BACKPACK CONCEPTS
A backpack should primarily fit on the back. It should be as easy to carry as possible and still offer enough space for your equipment. However, “one size fits all” doesn’t exist. That is why BACH offers different volumes, back lengths and models with adapted components (hipbelt, shoulder straps, packing bag).
A. The approach of steady & heavy loads
Traditionally, hipbelts were padded very rigidly, fastened as stiffly as possible to the packsack and braced like a barn door. The very firm fit of the hipbelt is often an advantage with loads over 25kg and in rather gentle terrain.
However, since the body wants to twist against the backpack when walking, a fixed hipbelt leads to lateral swinging of the load in the shoulder area and often to abrasion points on the hip bones.
B. The dynamic approach
The movement of the hip and the twisting of the upper body (torsion) should also be possible when the bag is loaded.
With every step, your upper body slightly twists against your hips. When walking, your hips move sideways as well as forwards and backwards. BACH constructs the back system in such a way that does not interfere with the dynamics of your movements. With normal loads in the trekking range (15-25kg) and on uneven terrain, the advantages of the dynamic approach clearly outweigh the downsides: the load is better balanced on the back. For heavier loads, it can be advantageous to be able to further fasten the hipbelt.
LOAD LIFTERS
The load lifters perform two functions:
- Stabilise your load and prevent the pack from falling backwards
- Take some weight off your shoulders and transfer it to the hipbelt
The correct size of your backpack is determined by the angle of the load lifters to your shoulders. On the other hand, this angle depends on the activity you’ll be doing with your backpack. The heavier the pack, the bigger the angle needs to be to perform the above functions. However, the bigger the angle of the load lifters, the less headroom you get. Therefore, we differentiate between (1) Trail | Travel and (2) Trekking | Travel.
INDIVIDUAL FITTING
Bending the aluminium stay
Adjustable HDPE framesheet with aluminium 6082-TF stay: To further improve the fit of your pack you may bend the aluminium stay. Use pliers to take the stay out of your pack without removing the HDPE framesheet. The stay should follow the
contour of your back in a slightly bent forward position.
Trekking Series: 2 different shoulder straps:
Men: long, straight | Women: shorter, more contoured
Trekking Series: 4 different sizes of hipbelts:
Men = M | Women = S
PROPERLY ADJUST YOUR BACKPACK
Put some weight into your BACH pack. Slightly loosen the upper and lower load control straps. Put the pack on your shoulders and slowly tighten the shoulder straps until your pack feels comfortable. If you fasten the hipbelt now it will hug your hips nicely. To distribute more weight to your hips, you may loosen the shoulder straps slightly. Position the sliders of the load lifters slightly in front of your shoulder. The load lifters stabilise your load and prevent the pack from falling backwards. For best results, tighten the load lifters slightly. You may (on uneven terrain) or may not (on even terrain) want to tighten the lower load control straps for a firmer fit of the hipbelt.
1. Set shoulder straps
By adjusting the shoulder straps (or exchanging them for another size) you’re able to make two major modifications: varying their length and setting the angle between the two straps around your neck.
A. M.A.D.
Pull out the yellow straps from behind the lumbar pad and loosen the 25mm buckles. Set the shoulder harness 10-20mm below the highest possible position. If you are a small or slim person you may want to set
the shoulder straps lower down or higher up if you have a larger build. Tighten the yellow straps and tuck them away.
Check: when correct the shoulder harness sits 10-20mm below the highest possible position.
B. Expedition
The clip-in harness can easily be adjusted at the given positions.
2. Insert hipbelt
Insert the hipbelt behind the lumbar pad and anchor in the lowest position. Connect the lower load control straps to the 25mm buckles.
3. Chest strap
To reduce pressure points on shoulders and arms, close the chest strap. For easy breathing you may have to slide the chest strap up or down.
STEP 1
MEASURE YOUR TORSO LENGTH
From the middle of the hip bone (iliac crest) to the “C7” neck bone (you feel it best when you put your chin on your chest).
STEP 2
PREFERRED HIPBELT POSITION
STEP 3
1+2 = YOUR TORSO INDEX
Check your corresponding pack size
A few comments on this
1. This approach is meant as a general guide for you to find the size of backpack based on your specific needs.
2. Our packs will be in your life for quite a while. It’s best to try one before you buy one to be sure it fits your back.
3. If you are unsure which back length will fit you best, opt for the larger size of the backpack (especially for large volume backpacks).