£50 - £149 | translate:/Global/SiteRating: 3 | Rucksacks

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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Kathmandu Voltai (2012)

£100.00

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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Deuter Futura 32 (2011)

£85.00

The hip pads are great – supportive all the way around to the front and shaped to offer maximum comfort. The pull-together waist adjustment is great for getting a snug fit, too. The shoulder straps are also well-padded with a dimpled face fabric to help draw away moisture. The Air Comfort back system does allow air to circulate around well, ...

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Karrimor Airspace 35+5 (2011)

£75.00

The back system is a little different to others, with a thinner area in contact with the back, which can be a little awkward at first compared to wider mesh vents. The hip belt also flexes independently of the rest of the pack, which does allow for more comfort and movement in the hips, although it can sometimes stick into ...

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The North Face Terra 35 (2011)

£105.00

One of the few packs to use a padded, channelled back system, and it’s one of the best. Although warmer than mesh systems, the channels do help keep the centre of gravity close to the body, making this more stable for those looking to move a bit quicker or even scramble. It also keeps the weight down. There is a ...

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Mammut Creon Classic (2011)

£75.00

From the outside, it looks like a simple pack and there aren’t too many straps and flappy bits to get in the way. Even the bottle pockets have zips to tidy away and secure your water – bad news for Duke of Edinburgh hikers, with their flapping tin cups et al, but good news for everybody else who doesn’t like ...

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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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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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Salomon Minim 20

£65.00

This is a slimline pack for those who like to stay on the move. The long shape of it means that you could even run with it, should you need to. The long, narrow design keeps your arms free to swing around, and the pack is very lightweight. The breezy airvent back system really keeps the pack away from your ...

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Karrimor X-Lite 20

£50.00

Another pack lacking the extra pockets and strappy bits that you’d expect to find on a technical pack. Its streamlined build works well when you’re in full motion (for example, climbing a steep mountain path) as well as simply keeping everything tucked away together in one main pocket. The slim design means the pack sits tucked away in the middle ...

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Rohan Volition Daypack 25

£75.00

When used on colder, wetter walks earlier on in the year, the Rohan pack coped handsomely. The waterproof zip design and rugged outer fabric mean that in all but torrential rain the insides remain dry, without having to rely on drybags quite so much. Of course, opening the zip design does mean that everything inside is quickly exposed to the ...

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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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GoLite Quest 2011

£140.00

The Golite Quest is an enormous sack with a remarkably low weight that will easily carry more than you need for a week or two. In fact, in terms of litres per gram, it’s lighter than the Ultrahike 60. It’s simple and uncluttered, has just the minimum of pockets to remain functional, and uses 50 per cent recycled fabric. DesignThe ...

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Lowe Alpine Lightflite 28 2011

£60.00

The smallest, lightest pack on test, the Lowe Alpine Lightflite 28 is part of a new range from Lowe Alpine designed primarily for mountain marathons. However, its low weight, cost and size make it viable for those who need a multi-activity day pack but don’t want to break the bank. DesignThough the Lowe Alpine Lightflite 28 is the smallest pack ...

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Osprey Hornet 32 2011

£85.00

The Osprey Hornet is a super-lightweight pack designed for adventure racing and moving fast and light in the mountains. It’s 36 per cent lighter than its cousin, the Talon 33, yet it has plenty of pockets and can be compressed down. Design The Osprey Hornet 32 is light, the medium/large back length weighing a meagre 586g on our scales. You ...

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Berghaus Octans 40 2011

£80.00

Developed for award-winning adventure race team Orion, the Berghaus Octans 40 is a large but seriously light pack designed for multi-day adventure racing. You don’t have to run with it, but you won’t mind that race pedigree on the hill. It’s a simple, clean design for minimalists, with sufficient pockets and versatility for multi-activity. DesignAt 684g, the Berghaus Octans 40 ...

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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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CamelBak Vantage 35 2010

£120.00

The CamelBak Vantage 35 is a good walking pack that has a special back ventilation system and comes with an Omega 3 hydration pack. Narrow enough for scrambling, and exceptionally comfortable. But very pricy, and at 1680g it felt heavier than it needed to be, so not ideal for walkers who want a stripped-down, lightweight and simple pack Stockists – ...

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Gregory Z35 2010

£100.00

The Gregory Z35 is a great pack weighing 1340g that’s extremely comfy on the hill and offers great access to gear thanks to a wide, zip-round front opening. There are ice axe attachment points on the sides and stretch pockets for water bottles. But it’s not cheap compared to others with ventilated backs, and the very bendy back system restricts ...