Gregory Stout 45/Amber 44

£115 Capacity 45 litres/44 litres Back sizes adjustable (men’s Stout 45); adjustable (women’s Amber 44) Weight 1337g

Designed for loads up to 18kg, the Stout and Amber benefit from a relatively low weight compared to others as well as Gregory’s body-hugging back system. The back system allows the shoulder straps to be raised to adjust the back length, while foam padding with a mesh overlay creates some airflow. The back is not as stiff as some others, but twists nicely to allow hip movement and is stiff enough to allow easy packing and comfort. The body has a top opening with a floating lid and base access. Quick-release buckles on the compression straps work well with the mesh wand side pockets, and there’s a good selection of pockets. It's a well-priced design that weighs just 1337g, including a 75g raincover. This is made from polyester rather than more hard-wearing and more pricey nylon, so it may not be quite the most durable option for really hard users. There’s no base compartment divider, but if you use a rucksack liner then this isn’t really an issue – depending on how you like to pack gear. The lid is a floating design so needs care to ensure water does not creep under it into the main pack when half loaded. The hipbelt and back system are not as supportive as others, making heavy loads less comfortable. A comfortable rucksack for weekend trips with a lighter weight, and lower price tag than some options, but little details are slightly better in some designs.