The EXACT FIT harness

We believe the harness is the most important part of a rucksack. Without a strong, comfortable harness, you may as well buy a suitcase. We have spent more than two decades continuously improving the EXACT FIT  harness system, making it the most comfortable, durable and convenient harness on the market. As a result, ONE PLANET  harnesses are famous for their comfort. In fact, ONE PLANET EXACT FIT  harness system is the only large rucksack harness to be endorsed by the Australian Chiropractic Association.

The EXACT FIT harness is available in eight harness fits, with four male and four female fits available in three back lengths. Other brands have a maximum of four harness sizes: whose do you think will fit better? The EXACT FIT  system aims to give optimum comfort, allow freedom of movement, minimise stresses on the body (especially the spine), and to facilitate an exact fit without the pack leaving your back. So whether you’re shaped like Elle Macpherson or everyone else, with a ONE PLANET rucksack you’ll get a comfortable fit.

For a harness to be comfortable and stresses minimised, a large proportion of the load should be able to be carried on the hips. The EXACT FIT system has the ability to transfer the majority of the load down the frame to the hipbelt, from where it is distributed evenly around the small of the back and the hips, bypassing the spine and reducing skeletal stress and fatigue.

To stabilise the top part of the pack, a comfortable portion of the load needs to be carried on the shoulders. How much weight is carried here is a matter of personal preference. We recommend adjusting the shoulder strap (the strap under the armpits, which transfers the load between the hips and shoulders) until the most comfortable position is found. The shoulder-strap tension may require adjusting throughout the day as some people prefer it slightly looser when walking uphill, and slightly tighter when walking down.

How the Exact Fit harness works

The EXACT FIT  harness distributes the pack weight to key areas of the body through precise control and accurate use of frame length, hipbelt size and shoulder strap assemblies. Adjustments to these components are easily made while the pack is on your back, so the harness fits exactly, all of the time. Adjusting buckles on either side of the hipbelt make the EXACT FIT  harness far simpler to use than other harnesses.

The shoulder straps are shaped to distribute weight evenly and over as large an area as possible, eliminating pressure points. Correct positioning is ensured as the EXACT FIT harness system enables the user to precisely adjust the length from the hips to the shoulders. This allows the shoulder straps to perform their primary purpose – to stabilise and balance weight in the upper section of the pack.

The hip belt transfers a large proportion of the load from the pack to the body, making it a vital component of your pack. The angle of the EXACT FIT  hip belt is controlled by a buckle, so it can be adjusted to follow the curves of your lumbar and hips. It is also pre-shaped and wrinkle free, guaranteeing a comfortable fit. The two-to-one mechanical-advantage adjustment system means that little effort is required for a snug, load-bearing fit.

Exact Fit harness construction

The EXACT FIT harness system uses an extra heavy-duty, load-bearing hipbelt to prevent the hipbelt foam from distorting when carrying really heavy loads. The shoulder straps are constructed using a combination of high-density EVA foam laminated with breathable, rot-inhibited open-cell foam and a hard-wearing, 500 gsm air mesh in areas in contact with the body. The foam in the hipbelt and shoulder straps has been selected for its suitability for hot Australian conditions. (Excessive heat can affect the structure of closed-cell foam. This, combined with pressure, can permanently damage the foam’s ability to recover from compression.)