how to pack a rucksack egonomically

“I am working on a project to try and determine the best ways to pack a rucksack so that it is most comfortable and reduces injury. If anyone has tips you use to help make your pack more comfortable (such as tightening vertical cinch straps to raise the weight up higher) they would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance!”

“I'll bet there's a few here who are willing to give ego-nomic pointers!!”

“I would say keep it snug as possible and don't overload.

Having nothing poking into your back, a old foam sleeping pad, cut to fit to back of the bag will work wonders. Also extra padding and maybe width on the shoulder straps to help carry the load.

My experience with rucksack's is that they lack the room to carry alot, provided little if any support or comfort and the shoulder straps have always been unpadded. Old school cotton canvas bags.”

“Thanks for the response so far. I think I should clarify what I'm trying to do a little more. This is a project to try and instruct US Army soldiers in packing their rucksack for marches to distribute the weight in a comfortable manner and pack things so that they're in the best possible place. Keep in mind that we can't change any of the actual hardware of the pack itself. Thanks for all your help! :)”

“I put something soft against the side that is against my back; gasoline in outside pockets; items I'll be accessing on the trail (sunblock, hat, snacks, windbreaker,water) in outside pockets or easily accessible; heavy items behind my shoulder blades, or as high as I can get them, and close to my back; items I won't need till camp deep in the pack; hang my camera from my pack, not from my neck. I try to have things set up to be able to do as many minor tasks as possible without stopping, or without taking off the pack, like putting on sunglasses, sunblock, getting a snack, drinking water, putting on a hat, taking a photo.”

“Since you are doing this with the Army in mind, It is essential to place all mission related items in the same identical place in the rucksacks of all your troops. Why? Because if a troop gets shot, and must be left, you must be able to find the items critical to the mission while under fire,in the dark, etc....so Rounds for the Mortar are placed in the main, ammunition for the SAW is placed on the outside Right, Batteries for the Radio are always in the top flap pocket etc.....as for the Ergonomics, with a military ruck, the higher the ruck is carried, the more top heavy you become, It needs the center of mass placed as high on the shoulders as possible without extending above the base of the neck, or below the bottom of the ribcage; Exhibit the placement of the Radio Pocket of the Ruck...outside strap-ons should be kept to a minimum unless additional cargo pockets are utilized, (Allows for equal weight distribution across the torso, and removes many snag points that may catch the ruck on obstacles...Not to mention the Aero dynamics envolved when the ruck is carried suspended from a parachute harness.”

“Those rucksacks are very durable but built ALL wrong.

I've observed many troops who disregard the waist strap.
This is mostly because it conflicts with the web/pistol belt with its canteens and ammo pouches.

The waist strap doesn't quite qualify as a hip belt but MUST be used as such.
It is important, unless one just wants to prove their toughness
with a punishing rucksack, that as much weight be carried on the hips.

I liked to configure the web gear so that the waist strap would ride above the pistol belt with the canteens in "six-gun" arrangement NOT behind the back.
This allowed me to tighten the belt ONTO my upper pelvis.

It is also important to keep the weight as close to the back as possible and a bit high.

Good luck!”

“When the other troops aren't looking put rocks in the bottom of their rucksacks. Then you'll be the most comfortable and strongest one of the bunch.

Hey, it always worked on the fire lines...”