SIX OF THE BEST

With a decent kit bag, you can get your gear to the trails with ease

Kit bags – high-volume holdalls compared for carrying comfort, organisational options and portability potential

Berghaus Expedition Mule 60 £70

SO GOOD… At 1.13kg, this is the second-lightest bag on test. The shoulder straps are adjustable and a chest strap adds extra security. A mesh pocket inside the main compartment keeps things organised. You’ll easy stow a good few days’ worth of kit inside, without it bursting at the seams. It packs down into the pocket at one end. NO GOOD… The material is tough but thin and lightweight, so the Mule doesn’t hold its shape well when slung over your shoulders. It’s difficult to disconnect the shoulder straps. An extra internal pocket would be handy. www.berghaus.com

The North Face Base Camp Duffel £110

SO GOOD… With a 71l capacity (from the ‘M’ model seen here), you’ll get multiple sets of kit, shoes, knee pads, glasses, jackets and clothes in here with room to spare. Organisation is good too, thanks to two mesh pockets and a large external zipped one at the other end. The water-resistant material is properly robust. There’s broad, comfortable padding on the shoulder straps, which can be detached.

NO GOOD… Removing the shoulder straps isn’t a quick job. At 1.77kg, it’s the second-heaviest bag on test, although it does offer more storage than others. www.thenorthface.co.uk

EVOC Duffel 60l £124.99

SO GOOD… This sturdy number is built to last (we’ve had one in use for a few years without any issues), weighs just 1.39kg and packs down neatly. There’s a mesh pocket on the main opening, another inside and a zipped external one for easy-to-reach items. The shoulder straps are easy to remove, and padded for comfort.

NO GOOD… The shoulder straps are a bit narrow and there’s no chest strap, so when lugging heavy loads, they can dig in a little. If you remove them, there’s no carry strap like on most of the other bags here. It’s not cheap either. www.zyrofisher.co.uk

Osprey Transporter 65 £120

SO GOOD… Osprey’s bag is easily the comfiest here, thanks to its well-padded and shaped shoulder straps (plus a chest strap). If you don’t want to wear it on your back, there’s also a carry strap. There’s only one mesh pocket inside to keep things organised, but there’s an additional one on the outside. Four carrying handles are included, which make life a bit easier. Despite the light 1.38kg weight, we know from experience that Osprey packs are built to last, so this one should do you proud for years. NO GOOD It would be handy to have just one more pocket inside, to help keep things nice and tidy. www.ospreyeurope.com

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 60l £95

SO GOOD… The lightest on test at just 1.11kg, this bag still offers 60l of storage. Thanks to the well-padded shoulder straps, yomping around with it on is quite comfortable. Two mesh pockets inside the main flap assist with organisation, and a larger one runs a third the length of the pack. There are also internal compression straps.

NO GOOD… While the Black Hole holds its shape better than the Berghaus when being lugged around, it’s still not the comfiest on test. There’s no chest strap, and one more internal pocket would be useful. eu.patagonia.com

OGIO Endurance 9.0 Travel Duffel £134.99

SO GOOD… If you like to keep things organised, then this is the bag for you. There’s 74.5l of storage, separated into well-considered pockets that are perfect for any mountain biker. These include a shoe pocket, which fits two pairs, and a roll-out helmet cradle, making it easy to attach your lid. One of the best features, though, is the vented pocket on the front for soggy kit, to keep it away from the rest of your stuff. Pockets line each side too.

NO GOOD The only drawbacks here are the lack of central carry handle, fixed shoulder straps and rather steep price. www.madison.com