Photo Credit: Aliffian Arief
Chafe can sometimes be so painful it brings your long-distance hike to a standstill, wreaking havoc on a well-planned adventure.
Until you’ve broken in your new pack, rubbing a small amount of Vaseline into your shoulders and neck before your hike is advisable.
Assess the fit of the pack, adjusting areas that feel a little loose, or that you suspect might cause chafing.
Massaging the harder areas on the outer edges of the fabric sometimes helps to create a supple feel.
The most effective way to avoid chafe is to take the weight off the shoulder area. Adjusting the (often neglected) waist and chest straps will help you distribute weight more evenly.
The most common reason people avoid fastening these straps is that they feel too constrictive.
To avoid this feeling, take a deep breath before fastening, then clip the straps on and adjust for comfort.
The weight is now transferred to the hips and chest, and it’s more likely that the pack will stay in place, leaving you to walk naturally without having to worry about burning chafe.
Prevention is better than cure
