Gear on test - Leaders of the pack
Our gear testers, Jen and Sim Benson, pick the best backpacks from budget, mid-range and high-end ranges for men and women
A thoughtfully designed, well-fitting rucksack offers comfort and easy access to everything you need for a walk, whether for a day, over a weekend or longer. Packs vary widely in how they fit and feel, as well as how much they can carry. Getting the right model and fit is crucial for an enjoyable walk, so consider the following points.
Volume
Day packs are generally sized between 15 and 30 litres, allowing you to carry a jacket, food and drink and basic emergency kit, but not much more. For multi-day walks without camping, you’ll probably need between 30 and 50 litres to accommodate clothing and accessories for changes in weather, more food and water, and additional kit. The largest packs hold everything you need for multi-day self-sufficient walking, with space for changes of clothing and footwear, tent, sleeping system, food and water.
Fit
Making sure your pack fits you perfectly and remains comfortable and stable, even when fully loaded and after many hours, is essential for enjoyable and safe walking. Packs come in either a unisex or men’s- or women’s-specific fit. Some are designed (or adjustable) to suit a range of back lengths, and some come in a standard, slim or extended fit. There are also ventilated styles that let air circulate between the pack and your back, allowing sweat to evaporate to keep you cooler and dryer. If you can, visit an outdoor shop and try several packs, ideally loaded with some weight to replicate real-world use.
Fabric and features
Think about how you’ll use your pack and match its features accordingly. If you’re predominantly walking on technical mountain trails, a slim-profile pack without too many external pockets or straps won’t snag on narrow, rocky gullies or throw you off balance on a scramble. For family walks, however, plenty of pockets both inside and out allow easy access and organisation. Packs made from minimalist fabric reduce the weight you’ll be carrying, but may not be as hard-wearing or versatile as those made from a more durable fabric.
Find more on choosing, fitting and packing rucksacks in Jen and Sim’s new book, The Camping Bible (£20, Bloomsbury). walk readers get 20% off with code RAMBLERS20 at bloomsbury.com
Budget rucksacks
Cotopaxi Batac 16L Backpack Del Día 0.36kg
RRP: £60 (unisex)
Made in the Philippines from factory offcuts, each colourway is unique. Great for shorter walks, travel or commuting, it’s stowable and light, though the unpadded back needs careful packing. With bottle pockets and a large zip opening.
Ayacucho Vaalserberg 28 Daypack 0.83kg
RRP: £56 (unisex)
A great-value pack that carries all you need for day walks, with many features of more expensive packs. The back, straps and waist belt are padded and supportive, and a selection of zipped and stash pockets allow easy access and organisation. Pack-away rain cover included. Available at Cotswold Outdoor
Vango Contour 65 2.05kg
RRP: £95 (unisex)
Ideal for Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expeditions, backpacking or long day walks, the metal stays, soft padding and adjustable back carry moderate weight well. There’s a choice of pockets and access to the main pack via a base zip. We’d like to see straps to support the base. Made from recycled polyester.
Available at Cotswold Outdoor
Highlander Ben Nevis 52L 1.27kg
RRP: £124.99 (unisex)
Ideal for multi-day adventures or winter day walks, the adjustable air-flow back system is venting, comfortable and contributes to the impressively low weight. It’s good value and well designed with useful side-zip access to the main pack and enough zipped and stretch pockets to organise kit without being too complicated.
Craghoppers 20L Kiwi Classic Rolltop 0.61kg
RRP: £65 (unisex)
A good choice for commuting or travel, the padded back and supportive shoulder straps are comfortable for shorter walks. Made of recycled polyester with a rolltop opening and retro styling, there’s a padded laptop sleeve and selection of pockets.
Mountain Warehouse Pace 30L Rucksack 0.89kg
RRP: £69.99 (unisex)
This well-priced daypack carries comfortably with a moderate load. Features include zip and stretch pockets, rain cover and hydration system compatibility. The main pack
can also be separated into two compartments with zip access to the base. The air-flow back system is protective and offers ventilation.
Alpkit Pacific Crest 55L 1.79kg
RRP: £79.99 (unisex)
A well-featured pack at a great price. The back system is adjustable, and should fit most adults. There’s a useful set of pockets, easy side-zip access to the main compartment, a
sleeping bag compartment at the base and plenty of straps to carry additional items. A 65L version is also available (£84.99).
Alpkit Ledge 35L 0.98kg
RRP: £86.99 (unisex)
A great-value technical pack designed to excel on mountainous walks, where the slim design and low weight aid balance and shouldn’t
snag when scrambling. The reinforced nylon is hard-wearing and the back system protective. Features useful zipped hip and lid pockets, hydration sleeve and compression straps.
