CUSTOMER SERVICE / PACK FIT GUIDE

Pack Frame Size
• Correct frame size for your body size is the most important factor in pack fitting.
• Sizes Short, Regular, and Tall refer only to the user’s back length, not to the pack volume. Do not select the frame size based upon the pack volume.


Pack frame sizes Small, Medium and Tall.

Pack Sizing Chart - Click Here to view/download PDF Document

Measuring Your Back Length
• Measure along the spine between the 7th cervical vertebra and the level of the hip Iliac crest.
• Compare this measurement to the Arc’teryx Measurement Charts Above
• If a measurement falls between 2 sizes it is usually better to go with the smaller of the two sizes.
• It is possible to interchange different size shoulder strap and hipbelt components on many Arc’teryx Packs.


Correct back length measurement.

Hipbelt Sizing
• Locate the Iliac Crest, (the top of the most prominent point of the hipbone) and measure around the hips on this point.
• When the hipbelt is properly centered on the hip crest and tightened, the ends of the pads should extend at least 3 inches past the hip crest.


Correct hipbelt sizing.

Bora Series Shoulder Straps
• The shoulder straps should contour smoothly and be in contact throughout the entire length of the shoulder strap padding.
• The adjustment buckle at the lower end of the shoulder strap should be positioned roughly even with the centre of the armpit.


Correct shoulder strap positioning.

Bending and Shaping the Frame Stays
• Most stays can be accessed through Velcro flaps inside the main compartment.
• For single stay packs, you must position the stay across the shoulder blade area to determine proper curve.
• For Packs with 2 stays, the stays are splayed outward at the top across the area of the shoulder blade.
• Try placing the frame stay in the hipbelt pocket and wear the hipbelt. With a helper, bend it a bit at a time to match the contours of your back.


Shaping the aluminum frame stays to match the contours of the back.

Fine Tuning: Hipbelt Angle/Flare
• fine tuning of the angle of flare is possible by adjusting the angle at which the 2-inch webbing exits the front of the padding. Most women require slightly more flare than men (angle at which the belt sits on the hips.


Correct h ipbelt flare angles for women and men.

Fine Tuning: Load Lifters
• The purpose of the load lifters is to slightly lift the shoulder straps from the shoulders, not to bring the pack in against the back. The ideal angle for the load lifter straps is 45 degrees, however, an angle of 30 to 60 degrees is quite acceptable.
• Minimum tension is required for each strap to do its job if the pack is correctly adjusted.


Range of acceptable load lifter strap angles.

Fine Tuning: Load Stabilizers
• ARC’TERYX backpacks feature pivoting hipbelts or Load Transfer Discs (Maia and Naos), which allow the hips to move freely without transferring movement to the pack. Depending upon terrain, the amount of movement can be adjusted by tightening or loosening the hipbelt load stabilizer strap.


Hipbelt stabilizer strap.

Fine Tuning: Bora 95 Load Transfer Adjustment
• This direct frame-to-hipbelt system transfers the weight to the sides of the hips, allowing a more upright hiking position. The load transfer is adjusted via two straps that connect the load transfer rods to the hipbelt. Tightening the straps increases forward load transfer while releasing the straps allows hipbelt movement.


Bora 95 load transfer adjustment straps and support rods.

Correct Loading of a Pack
• Load heavier items as close to the frame of the pack as possible
• For moderate terrain load heavier items higher in the pack
• For more stability over uneven terrain, load heavier items lower in the pack. Items of lower density such as sleeping bags and spare clothing should be used to pad out the load and prevent shifting.


Pack loading diagram for moderate and uneven terrain.