JACK WOLFSKIN

Wolftrail 28 RECCO

RRP: £120 Target price: £120

Available from late July, the Wolftrail is a true adventurer’s pack, designed for mountains and wilderness. Key to that aim is the inbuilt RECCO chip: RECCO is a tracking system used by many search and rescue teams (mostly in Europe, although several Scottish Mountain Rescue teams are adopting it): you don’t need to register or pay anything; if your pack has the chip and they’ve got a RECCO detector, they’ll find you.

The pack uses an incredibly flexible, breathable foam back system called Airshape, which seems to keep me just as well ventilated as a suspended system even with a huge load onboard. The large basement compartment stores wet stuff or a tiny tent, and has a zipped divider if you just want more storage in the main section. Loads of other good features: pole loops, a hip-belt pocket, sliding chest strap with whistle, large storage space in the lid; and a big sustainability story thanks to recycled materials and reducedwaste manufacturing. If it didn’t feel like overkill for less intrepid walks, it would definitely be my Tester’s Choice.

INFO Weight: 1050g Capacity: 28L Pockets: 8 Back system: Airshape foam panel Contact: Live chat via website, jack-wolfskin.co.uk + Great features, excellent back system, RECCO tracking chip – A bit over-specialised for more everyday walks

BEST FOR: Multi-day trekking in mountains and wild places.