Women's | translate:/Global/SiteRating: 3 | Rucksacks

As the lightest and cheapest of the rucksacks in our test, compromises have had to be made. In the case of the Kathmandu Voltai it’s that there’s only one back length available and it isn’t adjustable – so it will either fit you or it won’t! Also there is only one main compartment, rather than two found on others, and ...

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Osprey Aura 50 (2012)

£120.00

At first glance the Osprey Aura 50 appears to be crammed with clips, straps and attachment loops – and it is! There is an impressive six external pockets and Osprey’s patented Stow on the Go trekking pole attachment system, which allows you to keep your poles slotted to your left side for easy access. This is useful in theory when ...

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Mammut Hera Element 40+ (2012)

£125.00

The Mammut Hera Element 40+ (as you might imagine) boasts a capacity of 40+ litres, but accommodates a generous amount of kit with room to spare, so it’s good for trips of several days. The rucksack has two compartments, one of which can be zipped away to create a single space, and large tags on the lower zips are perfect ...

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Lowe Alpine Airzone Centro ND35 (2011)

£100.00

A classic walking pack that’s durable, comfortable, and carries loads with ease. There’s slightly less room in the main compartment than some, but there’s a large expansion pocket on the front (perfect for carrying waterproofs), and a really useful zip pocket for storing kit you want quick access to. The lid pockets are on the small side, though. It’s got ...

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Rohan Stravaig 35 (2011)

£85.00

A less-ventilated pack than some, with a channelled back rather than suspended mesh. The benefit of a channelled back system is that it keeps the load very close to your centre of gravity so that even heavy loads feel stable. The obvious downside is that you don’t get the airflow offered by suspended mesh back systems. There’s plenty of padding ...

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Vaude Jura 24

£60.00

The Vaude is a smart, traditional-looking pack, with a single-buckle lid closure and a cavernous main compartment. Kit separation is simple, with a large pocket on the lid and expansion pockets on each side – ideal for hats, gloves, snacks and water bottles. Features are kept to a minimum, although it has got two walking pole attachments and a rain ...

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Jack Wolfskin Montrose 24

£60.00

A nifty little pack that works as well for a commute to the office as it does in the hills. The main compartment is split into two, although if you’d rather keep things simple you can remove the divider and have one large compartment instead. The front pocket has many different organiser options inside, which is almost too fussy for ...

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Gregory Miwok 22

£70.00

A decent-sized 22L pack with enough space for everything you’ll need on a short day-walk. The zipped main compartment is easy to access, and there’s also a large front pocket, external stash pocket, mesh side pockets and two waistbelt pockets. A handy side-access zip runs the whole length of the back system – a great way of reaching something buried ...

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Sprayway Stella

£20.00

A tall, slim and lightweight pack that only costs an unbelievable £20. Features are kept to a minimum, although it boasts two pockets in the lid, a zipped pocket inside, and two side mesh pockets that will take a water bottle. The main compartment is long and narrow, with a single-buckle lid and drawcord closure. It’s a nicely styled pack ...

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Karrimor X-Lite 35

£70.00

A slender shape, with a low-key back system and not too much in the way of padding. The more compressed padding here is decent enough, giving just enough cushioning whilst maintaining support. The slim, channeled back padding does help to keep sweat levels down, although not as much as some. After prolonged periods of carrying a heavy load, shoulder straps ...

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Vango Aitrek 30+5

£50.00

A pack that takes many of its design cues from larger packs built to carry more weight. It’s also one of the few packs to have an adjustable back system. Good in theory, although it does add weight and fuss. The mesh back does offer plenty of venting, although the rubberised material can be a little sticky. Its curve is ...

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Regatta X-Ert 35 Litre

£55.00

A budget bag that aims high with some features you’d only expect on a higher-end pack. Padding is good on the hips although not really long enough to stretch around. Shoulder section is too tight across the neck. The rear zip pocket is plenty big enough, although its opening is way too small. There are also a couple of slender ...

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The North Face Spire 32

£89.00

A thin, streamlined pack, with a minimal feel, perhaps more suited to Alpine climbing than anything. There’s no clever back system or lots of padding to complicate things, which does help to keep the weight down. Its long, thin shape allows for a great freedom of movement. The climbing pedigree means that there are no side pockets for water bottles, ...

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Eurohike Air Trek 35

£45.00

There’s a healthy amount of padding on the hips and shoulders of this pack, although it does squash down fairly quickly in use, and can be sweaty. There is also some rather strange lateral padding across the neck, which just gets in the way. Bellows pockets on the side are big enough for a flask or water bottle, but do ...

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Berghaus Freeflow 20 rucksack

£50.00

With a nice, simple design and unfussy exterior, the Freeflow features Berghaus’ improved Freeflow IV back system that allows a decent flow of air across your back and feels pretty stable, too. Lots of padding on the figure-hugging hip belt make easy work of load carrying, and the foam shoulder straps are comfortable and breathable. The roomy main compartment has ...

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DEUTER FUTURA 30 SL

£65.00

Review: Superbly padded hip fins and shoulder straps make this a favourite. Not quite as comfy as some, but the shorter back length will be more practical for some. The tried and tested Futura never fails to impress. Incredibly hard-wearing and well-designed, it comes with features that every walker needs while maintaining its slim, streamlined shape.VITAL STATSCapacity: 30 litresMain compartment: ...

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KARRIMOR KODIAK 35

£50.00

Review: A superbly comfortable pack, even with a heavy load. The wind tunnel back system keeps the weight close to the back and stable, although we had to pack hard items carefully to stop them digging in. It has plenty of space with some useful pockets and a rain cover for the inevitable soaking.VITAL STATSCapacity: 35 litresMain compartment: Lid/drawcordBack system: ...

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BERGHAUS ROAM 35

£50.00

Review: Plain back, softened by three large pads, is comfortable enough, if a little warmer than concave designs. Holds the load nice and close to the back. A lovely light pack with plenty of storage and good pockets. It’s quite a minimalist design yet, oddly, has a split main compartment. Cinches down easily and proved very stable no matter what ...

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REGATTA X-ERT 35

£55.00

Review: Straps are well-padded and nicely shaped. The concave back was cool, although the padded section at the bottom did tend to create damp patches on the small of the back The X-ert dealt well with loads and it seemed well-built and quite tough, too. It has a great array of pockets, including a giant one in the lid, and ...

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VANGO AIRVENT

£55.00

Review: The Airvent concave back is cool and comfy and the shoulder straps are broad so spread the load well. The hip fins are well-padded but a little short, which affects comfort and stability a little. Slightly tighter on space than most tested but comfy to carry with good features, including useful pockets and a rain cover. Compression straps make ...

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KARRIMOR X LITE 35

£65.00

Review: The X Lite offers a new take on the concave back system with two mesh panels stretched between the wearer and the pack rather than the usual single panel. It worked well and felt both cool and comfortable. A short, boxy pack but well-made and stable with any load. It has a good lid pocket and easy bottom access ...

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THE NORTH FACE TERRA

£75.00

Review: Good adjustment and heavily padded straps. Quite heavy at 1,890g, but proved as comfortable as any. The channelled back is stable and cool. The Terra is huge with a split main compartment that makes it a little like a small backpacking rucksack. It carries nicely whatever the load and has great pockets too, but some may find it just ...

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GOLITE JAM 2

£75.00

Review: The very soft, padded back is easily distorted, so it needs very careful packing to make it comfortable. Aside from that, the harness is extremely comfortable with plenty of adjustment. Quite light (720g) and versatile, too, with a series of compression straps that mean it can carry up to 51 litres, although best around the 35-litre mark. Needs careful ...