How to Measure for a Backpack

A backpack can be an expensive investment, and in order for it to be comfortable, it has to fit right. Whether you are an everyday hiker or a student with a bag full of books, an uncomfortable backpack can put a damper on your day. Two simple measurements will have you on your way to selecting the backpack that is right for you. You will need the help of a friend.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
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Instructions

  1. Measuring Your Torso Length

    • 1

      Locate your C7 vertebra. Tilt your head forward and have a friend find the highest bony part of your spine. It is located at the base of your neck.

    • 2

      Place your hands on the iliac crest at the top of your hips. To find this crest, run your hands down your sides until you feel the first hard bone below your rib cage. Position your hands so your thumbs are pointing toward each other in a straight line across your back.

    • 3

      Have your friend measure from your C7 vertebra to the imaginary line between your thumbs. This distance is your torso length, the primary measurement used by manufacturers to determine pack size. A small pack, for example, generally fits torsos that are 16 inches to 17.5 inches long, while a large pack generally fits torsos that are 20 inches or longer.

    Determining Your Hip Size

    • 4

      Wrap the tape measure around the top of your hips. It should be resting on the pointy bones above the front pockets of your pants.

    • 5

      Mark the number of inches where the tape measure meets itself, forming a circle around your body. This is your hip size.

    • 6

      Adjust the hip belt on the backpack you are trying on and make sure the padded sections rest comfortably on your hips.