Black Diamond Speed 40 £140

+ Superb value, very versatile, excellent all-rounder

- Not enough pockets, non-adjustable torso length, top-only access Technical, versatile and high-performing at a surprisingly good price, the Black Diamond Speed 40 is a superb all-rounder. It has a classic mountaineering pack shape – tall, thin and streamlined – and a no-nonsense (yet elegant) design that strikes a sweet spot between simplicity and practicality.

Winter-ready attributes include snag-free crampon straps, ice axe attachments called PickPockets, and a tuck-away rope strap

– a trio of features highlighting this pack’s hardcore alpine credentials. But the Speed 40 is wonderfully versatile and it works excellently for hillwalking too. It is fully stripable, with the waistbelt, lid and internal framesheet all removable to suit your exact needs, while all-round, all-day comfort for hiking is very respectable.

The back system – a thermoformed, foam back panel plus internal framesheet with aluminium stays – feels reasonably rigid, delivering good structure and load-carrying capacity despite the minimalist approach. The hip fins are pared back and not too chunky, but still hug your figure and feel supportive, and the shaped shoulder straps do their job well too. The lid, meanwhile, is top-loading with drawskirt closure and two zippered pockets. Annoyingly this means the pack has no pockets (bar a hydration bladder sleeve) if you use it without the lid.

■ Weight 1190g (small/medium)

■ Volume 40 litres ■ Sizes Small/medium, medium/large ■ Main fabrics 210-denier ripstop main, 420-denier abrasion