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How To Wear A Backpack Properly and Safely
Look for a Backpack with:
- A padded back – to reduce pressure from digging into your back
- Padded, contoured, adjustable shoulder and chest straps – to reduce pressure and balance the weight
- A waist or hip strap – helps to distribute load to the hips/pelvis and legs
- Compression straps – at the sides or bottom of the bag to help stabilize the contents of the bag
- Reflective material – for visibility at night
- Lightweight material – to reduce overall weight you are carrying
How to Fit Your Backpack:
- Adjust shoulder straps so the backpack does not sag below the bum! The bottom of the backpack should sit in the contour of the low back
- Wear BOTH shoulder straps and ensure the arms can move freely
- Use the hip/waist strap
- Distribute weight of contents evenly within the backpack – keep heaviest items like textbooks closest to your back
- A loaded backpack should weigh no more than 15% of your bodyweight
