Highlander Novar 60+5L review: Massive value, but at what cost?

The Highlander Novar 60+5L backpack is most notable for one thing - its refreshingly low price-tag of just £99.99. That’s a total bargain, costing less than half the price of more premium packs from other brands, and consequently identifies exactly who this backpacking rucksack is designed for: entry-level wild campers and budget-conscious, bargain-loving backpackers.

If that’s you, it’s a good choice. For the price, I was pleasantly surprised by the overall levels of durability, functionality and performance. You get a really comprehensive set of features, including a myriad of pockets, an integrated raincover, an adjustable back panel (for different torso lengths) and hydration bladder integration.

The back system delivers reasonable levels of comfort and the shoulder-hipbelt harness feels sturdy and padded enough for heavy loads. However, the overall build quality is clearly cheaper and more basic than pricier options, as you’d expect, while the Novar is pretty heavy and chunky too, clocking in at 2kg.

The back system feels a bit too rigid and harsh, and lacking in premium levels of support, stability and comfort. But for just £99.99, you can’t really complain – it’s still a bona fide bargain. A smaller version – the Highlander Novar 50+5L – costs £95.

Back system: Panel, frame and harness

I don’t mind the back system of the Highlander Novar. For the budget price, you get a fair amount of comfort, stability and gear hauling power. The lumbar pad is very chunkily padded, the shoulder harness and hipbelt work nicely and the back panel is decent enough. The pack also feels competent when it comes to carrying heavier loads.

However, the Novar doesn’t deliver the comfiest carrying experience ever. I found it a bit too rigid and harsh across my back, with the two aluminium stays feeling a tad awkward.

Ventilation wasn’t great, either – I found my back got sweaty rather quickly, although it was unseasonably hot and sunny during my test walks.

Overall the back system is not terrible, but it definitely lacks the feel of a premium pack. I’d describe the comfort levels as 6/10, perhaps, rather than the 8/10 or 9/10 you can get from more expensive backpacks.

That said, for just £99.99, you really can’t grumble – and for shorter trips of just one or two nights, it does a good job without breaking the bank.

I’d recommend, however, that for longer distance trails of a week or more, it’d definitely be wise to go for a lighter and more premium pack, if budget allows.

Back length and sizing

When you buy a Highlander Novar 60+5L, you don’t have to make any tricky size choices – off the shelf, it’s only available in a one-size-fits-all version. However, the good news is that the back system is fully adjustable, with a 10cm range of adjustability between 42cm and 52cm, according to Highlander.

It’s not exactly the most advanced or high-tech adjustability system I’ve ever seen, but it seems to do the job well enough, and should enable you to micro-adjust the torso length for a comfier fit tailored to your body shape.

The way you adjust the size is really straight-forward. The hipbelt is completely sewn-in and non-adjustable, so that always stays in position.

However the shoulder harness slides easily up and down the two aluminium stays (the vertical metal bars of the frame), thus lengthening or shortening the back length. Once you have the right position, simply tighten the two tension straps and you’re all set.

Volume, shape and weight

As the name suggests, the Highlander Novar 60+5L has an overall volume of 65L. The main body of the pack provides the 60L capacity, while the extra 5L comes courtesy of several pockets.

In total, 65L is a sizeable volume, meaning you’ll have ample space for all of your wild camping kit, and clearly this pack is large enough for long-distance trekking.

The shape of the pack is quite standard, with well proportioned dimensions. Highlander states an official size of 74cm high, 35cm wide and 28cm deep.

If I was pushed to say, I’d probably describe the shape as slightly bulkier and chunkier than some other packs with similar volumes – it’s simultaneously both tall and wide with a hefty appearance. But overall the shape of the Novar is relatively 'normal', with nothing out of the ordinary to surprise you.

However the weight of the pack is more likely to split opinion. Clocking it at an official weight of 2kg, this is quite a heavy and substantial pack.

Anyone trying to go ultralight, or at least keep their base weight to a reasonable limit, will probably want to look for something more streamlined and lighter. Anyone who priorities price over grams, however, will be lured in by this bargain.

Features: Lids, straps, pockets and weather protection

Despite being priced so competitively at just £99.99, the Highlander Novar 60+5L has a surprisingly comprehensive feature-set comparable to far more expensive packs from other brands.

There are a few minor omissions – there are no pockets on the shoulder straps, you don’t get side or front access to the main compartment (the only way in is from the top), and the side bottle pockets don’t have those angled, on-the-go access points (so you can grab a water bottle while moving) that you see on some other packs. But that’s all just splitting hairs, really.

The overarching theme is that this backpack is fully-featured with pretty much everything you could ever need. Highlander has effectively included everything and not held back – the only downside being that all of this comes at weight penalty, as expected.

There are easily enough pockets to cater for all of your storage needs. You also get loads of webbing straps and toggles for further gear attachment.

There are little loops on the shoulder straps which I found useful for clipping my GPS to, or a pair of sunglasses, while at the base of the pack there are straps to accommodate a tent or sleeping mat if required. The chest strap also has an integrated emergency whistle.

Verdict

A functional backpack with lots of features and all at a refreshingly affordable price – but it’s heavy and the build quality is (unsurprisingly) cheaper than more premium packs.

Looking for something more high-end? Check out our roundup of the best hiking backpacks on the market.

About the author

James Forrest writes regular features and route guides for Trail and LFTO, and has been one of our main gear testers for the last few years. James is based on the edge of the Lake District so when he isn’t off on his latest crazy adventure or challenge, he’s walking in his local fells.