Larger rucksacks

Find yourself as the family packhorse or got your sights set on a weekend and more?

WHEN WE SAY ‘large rucksacks’, we don’t mean the monstrously big backpacks you’ll have seen DofE Award participants lugging around the countryside. On this occasion we’re talking about packs between 25 and 40 litres in capacity; in other words, larger daypacks also suited to multi-day trekking when you’re staying in hostels and B&Bs along the way, rather than pitching a tent each night. Roomier than rucksacks that are just big enough for your own lunch, waterproofs and miscellaneous extras, they also happen to be a good size if you often end up being the family pack mule. Whether it’s warm winter layers you’re stowing, or a washbag, towel and change of clothes, it’s essential your pack is comfortable on your back, spreading the weight as efficiently as possible. A poorly packed and fitted rucksack increases fatigue and chance of injury. There’ll be more about packing and fitting later, but first you’ve got to choose the right backpack for you. To help make an informed choice, we’ve put ten rucksacks varying in price, capacity and style through their paces. Our reviews take you through their features, pros and cons, assessing how they fit, function and feel on the go. Whatever you want from a pack, you’ll find the one for you here.

About our reviews

We’ve chosen ten packs which should be widely available in the UK at the time of going to press. Philip and Rachel tested five each, some being unisex ( ) and some fitted specifically for women (as indicated by these dots ). We rate each rucksack on comfort (how it fits and feels), stability (how supported/ balanced the load is), features (pockets and fixings) and ventilation (back/ harness air flow). We don’t select an overall winner, but Philip and Rachel have chosen their stand-out favourites and selected one pack that represents best value for money.