Rucksacks reviewed

YOUR COMPLETE BUYING GUIDE TO

HUMANS HAVE BEEN strapping bags to their backs for millennia. Ötzi the ‘Iceman’ was found with one when his mummified remains emerged from a thawing glacier in the Alps after 5300 years in 1991. We’ve yet to find a better hands-free way of hoofing stuff around with us. Rucksacks have come a long way since the days of hazel rods and animal pelts of course, but their basic form and function remains the same.

After sturdy footwear and a weatherproof jacket, a good daypack is the next thing most walkers invest in. By ‘daypack’, we mean one that’s large enough to carry everything you’ll need for a day’s walking: food, water and other essentials. Depending what and how much you like to carry, 15 to 25 litres is an optimal rucksack volume for year-round walking. But there’s more than just capacity to consider.

How comfy is it on the move, for hours at a time? How effectively does it stabilise and disperse the load? Then there’s ventilation to bear in mind. Think extras too: raincovers, pockets, pouches and fixing points for gear you’ll want quick access to. Then again, you might prefer a streamlined, minimalist pack. Whatever your needs and budget, one of the varied 12 we’ve field tested is bound to be right for you.

About our reviews

We’ve chosen 12 packs which should be widely available in the UK at the time of going to press. Philip and Rachel tested five each, some being unisex and some fitted specifically for women (as indicated by these dots . We rate each rucksack on comfort (how it fits and feels), stability (how supported/ balanced the load is), features (pockets and fixings) and ventilation (back/ harness air flow). We don’t select an overall winner, but Philip and Rachel have chosen their personal favourites and selected one pack that represents best value for money.