For treks that last several days, it is not uncommon to carry bag packs that are more than 15 kg. It is important to use the right technique so as not to strain your back or rip your backpack strap off in the process.

Elevated support

If there is an elevated support such as ledge/step/bar that is about your waist level, lift your backpack with your hands on both straps onto the support. Put your hands through the straps and lift the backpack off the support.

No external support

In most circumstances, your backpack is on the ground and there is no ledge or bench to elevate the backpack. In this case, you will need to use your knee as the support.

1. Bend one knee forward, with your hands on both straps and keeping your back relatively straight, slide the backpack onto your knee.
2. Keeping the backpack balanced on your knee, use your hand furthest from the backpack to hold onto the backpack by its strap.
3. Bend and twist your body sideways and forward to slide the hand nearest to the backpack through the further strap and use that hand to swing the backpack onto your back which is maintained at a slightly bent angle such that the backpack is supported on your back.
4. Put your other hand through the other strap.

Outdoors Advice