How to Put a Rucksack Together

Carry your gear on a hike or trip into the back country in a rucksack. A rucksack can fit a pretty hefty number of items, but assembling the pack correctly so it stays on the frame and is comfortable to wear is the key to success. The number of straps and buckles on a pack can make it confusing to assemble. Assemble your rucksack in no time and be ready to head out.

Things You'll Need

  • MOLLE type rucksack frame
  • Pack for your frame
  • Multitool
Show More

Instructions

  1. Shoulder Harness

    • 1

      Place the frame on a flat surface, with the side that will be against your body facing up.

    • 2

      Lay the strap assembly on top of the frame with the shoulder straps facing up and the webbing straps facing the frame.

    • 3

      Turn over the frame and shoulder strap assembly at the same time making sure the two stay together. Make sure the top webbing straps are lined up at the outer shoulder with the holes in the frame to which they will be attached.

    • 4

      Unbuckle the bottom strap on one shoulder harness and loosen the Velcro on the webbing. There should be two flat oblong holes at the bottom right-side corner of the frame. The strapping should line up next to the holes just as it does at the top. Thread the webbing through the first hole, lifting it through the frame from the bottom.

    • 5

      Bring the buckle end of the same strap up and around the middle frame support section. Bring the strap over to the buckle. Slide it through both rings, then over the top of the first ring and down under the second to secure it. Pull the strap tight and secure the Velcro that holds the end in place to the other section of strap. Don't overtighten if you are carrying a heavy load. Repeat the strap attachment for the left-side bottom strap.

    • 6

      Follow the same process for both sets of top straps. You should now have four straps that attach the harness to the frame -- one at each top and bottom corner -- that stretch horizontally through the frame holes and strap buckles.

    • 7

      Bring the bottom center strap end up through the hole in the bottom center of the frame. This strap is attached to the harness in a "Y" shape that also is sewn to the two bottom side straps. Buckle this strap and secure the Velcro as you did the others. This one should be tight and secure with no slack. Tuck the loose end of the strap back down through the strap hole in the frame to keep it from flapping around.

    Waist Belt

    • 8

      Place the waist support belt beneath the frame at the bottom, and line up the straps with the holes on the side of the frame just as you did for the shoulder harness.

    • 9

      Attach the top strap set first. Slide the strap through the hole on the side of the frame using the bottom hole, and from the outside of the frame through to the inside. Do the same on the opposite side.

    • 10

      Thread the strap through the buckles on the waist belt that are inside the center of the frame. Repeat these steps for the other side and the bottom set of straps. Tighten the straps so there is no slack, but do not tighten excessively.

    • 11

      Slip the tail ends of the straps back into the top section of the buckle to secure it and keep them from flapping.

    The Pack

    • 12

      Lay the pack on your flat surface with the straps and buckles facing up. Put the frame on top of the pack, with the side with the shoulder harness facing up, just as it would be if you were wearing it.

    • 13

      Line up the straps with the holes on the sides of the pack frame. Thread the strap on the top corners first, feeding the strap up through the hole in the frame, out and back to then through the buckle. Put the tail end of the strap back through the top section of the buckle, then tuck it down through a hole in the pack to hide the slack end. Do the same for both top corners.

    • 14

      Push the plastic D-ring side straps up through the second hole on the side of the frame. There should be two on each side. These are very short straps with the plastic or composite D-ring on the end that pops through the frame hole. Use the multitool if the rings are tough to push through the holes.

    • 15

      Attach the shoulder straps to the top corner of the frame by pushing the D-ring on the shoulder strap assembly end through the top hole on each side of the frame.

    • 16

      Slide the bottom section of the shoulder strap assembly through the hole between the two waist support belt straps. Pull the strap through, make a loop and slip the end of the strap through the loop and pull it tight. Then tuck the slack through a hole into the underside of the pack to keep them from trailing down and catching on anything.