The best ‘budget buy’, the Regatta X-ERT 35L (1280g) almost achieves great things: it’s light, perfectly comfy up to a certain load and has an adjustable, ventilated back system. But it has some very eccentric features: most notably the large external pocket with a tiny zipped entrance, two tiny-capacity side pockets and a hidden key stash.
Stockists – tel. (0161) 749 1313: www.regatta.com