The most important thing to do is: TRYand FIT! Do this with several different brands of internal and external packs - try the packs with WEIGHT in them! All packs feel good empty! If possible, bring your stuff to a store (packed neatly in stuff sacks, don't forget to simulate food weight), and actually "pack" the pack there. If you can't bring your own stuff, then use something from the store. Many outdoor shops have weights especially for this.

After you've packed the pack, "Hike" the loaded pack around the store at least 1/2 hour. You'll know, if anything starts to pull, tug, chafe, or needs adjusting (external packs "ride" higher than internals, you should feel the difference). Most salespeople (especially in outdoor specialty shops) won't mind this and will help you, but some salespeople are resistant to shoppers "pakin' and hikin", or don't really know how to "fit and pack" a pack. If they won't allow you to try the pack in the store, go somewhere else, even if you are fitting packs in a store, but planning to mail order the "right" pack for you. Don't be bullied into thinking that a pack will be ok when you hike a trail.

Pack sizes are best determined by torso length, not the height of your body. Just because you and your friend are the same height does not mean that your pack size will be the same. You can be the same height as your friend, but have longer legs and a shorter torso.

Better pack manufacturers will state how it's size is proper for what torso lengths. Measure your torso by using a soft tape measure, having someone measure your spine, from the 7th vertebrae (the bump at the base of your neck), to the point on your spine, in between the points of your hipbones (usually around to top of your back pocket on your jeans). Generally, an extra small torso is about 16 inches, a very large one, 21 inches.

Not all manufacturers will state the size of their packs in relationship to torso size. If the pack you are looking at is by one of these manufacturers, you can use the following chart as a guideline for finding the right size pack.

These sizes are for men and women, but remember, women's shoulder harness and hip belts are cut slightly different. To achieve comfort, you must first achieve fit!