20-35 LITRE RUCKSACKS

LISTING THE ATTRIBUTES of a good walking day-pack is reminiscent of the Spanish Inquisition from Monty Python, in which Michael Palin tries to name the one chief weapon of the Spanish Inquisition, but finds himself adding more chief weapons every time he appears.

Same with rucksacks. It starts simply: all it has to do is carry some stuff. Oh, but don’t forget it has to be comfy. And compressible, so that it stays balanced even when it’s not full. Yes, that’s it.

Oh, hang on, also: we want a variety of storage areas so that little bits like compass and first aid kit are easy to find in a hurry. And we’d like a clever harness that will spread the weight, and a back system that won’t allow sweat and heat to build up under our clothes. Walking pole straps. A raincover maybe, and space for a hydration system. Wouldn’t it be nice if the back length was adjustable, too? Bottle pockets, chest straps, a hip-belt that takes the weight... and one last thing, please make the damn thing so light and compact that we don’t even notice we’re carrying it.

So there is no ‘chief weapon’ of the humble daypack: it’s a glorious blend of a dozen remarkable features. All you have to do is read on, and work out which of these 12 has the right blend of chief weapons for the walks you love.

About our reviews

We’ve chosen 12 rucksacks which should be widely available in the UK at the time of going to press. Nick (NH) and Sarah (SR) tested six each; we’ll indicate whether the pack is unisex or comes in gender-specific versions using these dots: ). We rate each pack for comfort (how it feels on the go),

stability (how it spreads the load),

features (such as extra pockets, pole storage, back system) and ventilation (how it manages the buildup of heat as you walk). We focus on the pros and cons of each pack, but we’ve also chosen stand-out favourites and one that offers the best value for money.