30-35 litre rucksacks

The best general-purpose packs out there

The entry to the main compartment may have lidless ziparound closure or a conventional lid with buckles. There are pros and cons to both designs. However, with a buckled lid, there are no zips to break, you can overstuff the bag and there is often a pocket for smaller items like maps and guidebooks. Located under the lid and attached to the body of the main compartment, this extension of fabric provides additional protection for your kit. It will have a drawcord closure so you can fasten the top of the main compartment independently of the lid. These are on the sides of some rucksacks and they allow you to compress the body of the sack to help stabilise the load. They are also useful for stashing items on the side of the rucksack, such as trekking poles and waterproof jackets. Originally designed for avalanche probes or ‘wands’, these pockets on the side of a rucksack are often made of stretchy mesh fabrics. They’re ideal for accommodating the ends of trekking poles as well as smaller items including water bottles or snacks. If you like to use a hydration bladder with a feeder pipe to drink from rather than a water bottle, then look for a rucksack with a pocket for the hydration bladder inside the pack. All the sacks featured here can accommodate a hydration system.

POCKETS

At least one external zipped pocket is useful. Zipless stretch pockets are commonly located on front of the rucksack, and are ideal for stowing waterproofs between showers. Pockets on the hipbelt are handy for snacks and GPS receivers and lid pockets are great for guidebooks, sunglasses or sunscreen. The shoulder straps take some of the weight, so they need to be carefully contoured and padded to make them comfortable. As we are all different shapes it is important to try them for size, fit and comfort before parting with cash.

VENTILATED BACK SYSTEM

So that you don’t get too sweaty, many rucksacks have mesh panels that hold the sack away from the torso to increase airflow and thereby reduce that horrid clammy sensation.

HIPBELT

This is designed to carry most of the load if the pack is heavy, but may only be used to ensure stability with lighter loads. Either way, it should fit snugly around your hips while being comfortable and easy to adjust. Look for foam padding for maximum comfort.