s what allows the\u00a0weight of your pack to sit on your hips instead of your shoulders, which is essential for staying comfortable on longer hikes.<\/p>\n When the hip belt fits correctly, it wraps snugly (but comfortably) around the top of your hip bones \u2013 not your waist or stomach. When you tighten the hip belt, you should feel the weight shift\u00a0downward, making your upper body feel instantly lighter, taking pressure off your back and shoulders.<\/p>\n If the\u00a0waist size of the pack is too small, the padded part of the hip belt may not even reach the front of your hips. You might be able to buckle it, but the support will come from the strap\u2014not the padding\u2014which causes pressure points and won\u2019t effectively carry the weight. <\/p>\n I have a pretty average waist (I wear a women\u2019s size 8 in pants). I\u2019m not overly curvy, but I\u2019ve still had this issue with some women\u2019s specific packs, especially those designed for shorter torsos like mine. A short torso doesn\u2019t always mean a small waist \u2013 but sometimes backpack designers assume that. <\/p>\n If you\u2019re having trouble finding a waistband that is large enough to wrap around to the front of your hips, consider looking for a plus-sized backpack<\/a>.<\/p>\n On the other hand, if you\u2019re slender, the\u00a0waist size may too big. In this case, you might not be able to cinch it tight enough to get that snug, supportive fit, especially if you\u2019re carrying a lighter load. The pack will feel loose, shift as you move, and put extra strain on your shoulders. Slimmer, less curvy people should look for a more streamlined hip belt without an excessive amount of padding.<\/p>\n Most backpacks will list the range of waist sizes that the pack will accommodate. To determine if a pack will fit your waist properly: <\/p>\n When it comes to how a pack feels on your body, shoulder straps play a big role\u2014especially for women. Here are the two common strap shapes you\u2019ll see:<\/p>\n These are the standard strap shape found on most unisex and men\u2019s packs. They run in a fairly straight line from the top of the pack down your shoulders and along your chest.<\/p>\n These are designed to follow the natural contours of a woman\u2019s body. They curve inward and then outward, offering a more ergonomic fit around the chest and shoulders.<\/p>\n I have a larger chest (36D), so I always look for S-curved shoulder straps. For my body type, they are so much more comfortable!<\/p>\n My favorite pack with S-curved straps is the deuter Trail 28 SL<\/a>, which is specifically tailored for women with shorter torsos and slimmer frames. You can read my full review here<\/a>.<\/p>\n This is my unofficial test: If I\u2019m constantly stopping to tighten, loosen, shift, or unbuckle something, the pack probably doesn\u2019t fit right. A well-fitting pack should feel stable and \u201cdialed in\u201d once you\u2019ve adjusted it the first time. I\u2019ve had packs where I spent half the hike fussing with straps, and that drives me nuts. When it fits well, you shouldn\u2019t have to think about it\u2014it just moves with your body.<\/p>\n Before committing to a pack, throw some weight in it and walk around. It should feel centered, stable, and balanced\u2014not pulling you backward or tipping to one side. If it sways or shifts, that\u2019s a red flag.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve had packs that felt great when empty, but once loaded with day hiking essentials<\/a>, a first aid kit<\/a>, camera gear, and now toddler extras, they started to sag or put weird pressure on my back. A good fit will keep the load evenly distributed across your hips and back, no matter how much you\u2019re carrying. <\/p>\n Once everything is adjusted, your pack should feel like it\u2019s hugging your body\u2014not shifting around or bouncing with every step. <\/p>\n Here are a few red flags I\u2019ve experienced personally\u2014and that you should watch for:<\/p>\nThe Pack\u2019s Torso Length Matches Your Body<\/h2>\n
![\"Kristen](\"https:\/\/bearfoottheory.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/deuter-trail-sl-28-hiking-gear-pack-2-1024x683.jpg\")
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Save this post!<\/h3>\n
The Hip Belt Wraps Snugly Around Your Hip Bones<\/h2>\n
But here\u2019s where waist size comes in\u2026<\/h3>\n
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![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/bearfoottheory.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Maui_Twin-Falls-Trail_Hiking-2-lululemon-1024x683.jpg\")
The Shoulder Straps Sit Flat\u00a0and Don\u2019t Dig into your Upper Body<\/h2>\n
1.\u00a0Straight (or J-Curved) Shoulder Straps<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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2.\u00a0S-Curved (or Women\u2019s-Specific) Shoulder Straps<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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You\u2019re Not Constantly Fidgeting With It<\/h2>\n
![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/bearfoottheory.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Utah_Mount-Nebo_Hiking.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nThe Pack Feels Balanced and Secure<\/h2>\n
How to Tell if a Pack\u00a0Doesn\u2019t<\/em>\u00a0Fit<\/h2>\n