TIL I was packing my backpack wrong for 5 years

Was on a 3-day trip in the Smokies last month. My shoulders were killing me by mile 2. A guy at a shelter pointed out my hip belt was sitting way too low. It was practically around my waist instead of on my hip bones. Adjusted that thing and it felt like 20 pounds just disappeared. Anyone else make that dumb mistake for way too long?

2 comments

2 Comments

eva2431mo ago

Got a buddy who hiked the Appalachian Trail and he wore his pack like a garbage bag for the first 200 miles. Some old timer finally showed him how to tighten the hip belt right. Changed his whole trip.

stellabennett1mo ago

Oh man, the "garbage bag" thing is so real lmao. I did the same thing on my first big trip in the Smokies. I had my pack hanging off my shoulders like a hunchback for like three days before this guy at a shelter was like "dude, your hip belt should be taking most of the weight." Once I cranked it down it felt like I was carrying a backpack full of pillows lol. Such a simple thing but it makes or breaks the whole hike.