ALPKIT LEDGE £62

Low priced and lightweight, so why pay extra or carry more if this pack provides everything a hillwalker needs?

■ Capacity 30 litres ■ Me■’s One size

■ Wome■’s n/a

■ Weight 827g

it's good

Like all alpkit products, this rucksack challenges value-for-money norms by offering top quality design at a very competitive price.

the Ledge is designed with the mountain walker and scrambler in mind, so it is a slim and lightweight yet functional design. It is built around the traditional needs of a mountaineer, with a simple single compartment with top-entry via a single buckle lid that can be extended for more capacity, while the lid gets an internal and external zipped pocket. side compression straps and stretch side pockets are provided too.

the back system is lightly stiffened, with raised padded zones to provide comfort and airflow. the hipbelt gets wide fins for more comfort and support as well as mesh zipped pockets.

the Ledge has all the key features needed, and most walkers or scramblers heading into the hills will find it hard to justify paying more.

However

there are plenty of features this pack doesn’t have that others do, so while it does work really well others have additional benefits. It also comes in just the one size, with no women’s option and no back length adjustment. While the back system is good, others are either stiffer in the back or offer more airflow, and either of these factors will probably be worth having for regular hillgoers if you are prepared to pay or carry more.

Other packs also get a front pocket that is either zipped or a stretch mesh design, and these can be useful for easy on-the-go access to items such as a lightweight waterproof jacket or hat. there are zipped pockets on both hipbelt fins but they are annoyingly small compared to others, so they are just not quite as useful.

verdict

superb value for money, with everything most mountain walkers will want – but it does lack some useful features available on more expensive daypacks.