Tips and Safety

Walking with a weighted backpack requires strength, flexibility, and balance. Please consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new fitness programs, including rucking or walking with a weighted backpack.

• A safe amount of weight: We recommend carrying no more than 1/3 of your bodyweight on your back and usually recommend that beginners start with 20 lbs. You can always add weight as you get stronger and our bags are built to make adding weight easy. Being safe and preventing injury are paramount to having a great time and seeing results. Don't be a hero and push yourself into hurting yourself. 
• Getting the Backpack on: Be careful putting on and taking off the backpack whenever it has a weight or load in it. The safest way to do so is to pick up the pack from the floor and place it on a couch or chair. Then sit down in front of it and loop your arms through the shoulder straps. Tighten the shoulder straps so they're snug. Then stand up using your legs.
• Taking the Backpack off: Similarly to putting the backpack on, be careful taking it off. One of our favorite ways to take the backpack off is the reverse of putting it on. Sit down your couch or in a chair with the backpack on and then loosen the shoulder straps so you can pull your arms loose.

Don't have a couch or chair available when you want to put the backpack on or take it off? Check out this great video from REI on how safely put on and remove your pack in the field.