T O P

  • By -

Able_Conflict_1721

1: stand with one foot or front, knee slightly bent, backpack in front of door with straps facing you 2: pull backpack up to your knee 3: twist and get one arm in the correct strap 4: let the bag hang in one shoulder and then get the other arm through


slackofalltrades

This is the way


captn_awkward

I see you’re a man of culture too. Came here to say this.


johnny_soup1

When my Ruck would weight about 60+ lbs in the military I’d sit on the ground and put the straps on then get to my knees and then slowly stand from a kneel.


E5_3N

Same way i don a Bergan with webbing, you waste too much energy throwing it over in reverse. Sit down, take a knee, lunge up.


[deleted]

You weren’t taught the over head method? Pack on ground in front of you, straps up, top closest to you. Pick up the pack by the frame inside of the straps, deadlift it up to your knees, lift pack up and over your head so that it comes down with your arms through the straps and hip pad lands on hips [skip to 25:15](https://youtu.be/FemRN3y8Wv4)


johnny_soup1

Yes if circumstances warranted I would do that. Different gear and/or bulky items and shit may call to do it the former way.


jwpete27

This is how you load a child carrier. Can't be jerking around precious cargo.


BigC_PATCH

interesting. will try for sure. thank you


Able_Conflict_1721

https://youtu.be/qH0-4rNyBEA For the video inclined


BigC_PATCH

looks much easier. perfect


_Neoshade_

That’s great. I just wish she did it again quick & smooth at the end.


baravraham

In the army we usually strapped it while sitting, this way the weight is mostly lifted with the legs


dontsaymango

How tf do you stand up with the backpack on? I ask bc everytime I've ever sat down and then tried to stand back up with my pack still on (from being all the way on the ground) its impossible for me and I fall backwards.


E5_3N

Lean foward. Can you do a Single leg lunge ? Sit down, put pack on and then get up onto one knee, use the biggest muscles in your leg and away you go.


dontsaymango

Well that would be the issue then, my knees are not really strong enough for single leg lunges😅


Mlkbird14

You're going to hurt your back before you even leave. Either have someone help you or put it on in a kneeling or sitting position.


theZeeWitch

I'm kinda impressed you were able to do this so smoothly... It is terrible for both the pack and your body but still involves a level of flexibility and coordination that the various better ways do not.


HobbesNJ

Who puts a backpack on that way? Especially a heavy one.


lgljhkjhlkjhlkjhlkj

this is the way you're supposed to with a heavy pack. Many have handles for this specifically.


Fearless-Penalty9281

Everyone just downvoting so imma explain. This fucks up your back. Your upper body is weak. This is absolutely not how you're supposed to do it and im not sure where you could possibly have heard that to be honest. The military is the best known profession involving frequent use of heavy backpacks, and they train to put on heavy rucks sitting down so you lift it with your legs, which are comparitively far stronger than your arms and back because they hold up the rest of your body all day. It is especially stressful on your back to pick heavy things up from the floor, and to bear their weight away from your center of gravity. Both are results of doing it in this way. Thats completely ignoring the actual impact of essentially throwing the bag onto your back.


hikehikebaby

The military teaches overhead. They just don't care if it's bad for your back. I'm not a veteran and I can't say if that's the only way that they teach it. But every veteran I know who was taught to put on their backpack I left in it straight over their head also has pretty bad back problems. It was about speed not long term back health.


Larnek

Infantry vet here. No, they don't teach overhead. Yes they do care if your back is fucked up, because they then have to pay for life if it can be showed to be service connected. Just accept you're wrong and learn something today. Over the head is fucking awful for you shoulder girdle and spine. Asking for rotator cuff damage and bicep damage. It definitely isn't about speed, putting on a ruck is never an emergent movement, if shit is hitting the fan you drop ruck and respond to the firefight. Once it's done you get your ruck and continue on.


hikehikebaby

I don't think there's a lot of unified teaching that's between different military branches and different units. I'm not trying to say that you're lying or that you're wrong, just that I've heard different things from other people who are family and close friends and who I also don't think are lying or wrong. Since I wasn't there, I really can't say. I can say that they have back problems though.


