It's plainly apparent that not everyone is the same height. But what may not be so apparent it that people of the same height are not always similar. One person may have long legs while the other has a long torso. Whether you are trying find a suit the fits properly or a backpack for camping and hiking, it helps to learn how to measure your torso length.

Stand behind the person who needs to be measured. Ask him to stand normally and look straight ahead.

Find her C7 vertebrae. The C7 is where the slope of the shoulder meets the neck, and it typically is easy to find. If you are having difficulty, have your friend tilt her head forward slightly.

Place the end of a tape measure on the C7 vertebrae and measure downward, flush against the back, toward the hips.

Have your friend place his hands on his hips with his thumbs reaching behind him. The top of the hip bone is known as the iliac crest, and it is considered the end of the torso.

Imagine a line between her thumbs and take the measurement to where the tape measure crosses that line.