Whether you’re trekking the Himalayas, sport climbing or fell walking, you need a backpack that moves with you across the terrain.
The guide covers everything you need to know about finding your back length to help you choose the right size pack for your trip.
What This Guide Covers
Back Length Explained
How to Measure Back Length
Find your torso length to choose the right size backpack for you
Lowe Alpine Backpack Sizes
Sizing tables for packs with fixed and adjustable back length
Back Length Explained
Many of our packs, and specifically the bigger and more technical packs are available in different back lengths or adjustable back lengths. Contrary to popular belief, your torso length and not your height is the key to getting a well fitted pack. Tall people don’t necessarily have long back lengths, just as shorter people may have a long back length.
What is back length?
Your back length can be found by measuring from your C7 vertebra (the bony protrusion at the back of your neck) to your iliac crest (the top of your hips).
Finding your back length measurements will help you to select the right size pack for your body for the most comfortable carry, wherever your adventures take you.
What is back length?
You will need a tape measure and a friend to help you out.
- Place your hands on your hips and tilt your head forwards.
- Ask your helper to measure from the bony protrusion at the back of your neck to where your hands sit on your hips.
- This measurement will give you an idea of which back length to choose.


Lowe Alpine Backpack Size Guide
As a guide our packs fit as follows:
Fixed Back Length
Women's Regular Back Length | Regular Back Length | Longer Back Length |
16"/ 41cm | 18"/ 46cm | 20" / 51cm |
Adjustable Back Length
Lowe Alpine packs flex to fit to your body shape, so don’t worry if your back length does not measure exactly 16, 18 or 20 inches. We have adjustable back lengths on many styles of packs in our ranges.
Carry System | Women's Regular Back Length | Regular Back Length | Longer Back Length |
VT Flex / VT Plus | 17-21” / 43-53cm | 19-23” / 48-58cm | 21-25” / 53-63cm |
V-Trax | 14-18” / 36-46cm | 16-20” / 41-51cm | 18-22” / 46-56cm |
Air Contour+ | 17-19” / 43-48cm | 19-21” / 48-53cm | 21-23” / 53-58cm |
Air Contour | 14-18” / 36-46cm | 16-20” / 41-51cm | 18-22” / 46-56cm |
AirZone+ | 17-19" / 43-48cm | 19-21" / 48-53cm |