i do like WhitBri said. ive tried putting my backpack on the back of my climber before, but that was to much weight on the back. my climber is an API grandslam thats maybe 22-24 pounds and then ive got who knows how much stuff in my pack thats at least 20 pounds. i can keep my balance a lot better with the pack on my chest,i look like an idiot in the woods but it works! just my $.02, but its a lot better to wear it backwards because ive busted my butt in the woods when i had my pack on my climber