Fit & Comfort

We've got your back.

Everything depends on how the backpack feels on your back. BACH suspension systems are built to suit different purposes; based on the weight you carry and the way you'll use the pack. 

Suspension-Systems

Get to know the back of your pack.

Expedition

For most adventures the EXPEDITION Suspension System, which is built on a modular base, is the back system of your choice. The EXPEDITION backs come in up to 4 different back lengths and can be fitted with men’s or women’s (height-adjustable) shoulder straps and up to 3 sizes of hip belts. Suitable for medium and heavy loads up to 35 kg.

Load Weight 

  • < 35 kg

Packs with this system

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Aluminium 6082-TF-Stay
Foam (thickness and specification of foam check Detail description of each suspension system)
HDPE-framesheet (High Density Poly Ethylene)
HDPE-framesheet (High Density Poly Ethylene)
(Mesh-)Sidepocket

Expedition Lite

The non-adjustable suspension for medium to heavy loads. The BACH EXPEDITION LITE Back is our most lightweight Trekking suspension system. It comes with sewn-on shoulder straps. Suitable for medium and heavy loads up to 25 kg.

Load Weight 

  • < 25 kg

Packs with this system

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Aluminium 6082-TF-Stay
HDPE-framesheet (High Density Poly Ethylene)
Foam (thickness and specification of foam check Detail description of each suspension system)

M.A.D.

The M.A.D. (Most Advanced Design) is able to manage even the weirdest loads. If you plan to frequently bury yourself under more than 20 kilos or when you have a delicate back we recommend to go for the BACH M.A.D. Suspension System. Suitable for heavy and very heavy loads. Suitable for maximum loads. This is as comfortable as it gets.

Load Weight 

  • Maximum

Packs with this system

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Aluminium 6082-TF-Stay
HDPE-framesheet (High Density Poly Ethylene)
semi rigid Delrin outer frame
Foam (thickness and specification of foam check Detail description of each suspension system)

M.A.D. Lite

The M.A.D. LITE suspension is able to manage even the weirdest loads. The non-adjustable M.A.D. LITE back is the no-nonsense version of the BACH M.A.D. heavy duty suspension system. Using the same stiff and heavily padded components we managed to engineer an even more lightweight, well ventilated and compact carrying system for heavy to very heavy loads. Suitable for maximum loads. This is as comfortable as it gets.

Load Weight 

  • Maximum

Packs with this system

Horizontal Tabs Group for Illustration / Image switching

Aluminium 6082-TF-Stay
HDPE-framesheet (High Density Poly Ethylene)
semi rigid Delrin outer frame
Foam (thickness and specification of foam check Detail description of each suspension system)

Shield

Designed for loads up to 15kg. Airy and comfy: ventilated carrying system for every trail project and mountaineering. While providing maximum ventilation the BACH SHIELD sits close to your back and offers perfect balance of lightness and comfort. Comes with a well padded hip belt and 15mm shoulder straps.

Load Weight 

  • < 15 kg

Packs with this system

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Aluminium 6082-TF-Stay
HDPE-framesheet (High Density Poly Ethylene)
BACH 3D SMART DIVIDER
Foam (thickness and specification of foam see detail description)

Shield Lite

Designed for loads up to 10kg. Airy and comfy: ventilated carrying system for all hiking and travel exploits. While providing maximum ventilation the SHIELD LITE sits close to your back and offers perfect balance of lightness and comfort. Comes with a removable hip belt.

Load Weight 

  • < 10 kg

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Aluminium 6082-TF-Stay
HDPE-framesheet (High Density Poly Ethylene)
BACH 3D SMART DIVIDER
Foam (thickness and specification of foam see detail description)

Shield Pro

Designed for loads up to 18kg. Airy and Light: ventilated carrying system for all hiking and travel exploits. While providing maximum ventilation the BACH SHIELD PRO sits close to your back and offers the perfect balance: flexibility when you want it, rigidity when you need it.

Load Weight 

  • < 18 kg

Packs with this system

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mesh back for maximum ventilation
load control straps on hip belt and shoulder straps
15mm Trekking shoulder straps
conical, removable hipbelt made from 2 layers EVAZOTE foam
6082-TF-aluminum stay
HDPE frame sheet
comfortable hipbelt pocket
Foam (thickness and specification of foam see detail description)

Softpack

Designed for small loads. Padded backsystem. breathable and waterresistant soft foam. Some models come with a hipbelt to increase the overall fit.

