JACK WOLFSKIN Wolftrail 22 RECCO Rucksack

RRP £100 Target price £100

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst: so the old saying goes. And no gear item we’ve tested this year has personified that idea better than this rucksack. It’s a fabulously built pack, with a breathable harness and a foam back system which sits close to your back but is so light and well-ventilated that it feels as airy as a suspended system. You get loads of capacity in the main section and a bunch of perfectly placed storage pockets for stuff you want to keep separate. Plus, it’s Bluesign-certified, PFC-free and made of recycled materials. That’s ‘hope for the best’ covered. But if the worst happens, the Wolftrail is ready. Step forward the RECCO system: an inbuilt reflector that responds to the radar-based RECCO search technology used by many Mountain Rescue teams. Hopefully it’s a completely redundant feature, and it definitely isn’t the main reason to buy this pack. But as the final flourish of a perfect product, it makes all kinds of sense – especially if you spend a lot of time in Britain’s bumpy bits. NB: It also comes in 28L (£120) and 34L (£140) versions, but this one is the perfect size for a day walk. jack-wolfskin.co.uk