PICK OF THE PACKS
Whether you’re heading for the hills or into the valleys, stash all your essentials in a daypack made to make walking a pleasure. Liz Dodd is sent packing in search of the best
Enormous, multi-compartment travellers’ backpacks get all the glory, but the humble daypack represents a science all of its own. While it is tempting to sling a sandwich in your ordinary commuter bag and head for the hills on a one-day hike, a proper daypack can support you over more miles, in more adventurous terrain, and will never let your sandwiches get soggy.
Walking covers a multitude of days out, from a gentle stroll along the towpath to Sunday lunch, to an axeaided scramble in the sleet. We tested bags that should suit both ends of the spectrum – from Patagonia’s city-friendly backpack to Mammut’s mountain-ready kit.
We tested all the bags on medium-length walks – around 10-15 miles – on terrain that suited their USP. Thanks to the English weather, all of them were well tested for waterproofing. In terms of pack weight, our baseline was a day’s worth of supplies – a packed lunch, snacks, water, walking poles, a waterproof layer and a map – and for the larger (30l plus) bags we tried to fit an overnight “microadventure” camping kit in, too (a bivvy bag, lightweight sleeping bag and rollmat).
Generally a volume of 20 litres is ideal for a daypack – that’s not so hefty that it weighs you down if you want to go fast and light, but has enough space for a couple of layers, food and a flask or even a flask or lightweight camping stove for a cuppa. Many of the bags we tested would also suit a longer trip, though – in particular the Mammut, with its innovative flexible back system, and the Osprey.
In summer our reviewer can manage a week-long walk with 30l of kit (sleeping in hostels, not camping), so if you have a few trips in mind this year, it’s worth sizing up – all of these packs are light to mid-weight and have excellent compression, so on a day hike the extra volume won’t bother you.
We were really impressed by the number of sustainable and eco-friendly options on the market at the moment: the majority of bags we tested had some kind of ethical credential, whether that was the supply chain or the fabric. The fact that the “greenest” bags we tested – like the Fjallraven and the Osprey – were also the most attractive shows that the industry is waking up to consumer demand and living up to the hiker’s motto: leave no trace.
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Fjallraven keb hike 20: £185.00, Fjallraven
The most attractive pack we tested, this is another gorgeous piece of Scandi design from Swedish Fjallraven. Made from recycled material and organic cotton, everything about this bag – from the two-tone straps and components to the soft lining to the metal components to the sewn-on logo – feels lovingly crafted and built to last. All of these things make it all the more impressive that the bag is also one of the most technically advanced packs we tested: the back system is comfortable and well ventilated, the straps are durable and the pockets are generous and sensibly placed. It even comes with ski attachments and lash points for ice axes and poles – but if you’re a casual walker, don’t let that put you off. This lovely bag is the epitome of “lagom” – that’s the Swedish spin on “hygge”, and means “just right”.
Buy now
Gregory Jade 28: £75.00, Blacks
Feature-heavy pack and with a sleek profile that conceals a multitude of pockets, loops and lash points, the superb Gregory Jade 28 is perfect for serious hikers. It was one of the most comfortable packs we tested, with well padded straps, built-in suspension (so welcome flexibility around the hips) and a close but sweatless fit. It was also one of the most generously sized packs, with its ample volume – almost 30l – easy to manage thanks to the many compression straps. Even fully packed, this bag would pass as hold luggage, but in terms of balance and comfort when walking it felt like a top-end, multi-day pack. Ideal for tricky terrain or weekend walks.
