Gear of The year 2021

VOTED BY TRAIL READERS

OSPREY MUTANT 38 £135

Surprisingly roomy for its nominal 38-litre capacity, with useful features like a floating lid, integrated top stowage for a climbing helmet and a ‘flapjacket’ top cover for fast and light mountain missions, the Mutant is a really functional technical pack. Importantly, it’s also a stable carry, even when fully loaded, thanks to its sturdy framesheet and twin internal angled aluminium stays.

VERDICT Still our go-to pack for technical mountain days all year round, even for graded winter climbs and scrambles. The Mutant is a proven performer that we’d carry almost anywhere.