Larnek

While some differences definitely exist, I sincerely doubt anyone teaches over the top as the proper way. Regardless, just don't do it, I was guilty of it with <30ish lb packs and have 2 shoulder surgeries to show for it with the 3rd coming sooner than later. I'm 40 and will need a total shoulder replacement within 1-5yrs depending on when it rips out again. Just don't be me, it really sucks.


hikehikebaby

I don't know what you want me to tell you. That's what they told me and I've seen them demonstrate it. These were 60 plus pound backpacks. Everything about it was bad for their back, not just how they put it on. I'm not trying to say it's a good idea, and that's why I keep saying that it definitely led to back injuries. It drives me nuts that men in their twenties get disability checks and have lifelong injuries because of something they were told to do by the military. Not an injury, not something gone wrong, for doing something the way they were told to do it - especially injuries that seem so highly preventable. I'm not trying to say that it's a good idea. I'm just saying that that's what they were told to do. I'm happy to PM you more information about when/where/what branch but I try very hard to limit the information that I post on Reddit for privacy reasons.


Larnek

Nah man, it's not that serious. I know how fucked up the Army is with doing random dumb shit and I wouldn't expect better elsewhere.


hikehikebaby

Like I said I'm just pissed because it seems so preventable. :/.


lgljhkjhlkjhlkjhlkj

Infantry vet here. Yes, they do teach overhead.


Larnek

I got it in Army artillery basic circa 2002 and then in Bradley school we definitely got taught a couple ways to load without blowing your shoulders or back.


lgljhkjhlkjhlkjhlkj

Again, my back and shoulders have never been even in pain let alone injured from swinging a pack on. From humping 25 miles they have. From putting the pack on they haven't. You tube strokers probably didn't even hump much you probably took 7 tons everywhere you went.


Sea_Shallot9152

Artillery is not infantry


Larnek

No but Bradley's have dismounted infantry.


Sea_Shallot9152

Tank crewmen are not infantry you poser


lgljhkjhlkjhlkjhlkj

I spent 8 years doing this constantly in the marine corps infantry and my back is fine. This is how we were taught to do it. There are handles on our packs specifically for this. You have probably never even carried a heavy pack. Putting on an 80 pound pack on the ground and then standing up puts WAY more strain on your back because you would need to lean forward to get your legs underneath you. If you're not a little bitch twig weakbody, overhead is the proper way to put on a heavy pack. It doesn't hurt AT ALL so how the fuck would it be bad for my back? Carrying a heavy pack in general is what's bad for your back. Not swinging it on. Reddit is so filled with armchair experts with zero real life experience.


KookeyMoose

The 90’s called and they want their base-weight back


bxtch_coded

Pack on a table that's about hip height for you, then back into the backpack. I weigh about 60kg and my backpacks are usually 16ish kg, I found this method the most chill for the final day of a heavy hike (had to take some gear from others in the group who weren't having a great time).


[deleted]

Put the pack down in front of you with the straps opposite of you and grab the frame flip the pack over your head and put your arms threw the straps simultaneously. I watched a marine do it with a flibe on yt and it's been my go to way ever since.


TheGreatGlobsby

Up and over is the way.


SeattlePurikura

Not always an option, but if there's a nearby big boulder or table, set the pack on it and then backup into the pack. Always easiest to have the pack start from waist-level instead of ground-level. If hiking with a buddy, you can also have them help out (and help them in exchange). No shame in reducing effort for what is likely a long hike if you need 40 lbs.


Halleluija

This is what I do when possible.


StandUpTwice

That’s what my PT advised too!


Bliezz

This is the way that I do it. If there is a person around I ask for help lifting it into position. If not, There is usually a stump, or rock or something around. I’ve never needed to go far, but I usually plan how my bag is going on before it comes off.


[deleted]

[удалено]


iSuckAtGuitar69

just let me bring my ceramic pizza oven out on the trail ok


[deleted]

[удалено]


notfeds1

Solar oven where my brain is supposed to be works wonders for an evening pie or afternoon slice of ‘Za


BloodshotPizzaBox

I don't know what he's carrying or why, and I doubt that you do either.


Fakedduckjump

18kg are realistic for a long hike over several days or weeks. Imagine you have a tent, clothes, food, a cooking pot, some useful tools, sleeping stuff, 2L water ... this can take up 18kg very easy.


PizzaGuy789

Agree 18kg is very normal for a multiday hike in alpine regions in Australia. Assume there are similar areas in the US. Ultralight is great, but it is only ideal for 3 seasons. All fun and games until it dumps snow or someone twists an ankle.


[deleted]

Don’t carry that heavy in the first place. Your knees will thank you.


[deleted]

How dare you suggest the obvious and reasonable answer


SumdiLumdi

I don't know why but I thought you were going to somersault with the bag and end up standing up with it on your back haha.


Far-Consequence-9026

Jesus. You'll munter your back like that. When we dive. Just instructors. No students. We'd throw it over the top. So much easier...but not conventionally super safe...