Buy now Osprey Archeon 30: £200.00, Osprey
Beautiful and eco-friendly, this pack from Osprey’s new Archeon range is a triumph. Made from 100 per cent recycled fabrics, with a PFC-free coating and metal componentry, it sets a new benchmark for environmentally friendly, high-tech gear. The 30l pack is stuffed with features – like pole attachments and ice axe loops, a hydration sleeve and raincover – that set it up for serious hiking, but it looks smart enough for a weekend away. The back system was one of the most comfortable we tested: we loved the unusual, ribbed back panel, which our reviewer felt was sturdier – so took more of the pack weight – than a simple mesh, but still had plenty of ventilation. The straps are well padded and comfortable, and we loved the
smart metal buckles. Buy now Ortlieb atrack cr: £164.99, Ortlieb
If you’re off walking in seriously stormy conditions – like the Indian monsoon season or Wales in the spring – Ortlieb offers the most dependable waterproofing around. Best known for its indestructible cycling panniers, Ortlieb’s atrack range effectively takes its durable duffle bag and flips it into a backpack. Some aspects take a bit of getting used to – the zip is a vertical one that runs the length of the back panel, for example, which is great for keeping your valuables safe but tricky if you need to access something in a hurry. The side pockets are ample for water bottles and snacks, though, and overall the duffle-style design means that the 25l volume feels roomy and generous. The bag is waterproof up to a metre underwater for half an hour, making it easily the most weatherproof bag we tested. Buy now Patagonia black hole 25: £100.00, Patagonia
A cool little bag that would be as at home on your commute as it would on the trail, this one is a stylish hybrid pack, with a laptop sleeve right alongside its hydration reservoir. We loved the cool Seventies vibe of the glossy outer, which is also reassuringly water repellent, and the non-intrusive hiking tech (like the daisy
chain-style loops for lashing gear and the chest strap). Patagonia is a market leader when it comes to ethics and the environment: this bag is no different, and is made from materials with a traceable supply chain and great environmental and fair trade credentials. As if that wasn’t enough, the body is 100 per cent recycled, making this one of the most ethical bags we tested.
Buy now Jack Wolfskin Kingston 30: £80.00, Jack Wolfskin
This really versatile pack from Jack Wolfskin was one of the only bags that fitted our lightweight microadventure kit without a grumble. Boasting plenty of technical features – including an intuitive hydration system, plenty of lashing straps, a whistle, a comfortable back system and chunky, padded straps – the Kingston is a serious hiker’s pack ideal for a long day hike or a night in the woods. It was a little bit on the heavy side – at 930g for 30l – but that wouldn’t be a problem on a short walk. Our reviewer was also very impressed with the waist strap, which looked a bit lightweight but was actually one of the most comfortable we tested, and the huge zipped opening to the main compartment.
Buy now Mammut Ducan spine 28-35: £130.00, Mammut
The Mammut’s ingenious back system, with a fixed spine but pivot points at the hips and shoulders to allow
for lateral movement while you’re walking, is without doubt the most comfortable we tested. If you have any kind of back or knee issue – or, like our reviewer, you’re just a bit hypermobile – this kind of support can transform your hike, and it’s wonderful to have it in a daypack – usually this kind of tech is reserved for multi-day packs and above. Extreme comfort aside, this bag also fitted our microadventure kit easily, and had all the features we’d look for in a proper hiking pack – including a plethora of pockets. While larger and heavier than the kind of daypack you would want for a canalside stroll, it is made for adventure.
Buy now Vango trail 25: £40.00, Vango
We loved the classy retro feel of this smart bag: its tough fabric, sewn-on labels and leather-esque handle reminded us of vintage camping gear, scouting trips and Duke of Edinburgh expeditions. That’s exactly the aesthetic Vango is aiming for with its heritage collection, which is modelled on its 50-year-old A-frame tents. The bag’s tech is decidedly modern, though: the back padding leaves great ventilation around your shoulders and spine, and the hydration system and raincover are welcome additions that don’t take up much weight. The lower cost means more plastic – clips and buckles – but overall this bag looks and performs way above its price range.
Buy now
Montane halogen 25: £85.00, Montane
Tough, durable and lightweight, this bag is perfect for longish walks with varied terrain but relatively close to civilisation. The back system is comfortable and endlessly customisable, which means it handles loading better than most daypacks: even hastily packed, it felt well balanced and secure. We also loved the slightly off-centre buckle on the chest strap, often a hotspot for chafing. While the Montane couldn’t quite fit our whole microadventure kit, it came very close thanks to the amazing variety of pockets: we were particularly keen on the long “baguette” pocket, which we found to be a welcome place to store walking poles on the train home.
Buy now The verdict
The Fjallraven keb hike is a smart and beautiful bag that can also survive cross-country skiing and mountaineering – exactly what you want in a versatile daypack. If your route has more inns than inclines, the Vango trail bag is a perfect souped-up city bag.