Outfitter 4600 Pack: Loading and Fitting a Multi-Day Backpack

Quick answer

Load the Outfitter 4600 by placing heavy items close to your spine and centered between your shoulder blades, then adjust the torso, shoulder, and waist straps in this order: waist belt first, shoulder straps second, load lifters last. Test the fit with a full pack before you hit the trail.

Step-by-step loading and fitting

1. Start with an empty pack and set the torso length: Loosen all straps, put the pack on, and adjust the torso panel so the shoulder straps curve over your shoulders and the hip belt sits on your hip bones. Common mistake: setting torso length while the pack is loaded, which makes it hard to judge the fit. Check that the hip belt covers your hip bones, not your waist.
2. Load heavy items close to your spine: Place dense gear like food, stove, and water filter in the middle of the main compartment, centered between your shoulder blades. Put lighter items like sleeping bag and clothes at the bottom and top. Common mistake: putting heavy items at the bottom, which pulls the pack down and strains your shoulders. A quick test: the pack should feel balanced when you lift it by the haul loop.
3. Use the sleeping bag compartment for light bulk: Stuff your sleeping bag into the bottom compartment, but keep heavy items out of it. Common mistake: cramming a heavy tent or food bag into the sleeping bag compartment, which throws off weight distribution. Reserve the sleeping bag compartment for light, bulky items only.
4. Tighten the hip belt first: With the pack on, fasten the hip belt and tighten it so it wraps your hips snugly. The hip belt should carry most of the weight. Common mistake: tightening shoulder straps before the hip belt, which puts the load on your shoulders. You should feel the pack's weight on your hips, not your shoulders.
5. Adjust shoulder straps and load lifters: Tighten the shoulder straps until they curve over your shoulders without gaping, then adjust the load lifters (the small straps at the top of the shoulder straps) to pull the pack closer to your back. Common mistake: over-tightening load lifters, which can make the pack feel stiff and restrict movement. The shoulder straps should carry only a small portion of the load.
6. Fine-tune with a full pack on a short walk: Before your trip, walk around with the loaded pack for a few minutes and make small adjustments to the hip belt, shoulder straps, and load lifters. Common mistake: waiting until you're on the trail to adjust, when discomfort is harder to fix. Make final adjustments at home, not on the trail.

Product facts

• Outfitter 4600: 75L capacity with adjustable torso, shoulders, and waist belt. The adjustable fit lets you dial in comfort for multi-day loads, and the large capacity gives room for gear without overstuffing.