Backpacks and How to Wear Them

Backpacks were designed to allow the wearer to bring everything they could possibly need throughout the day, such as lunches, footwear, schoolbooks, etc. The contents of a filled backpack can result in a considerable weight being carried on the wearer’s back and shoulders. 

But how much weight in a backpack is too much?

Backpacks should not be more than 10% of the wearer’s body weight. For example, the total weight of a backpack of a 60 lb. child should not exceed 6 lbs. 

As shared on ‘www.chiropractic.ca’, a well-designed backpack should have the following:

• A waist strap - This distributes the weight of the bag more evenly

• Wide, padded shoulder straps - Too much weight on the shoulders and neck can impair circulation

• A padded back - This protects from oddly shaped objects in the bag

• Compartments - Like a waist strap, compartments distribute weight more evenly