Osprey Mutant 52 £180

Osprey’s Mutant 38 is a Trail favourite, but it is a couple of litres short of our 40-50 litre ‘sweet spot’ for a winter pack. So, this time around we went bigger and tested the newly updated Mutant 52.

The design hasn’t changed much, but the materials have. Fabrics are now bluesignapproved and made from recycled content, with a PFC-free water-repellent finish. The pack retains its reinforced double base and robust back panel, so it’s still just as tough. It’s a stable load-hauler, too, thanks to a removable plastic framesheet that is reinforced with two angled aluminium stays.

It’s a unisex design but comes in two back lengths to ensure a good fit, while the harness and hip fins are nicely padded without feeling bulky. This ensures it’s comfy but also streamlined.

The front panel has attachment points for trekking poles or ice axes, with removable straps for carrying crampons. There’s also an optional helmet net in the lid.

Inside the main compartment you get a hydration sleeve and a useful mesh pocket (though we wish the key clip was located here instead of in the outer lid pocket). The pack is easy to load thanks to a wide mouth drawcord opening.

IF WE’RE BEING FUSSY

The design is a traditional top-loader with no rear or side access to the main compartment. There’s still nowhere to tuck away the dangling rope strap when not in use. And the price has jumped by £30, so the Mutant packs aren’t quite the value proposition they once were.

■ WEIGHT 1.54kg (1.01kg stripped)

■ VOLUME 52 litres

■ SIZES S/M or M/L

Verdict

A conventional but well-proven pack that easily accommodates all the extra gear needed for big winter adventures, though other packs are slightly more versatile.

“Comfortable to carry but also streamlined”