RUCKSACKS CLASS OF 2021

Quechua FH900 Fast Hiking Pack £45

Here’s a really clever daypack to kick us off: the rolltop means its storage can expand from 14L to 19L, while the gilet-style harness means you wear it rather than carry it. decathlon.co.uk

Columbia Tandem Trail 22L £65

Another excellent lightweight rolltop, the new Tandem Trail is stripped back to basics and highly customisable, thanks to its twin daisy chains and stretchy stash panel. The featherlight shoulder straps should keep you nice and cool. columbiasports wear.co.uk

Sierra Designs Flex Lumbar 7-10L £65

Adapted from Sierra’s wonderfully expandable Flex Capacitor rucksack, this sleek waistpack is also expandable or scrunchable depending on how much you’ve got to carry. The lumbar system fits neatly over the waist, transferring weight from your back to your backside. sierradesigns.com

Trekmates Drypack RS 30L £50

Trekmates’ Drypack range is fantastic: fully waterproof, with easy-access rolltop, a light but sturdy harness, and white interior so you can find stuff easily. We’ve enjoyed all four (15, 20, 22 and 30L); this one is best for longer days with more kit, or even an overnight stay. trekmates.co.uk

Berghaus Arrow 30 £60

Styled like the classic rucksacks of yesteryear but thoroughly modern in its construction and materials, the Arrow is a capacious day-pack/weekender making good use of Berghaus’ well-ventilated Flow padded back system, with twin side-mounted storage compartments, easy lid closure and housings for walking poles and a hydration system. Simple, clean lines and a raincover complete a very impressive package – at an equally impressive price. berghaus.com

Deuter Speed Lite 20 £60

An absolute classic here. Speed Lite is Deuter’s lightest rucksack range; athletically cut, minimalist in materials, and ready for action. The V-shape structure gives loads of freedom of movement and the harness is brilliantly ventilated, but it doesn’t skimp on features either: you still get important flourishes like stretchy side panels, a valuables pocket, loops for glasses or an LED light, hydration system compatibility and a wet laundry compartment. A really excellent light summer pack. deuter.co.uk

Cotopaxi Luzon 24L £70

Cotopaxi is a new brand to us, but they’re offering two core values: easy packability and some lovely colour palettes. The Luzon is a 24L daypack with soft back panel and ultralight straps. The drawstring closure means it’s not the most secure or weatherproof pack in the world, but it sure does look mighty pretty. ellis-brigham.com

Gregory Arrio 24 £80

Gregory’s new Arrio range (18, 24 and 30L) is designed for lightweight walks on the warmest days, with ventilated suspension, quick-access pockets and hydration compatibility. A Freespan suspended panel and perforated harness will keep you nicely ventilated, and there’s plenty of storage in the side panels and zipped front section, as well as a capacious lid pocket. eu.gregory packs.com

Vango Ozone 30 £80

Here’s a pack that more or less defines what a good 30L trekking rucksack should be: sturdy, resilient, capacious, reasonably light, but packed with smart storage including hip-belt pocket. The front pocket is big enough for a tent flysheet or a fleece, making the Ozone a great value option. vango.co.uk

Jack Wolfskin Crosstrail 24 £85

This versatile daypack uses a redeveloped version of Jack Wolfskin’s much-loved ACS back system, which provides great ventilation. Good eco-cred too: the pack’s lining is fully recycled, and the fabric is dyed without using water. jack-wolfskin. co.uk

Salomon Out Night 30+5 £105

As the name suggests, the Out Night is meant for overnight adventures, such as single-night stays and lightweight wild camps. And being Salomon, the emphasis is on speed, agility and low weight ratios: although large enough to take a towel, a change of clothes and some camping essentials, it still weighs in at less than 1kg. You can even strip off the lid if you don’t want the extra storage, which means it converts neatly into a standard daypack. Great materials, good quality. salomon.com

Hydro Flask Day Escape Soft Cooler £140-£175

Not a traditional rucksack; this is a sophisticated backmounted cool bag for picnics and barbecues where you want a walk before you eat. It’ll keep food and drink cold for 36 hours, and the moulded base means it will stand on the ground by itself. The brand says it is temporarily unable to deliver to the UK (blaming Brexit) but hopes to resume soon; check updates at hydroflask.com

Lowe Alpine Cholatse 42:47 £140

When Lowe Alpine unleash a new larger pack to add to their impressive range, it has to be something special. And thus it is with the new Cholatse, which Lowe Alpine call ‘the ultimate four-season hiking pack’. It’s primarily designed for minimalist hut-to-hut treks such as one does in the Alps, but will do just as well on two-day hikes and wild camps. rab.equipment/uk

Montane Azote 25 £90

Montane’s sleek new Azote range includes 24, 25, 30 and 32L daypacks, with options for men and women. Here’s the men’s 25L, which looks perfect for a longer day thanks to its hefty capacity and large hip-belt pockets. There’s also the Open Mesh back panel, which is size-adjustable. Streamlined, unfussy but with a great balance of features – and for under £100, that’s a really nice mix. montane.com

Osprey Talon 22 Tempest 20 £120

Osprey’s Talon and Tempest ranges have clinched top honours in CW tests for years, and here’s their fresh update: improved fit and stability, and now made with sustainable fabric. Now’s the perfect time to grab one and see how good they are. osprey europe.com

Fjällräven Abisko Friluft 35 £175

One of the sturdiest and smartest trekking packs you can buy. Light, stable, and made from hard-wearing G-1000 nylon with a toughened underside, the Friluft is packed with features but comes with a tough, nononsense vibe. fjallraven.co.uk