Load Weight 

  • < 10 kg

Packs with this system

Horizontal Tabs Group for Illustration / Image switching

Aluminium 6082-TF-Stay
HDPE-framesheet (High Density Poly Ethylene)
BACH 3D SMART DIVIDER
Schaumstoff (Dicke und Spezifikation siehe Detailbeschrieb des jeweiligen Rückensystems)

Expedition

Expedition Lite

M.A.D.

M.A.D. Lite

Shield

Shield Lite

Shield Pro

Softpack

How to find your perfect match

things to consider when looking for your next pack:

Fit Guide

Since each person has different body proportions, most BACH backpacks come in different back lengths. Basically, the larger the volume of the backpack (and thus the weight you carry), the more important it is to find the perfect fit and being able to adjust the pack to fit your needs.

1. Your torso length matters

Measure your Torso length from the middle of the hip bone (iliac crest) to the “C7” neck bone (you feel it best when you put your chin on your chest)

2. preffered position of hip belt

Subtract 3cm if you prefer to wear it slightly above your hip bone (-3cm). Add 3cm if you prefer it a little lower (+3cm).

3. Your BACH torso index (=1+2)

Add up the points above: which size (small, regular, long, x-long) fits you best? Check your corresponding pack size based on your specific BACH torso index below.

find all BACHpacks that fit your personal torso index:

click here.

Our packs will join your life for quite a while. If you have the chance we strongly recommend to try one before you buy one to be sure it fits your back.If you are unsure which back length will fit you best: opt for the larger size of the backpack (especially for large volume backpacks).

Click here to find a dealer next to you.

Adjustments

Make sure you get the maximum out of your backpack. Check out the video below to know how to adjust your backpack (hip belt, load lifters, load control straps, chest strap, …)

Load your pack

For best carrying comfort we recommend distributing load as shown below. Heavy gear close to your back. Light stuff close to bottom and outer part of your pack. Medium weight in hood and side pockets.

Load Control Straps

Put some weight into your BACH pack. Slightly loosen upper and lower load control straps. Put pack on your shoulders and slowly tighten shoulder straps until your pack feels comfortable. If you close hip belt now it will nicely hug your hips. To distribute more weight to your hips, you may loosen shoulder straps slightly. Position the sliders of the upper load control straps slightly in front of your shoulder as shown in the drawing. The upper load control straps stabilize your load and prevent pack from falling backwards. For best result tighten the upper load control straps slightly. You may or may not tighten the lower load control straps for firmer fit of the hip belt.

Set Shoulder Straps

Expedition Suspension System (illustrated below): The clip-in harness can easily be adjusted at the given positions. M.A.D. Suspension System: Pull out yellow straps from behind lumbar pad and loosen 25mm buckles. Set shoulder harness 10-20mm below the highest possible position. If you are a small or slim person you may set shoulder straps lower down. Tighten the yellow straps and tuck them away.

Connect Angel Wings

Our M.A.D. back system comes with Angel Wings. These diagonal straps bring the load closer to your back and reduce the lateral movement of your pack. Please thread and adjust buckles as shown. Try the effect of the Angel wings once you are on the trail. Most people like Angel Wings slightly tightened when walking in flat areas or downhill.

Insert Hipbelt

Insert hip belt behind lumbar pad and anchor in lowest position. Connect lower load control straps to the 25mm buckles.

Individual Fitting

Bending the aluminium stay

To further improve the fit of your pack you may bend the aluminium stay. Use a plier to take the stay out of your pack without removing the HDPE frame sheet. The stay should follow the contour of your back in slightly bent forward position.

Recommended maximum weight

A very common question is how much weight one can carry with our packs. Simple questions don’t always have simple answers. Although we engineered our different carrying systems with different loads in mind it is not going to be the pack that will complain first. Ou r trekking and travel packs easily take 100kg. Question is; will you? The amount of weight you can carry is a matter of personal strength, training and terrain. Our advise should always be taken with caution and is nowhere near a guarantee that you will have nothing but fun carrying 35 kg through a dense forest. We believe our packs carry lighter and with more comfort than others but they don’t move without you putting some effort in it.