Fig. 1

Putting a rucksack on
Never raise rucksack from the ground and then onto the shoulder when your knees are extended. First raise the rucksack with the carrying grip, and slip into one shoulder strap and then into the other. If you can't raise the rucksack, you can lift it onto your thigh and then bring it into carrying position.

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Fitting a rucksack
To properly fit a rucksack, it must be loaded and all the straps must initially be loosened. The order in which the belts and straps are tightened is important: (2) Always start with the hip belt, then the shoulder straps, and then the positioning adjustment straps. Approximately the middle of the hip belt should close around the hip bones. (3) Then tighten the shoulder straps. The padding should be snug against the shoulders. But do not make them too tight as this shifts the load too far away from the hips and onto the shoulders. (4) The position adjustment straps (on the shoulder straps) must be attached in the area of the collar bone. By slightly tightening them, the rucksack is positioned on the back. Make sure the shoulder straps lay clean and snug to the shoulders. The length of the back is correct if the position adjustment straps are adjusted between 20° and 30° to the horizontal. For anything less than 20° you should select a longer back and for anything more than 30° a shorter back. (5) The sternum strap between the shoulder straps relieves the shoulder joints of loads (important when climbing, skiing and hiking).

Fig. 4

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Fig. 6

Packing
The closer heavy objects are to the body, the easier it is to put a rucksack on and to balance it while carrying. Heavy objects should be placed over lighter objects at shoulder height. Only the basic necessities should be carried on the outside, but a variety of our rucksacks provide practical attachment possibilities for attaching things to the side, such as tent poles. A sleeping bag belongs in the bottom compartment. Stuff sacks keep everything organized for stowing in the main compartment or side pockets.

Fig. 7

Sternum strap
The anatomically-designed S-shaped shoulder straps from TATONKA provide improved freedom of movement and thus relieve neck muscles. The height-adjustable sternum strap on TATONKA rucksacks improve freedom of movement; for example while skiing or climbing, the sternum strap stabilizes the shoulder straps and prevents the rucksack from slipping from the shoulders.

Fig. 8

Fig. 9

Adjusting the shoulder straps
(8) You can regulate the length of the shoulder straps by adjusting them on the back carrying system. When doing so, it is important that the S-shaped contour of the straps relieve loads to the neck muscels. (9) You can remove the shoulder straps from the rucksack by opening the outer Velcro straps and the inner wooly strap. Then both straps must be completely unthreaded from the guide system. When you do this, first note their top position. The shoulder straps are lengthened by placing them higher up, and shortened by placing them at a lower position. (10) Then establish the new higher position and thread the wooly strap through the guide system. Thread in the three cross straps beneath the Velcro strap. Now engage the shoulder straps in the correct position. (11) Finally, close the wooly strap and the Velcro strap and try out the new shoulder strap position.

Fig. 10

Fig. 11

Fig. 12

Rain cover
On its rucksacks, TATONKA uses water-resistant coated quality materials, chiefly Cordura® , in order to provide protection for the contents in case of cloudbursts. However, in case of longer heavy rains an additional rain cover is required (and is available as an accessory from the TATONKA range of products). These rain covers are available for any rucksack size and also protect your rucksack from dirt as well as wear-and-tear.

Cleaning rucksacks
Because of their PU padding and other materials used in rucksack construction, rucksacks cannot be washed in a washing machine. To clean a rucksack, dry-brush it and wipe clean with a moist cloth. Do not use caustic detergents.

Replacement parts
Buckles are critical elements of a rucksack. If you decide not to take along TATONKA's Outdoor Repair Kit, you should take replacement buckles for the shoulder straps and hip belt.