Mid-range rucksacks
OMM Classic 18 0.46kg
RRP: £90 (unisex)
The newest iteration of the original lightweight walking/running pack has big, stretchy mesh front and side pockets and zipped waist-belt pockets. We also like the compression
straps and loops for attaching items. Well padded, but best for fast and light adventures rather than everyday use.
Thule AllTrail 25L Daypack 1.1kg
RRP: £124.99 (unisex)
Combining functionality, smart looks, bluesign-certified sustainable construction and comfort for all-day wear, this is a versatile pack. The zip and stretch pockets, including
padded laptop sleeve, help organise walking kit. The waist belt stows away and there’s an integrated rain cover.
Montane Women’s Trailblazer 30L Backpack 0.89kg
RRP: £150
Men’s version is 32L Lightweight, designed for moving nimbly in challenging conditions. Handy pockets on waist belt and shoulder straps. Main pack has hydration-system compatibility. The recycled nylon and polyester fabric is tough and water-resistant. A comfortable carry. Available at Cotswold Outdoor.
Ayacucho Ben Nevis 65+10 2.08kg
RRP: £130 (unisex)
Spacious and good value, this pack is ideal for multi-day treks. The adjustable back system is protective, padded and supports load with a metal frame. Features include compression straps, sleeping bag compartment and a front zip for access to main pack. Available at Cotswold Outdoor.
Inov8 Venturelite 25 0.62kg
RRP: £120 (unisex)
Lightweight 25L pack that easily fits a full day’s kit. Inov8’s running heritage shows in a stable, comfortable carry. Made from tough, recycled nylon, it’s well-featured with zip and stretch pockets, zipped side access to the main pack, compression straps and supportive waist belt.
Helly Hansen Transistor Backpack 30L 0.86kg
RRP: £140 (unisex)
Great for walking, cycling, skiing or commuting, this excellent everyday pack is tough, comfy and well-featured. It carries well with a supportive waist belt, padded back and comfortable shoulder straps. Features include a large zip opening, hydration system compatibility, zipped hip pockets, RECCO (rescue system) reflector, bottle pockets and security pocket.
Salewa Puez 32+5L Backpack 1.24kg
RRP: £155 (unisex or women's )
These packs look cool! The versatile rolltop design means extra capacity, extending to carry multi-day kit or compress smaller loads. A full-length diagonal zip allows quick access and three external zipped pockets keep items handy. The Dry Back system is adjustable, supportive and allows air flow.
Gregory Women’s Amber 68 1.79kg
RRP: £200 (women's or men's version)
A lightweight alloy wishbone frame, VersaFit adjustment system and wraparound hip belt enable comfortable, secure carrying. The 3D foam back offers good breathability. There’s an extendable lid, zip and stretch pockets, and front access to the main compartment. Plus size available at Cotswold Outdoor
Helly Hansen Canyon Duffel Pack 35L 0.53kg
RRP: £75 (unisex)
This lightweight duffel-style bag can be converted into a rucksack or shoulder bag by deploying the hidden shoulder straps. It’s ideal for storing and transporting kit, with an internal security pocket and tough external grab handles. We love it for travel or base camp use, but it’s not as comfortable as a dedicated rucksack when worn on your back. Folds down into an internal pocket for easy storage. Also available in 50L (£85) and 65L (£95) versions.
Patagonia Black Hole Pack 32L 0.76kg
RRP: £155 (unisex)
This great-looking, versatile and well-featured pack is ideal for everyday use, commuting or travelling. The padded back and shoulder straps make it comfortable for a day’s walk, but there’s no waist belt so it’s best suited to shorter walks. The 100% recycled polyester fabric is reinforced and weather-proofed with a recycled TPU-film laminate, so it’ll last many years of adventures. The roomy main compartment has a wide zip opening, padded laptop sleeve and zipped security pocket. Externally there are stretch bottle pockets and two zipped stash pockets. Responsibly made in a Fair Trade certified factory. 25L version available for £135.
High-end rucksacks
Ultimate Direction FastpackHer 20 0.54kg
RRP: £145 (X/S or M/L and men's)
Fastpack 20 S/M or M/L
Ultimate Direction’s running heritage shines through in this super-light, rolltop daypack, with a padded, breathable Infi knit back system for bounce-free carrying and supportive straps. Available from Cotswold Outdoor
Jack Wolfskin Cyrox Shape 30 S-L 1.14kg
RRP: £170 (unisex)
With its simple rolltop design and waterproof lining, this pack looks great and protects your kit. The back system is supportive and adjustable, combining with a padded waist belt for a comfortable carry. Hydration system compatible, with a good selection of zipped and stretch pockets. It’s also a responsibly produced bluesign-certified item.