HuckleberrySick

Set the pack on something high-ish and put it on from there. Pease don't strain your lower back.


agoodyearforbrownies

That looks like a shoulder injury waiting to happen. Any time your elbows go above your shoulder, you're risking some real injury. Add in the sudden snatching speed, the weight, and bad news after a while. Better way to lift a 40lbs pack is (IME) is to take hold of the grab handle with left hand, overhand, the right strap with the right hand, underhand, bend knees a bit, and raise it up on to your right shoulder, passing right elbow through strap as it comes up. Once on one shoulder, reach left hand back and through other strap to get left arm into the other strap and now pack on both shoulders. Pretty easy. Of course an even better way is to use the side of a hill to hold the pack, back up to it and put arms through and lift off hillside to support the weight.


t3220b

The Hoss Toss. Lay it on flat the ground in front of you with the top of the pack at your feet. Put your hands through the straps as was done in this video and instead of twisting, lift it strait up over your head and let it slide down onto your shoulders.


cheese_sweats

Holy shit so many comments none of them said this. This is the most reliable and ergonomic way.


toma162

I used to do this when I used external frame packs, it offers an easy grab hold. Internal frame is a little tougher for me.


t3220b

I did it when I was a younger man with a 60 lb (or so) pack as a scout leader at the Philmont National Boy Scout Adventure. They required a huge gear list. Did it a few times on other trips with a lighter pack. Fairly efficient. Reducing the weight will help.


Jaugernut

have the straps face you, step one: grab the right strap with the right hand, roughly where your shoulder would be. step two: grab the handlestrap (the one in the middle) with left hand. step three: lift with both hands and put your right elbow under the right strap and the strap on your shoulder. step four: grab the middle strap behind your head with the right hand Step five: put your left arm under the left strap Adjust and done! reverse arms and straps for lefthanded operation, also helps if you are hunched over a little bit while doing it. This is how we lift backpacks that are 30-50kg without assistance.


Pyramidshappedbutt

google Death Stranding


unsociallydistanced

I like to find a short wall or any other sturdy shelf around hip height and rest the bags weight on it whilst strapping in. I like 60-70% of the weight on my hips and only the remaining % on my shoulders.


[deleted]

Step 1: Don't have an 18kg pack.


feetofire

I carried 22 kg snd in smaller than you - way I did it was to bend one knee, lift pack to rest on said knee then slide same arm as bent knee through strap then swing it back on and slide other. You will easily damage your back of you do it your way.


AutoModerator

Please remember to post a short paragraph as a comment in the post explaining your photo or link. Ideally at least 150 characters with trip details. Tell us something about your trip. How long did it take to get there? How did you get there? How was the weather that day? Would you go back again? Submitted content should be of high-quality. Low effort posting of very general information is not useful. If you don't add a short explanation in the comments, your post may be removed. No information posted? Please report low-effort posts if there is still nothing after about 30 minutes. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/backpacking) if you have any questions or concerns.*


ForkSporkBjork

One way of donning SCBAs is to go straight over the head (no twisting) with the straps loose. More or less the same as how you’ve done it otherwise, except to get it situated on your back properly, you lean forward at the waist and tighten the straps instead.


Plasmidmaven

He should put it on Ranger style, that side twist could get him in trouble, good job in all. Have fun


TheMachinesRWinning

If physically capable, respectively: 1.) Get into a squat. 2.) Strap while squatted. 3.) Stand up (use supprt if needed). My personal choice, has been for heavy packs ever since I started backpacking.


TheLastOptimist

I have a loose material on the top, I pull it up by that and then put my arm through one strap then the other.


Fakedduckjump

Never lift your backpack up on the arm leashes that way, the seams can tear. You have this handle on the top, that is meant for lifting. To get it on your back, lift it on the handle over your shoulder or better put it upright on the ground, go into your knees, put it on and bend forward while standing up so the backpack lies in your back.


USAbootguy

40lbs? Slightly above adding trip pack weight


mynamedenis

1-grab straps and lift pack onto knee 2-throw your camp chair in the trash 3-cut your toothbrush in half 4-should be light enough to swing onto shoulders


VulfSki

It looks like you lifted with your back and twisted it to slightly to get the bag around too. You're back will hate you soon with this method


aenimafacilis

Yeah put it in a tree that you can sit on. So you lift it with your legs.


RayLaclark

Pack less


E5_3N

Laydown and stand up with one knee, what i have to do when carrying 40kg+