Klättermusen

Ymer £479 2.8kg comfort, pockets, recycled fabric heavy, expensive

Capacity: 75+15 litres Materials: Retina, Econyl – 40% polyamide, 30% post-consumer recycled polyamide, 30% pre-consumer recycled polyamide, 400D, 251g/m² Closure: detachable lid, L-shaped front zip, zipped bottom Back system: external aluminium frame, harness adjustable in height and width Hipbelt: pivoting, dual-density foam Pockets: external lid, internal lid, 2 zipped side, mesh side water bottle, 2 hipbelt Features: front and top bungee cord, front and top attachment webbing, side straps, Size: adjustable fit, body back length 42-54 cm klattermusen.com

External frame packs just about disappeared over 30 years ago so I was surprised when I was offered one to test earlier this year. The last time that happened was in 1987! The Klättermusen Ymer is a huge pack designed “for longer treks and hikes with a heavier load”; and as well as the external frame has a thickly padded hipbelt, lumbar pad and back pad. I first tried it last winter with a very heavy and unwieldy load including snowshoes and an Icebox igloo-building tool, and found it as good as could be expected floundering through boggy tussocks and patches of soft snow before I could use my winter tools. I didn’t think that was really a fair trial though and wanted to use it on a normal backpacking trip before reviewing it. This first autumn trip required enough gear to justify using it, though it wasn’t full. Comfort was good, as was stability on the rougher terrain. There are plenty of pockets and I liked having zipped side ones rather than open-topped mesh. For big, heavy loads and long trips this is a good pack. It’s made from recycled fabric too. It is heavy and expensive but it should last well.