Rab Muon 40L Hiking Pack 0.93kg
RRP: £200 (unisex or narrow dimension)
Unisex or ND (narrow dimension) Spectra Ripstop and recycled nylon fabric is durable and lightweight, in keeping with this hi-tech, weightwatching pack. A TRI-FLEX back
system and wraparound hip belt are comfy and supportive. It carries well stuffed to the max or rolls down and compresses a smaller load. Hydration system compatible, with front, stretch rear and zipped security pockets.
Lowe Alpine Yacuri 65L Trekking Pack 1.88kg
RRP: £240 (unisex or women’s/narrow dimension)
Built for multi-day adventures, with an adjustable, shaped harness and wraparound padded hip belt for securely carrying larger loads. With zip and stretch pockets, plus front and base zips to access main compartment. Made of tough nylon and Fair Wear certified.
Fjällräven Ulvö 23 0.68kg
RRP: £125 (unisex or women’s)
This stylish pack is practical, comfy and roomy enough for a day’s ramble. The recycled nylon fabric is water-resistant (PFCfree), protecting your kit. There’s a big zipped outside pocket, bottle pockets, wide zip opening and main compartment laptop sleeve. Available from Cotswold Outdoor.
Berghaus 3D Freeflow 30+5L 1.5kg
RRP: £180 (unisex)
The Freeflow revolutionised packs in 1996, introducing a ventilating airspace next to your back for sweat-free comfort. Today’s version fits and carries better than ever. The airspace is still there, now combined with a 3D-printed lumbar pad and adjustable back length. It’s fairly weighty, but well-featured, with an expanding front pocket and accessible pockets on the straps and waist belt.
Black Diamond Beta Light 45 Backpack 0.92kg
RRP: £360 (unisex in 4 sizes)
Designed for ultralight backpacking where function and durability are top priority, this outstanding pack justifies its hefty price tag. The Challenge Sailcloth Nylon is tough and waterproof yet superlight. Four back-lengths, supportive straps and a good hip belt guarantee a great fit and comfortable carry. There’s a huge stuff pocket, bottle pockets and running pack-inspired easy-access belt and front pockets.
Osprey Ariel Pro 75/Aether Pro 75 2.12kg
RRP: £375 (Ariel women’s fi t XS/S or M/L, Aether unisex fi t S/M or L/XL)
This monster rucksack is aimed at those who need a tough, no-faff pack. The heavy-duty AirScape back system, shoulder straps and padded hip belt carry expedition weight kit comfortably, with lots of pockets and external strapping options. Bluesign certified. Aether Pro available from Cotswold Outdoor
Camelbak Octane 22 Hydration Pack 0.7kg
RRP: £170 (unisex)
Influenced by running and cycling packs, the back-hugging design ensures comfortable, stable and bounce-free carrying. The selection of stash pockets and zipped pockets on the shoulder straps and waist belt keep essentials in easy reach. Camelbak being the original hydration pack pioneers, the pack will carry two soft flasks at the front and includes a top-quality 2L hydration system (£50 to buy separately). The main pack has a large zip opening, plenty of internal pockets and external stretch stash pockets. Light, tough, comfortable and well made, it’s an excellent, versatile choice.
Jack Wolfskin 3d Prelight Rise 35 1kg
RRP: £340 (unisex)
This high performance pack is comfortable to carry and has excellent eco-credentials, justifying its high price. It’s built around a stiff, breathable, Aerorise 3D printed back system which, alongside the supportive hip-belt and comfortable shoulder straps carries weight really well. The roll-top entry reveals an integral protective waterproof dry-bag. Made with recycled Nylon fabrics, it’s a bluesign approved product. Great features include a RECCO avalanche rescue detector, compression straps, hip pockets, bottle pockets and a zipped top pocket.
Ortlieb Atrack 35 1.56kg
RRP: £220 (unisex)
This pack is fully waterproof (rated IP67 – submersible to 1 metre for 30 mins), protecting your kit even in the worst weather. The innovative design features a full-length waterproof zipper positioned against your back, protecting the zip, increasing security and meaning the back system stays clean and dry when you put the pack down to open it. Outside are stretch bottle pockets and zipped hip belt pockets for easy access on the go, while inside there’s a good sized main compartment and multiple handy pockets. Due to the waterproof material, it’s heavier than other similar size packs but carries well with a padded and adjustable back system and hip belt. Made in Germany, also available in 25L (£210) or 45L (£230) versions.
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