Many of us now choose to have our bags moved along Britains finest long distance routes. This leaves us with the advantage of traveling light, without the need for a heavy 50L bag on our back, carring everything we need to enjoy our holiday and adventure.
Osprey Hikelite 26 Rucksack
Design
The Hikelite features a slender narrow and minimalist design with everything a pack needs and nothing more. It’s nothing we have not seen before but it stands up the test of time.
Durability
The pack is constructed with 100 denier fabric. That’s tough for a pack that only weighs 0.7kg
Functionality
The pack features a large front mesh pocket, internal storage, two generous water bottle pockets and two compression sacks.
Price
For £80.00, this pack isn’t the cheapest, but you get the Osprey Guarantee to back up your purchase.
Technical Specifications
Weight
455g
Volume
25L
Dimensions
48 x 28 x 28
Denier
100
Back System
Wire frame with foam
our verdict
The Osprey Hikelite 26 is a well featured and durable day pack. It features a striking design in its Shiitake Grey as show, but also features 6 colours in total.Â
The pack features a vented back panel, which really helps with mosture movement/less sweat when your taking on the harder climbs.Â
For the size some may find the single corded waist strap to be too narrow and cutting but the pack isn’t designed to be a weight carrier so this generally shouldn’t be an issue.
The little featured here make a real difference such as the scratch free sunglasses and electronics pocket, and the internal key attachments plus the choice to remove the hip-belt. Â
Overall, this is an excellent, lightweight hiking pack and an ideal choice if Osprey is on your radar.Â
our ratings
dESIGN
4.5/5DURABILITY
5/5FUNCTIONALITY
5/5PRICE
4/5total rating
4.7/5Montane Halogen 25 Daypack
Design
The Montane Halogen 25 L day pack embraces a timeless design, using tough ripstop grid style fabric, and minimal features.
Durability
With well made durable plastic buckles, backed up by a 210 denier ripstop fabric, you can throw this pack around with little issue.
Functionality
Being a technical mountain use pack, this is a highly functional pack. Day hiking scratches the surface of what this pack can do.
Price
The Montane Halogen 25 has an RRP of £85.00.
Technical Specifications
Weight
871g
Volume
25L
Dimensions
51 x 28 x 20
Denier
210
Back System
Open Mesh
our verdict
The Montane Halogen pack has been designed as a technical mountain pack but I included it as I feel these often make for the best day packs for long distance hiking. Why? Well if a pack is comfortable enough for a long day in the mountains, its certainly good enough for a long day on your long distance trail.
The pack is constructed with RAPTOR Geo fabric, which is marketing linguo for a tough 210 denier ripstop fabric. The pack features two generous hip belts, and an open mesh back system. Honestly I’m not a huge fan of open mesh systems as they are prone to collecting dirt and don’t clean down as easy but it does allow for reasonable airflow.Â
Being a technical mountaineering pack, the profile of the pack is slim, with its compression straps, thin and descreet so to avoid too many flapping parts when your walking. Everything tucks away neatly. Walking poles can be securely attached using the same sysem designed to attach ice axes. That’s a pretty standard feature for this type of pack, but its’ good its not been missed.
Overall, the Montane Halogen 25Â
our ratings
dESIGN
4.5/5DURABILITY
5/5FUNCTIONALITY
5/5PRICE
4/5total rating
4.6/5Lowe Alpine Aeon 27
Design
This is a generously sized yet slim profile pack designed for moving light in the hills.
Durability
Like previous models the pack features a 210 denier outer fabric but is fronted with a thin stretchy mesh which will snag easily.
Functionality
The Lowe Alpine Aeon 27L is a remarkably well featured pack designed for a number of uses from mountain biking to hiking.
Price
This pack is the most expensive of the bunch at £90.00 but also has the biggest volume at 27L.
Technical Specifications
Weight
0.854 kg
Volume
27L
Dimensions
52 x 25 x 22 (medium)
Denier
210
Back System
Velcro Adjustable open grid
our verdict
The Lowe Alpine Aeon 27 has been marketed as a true all-rounder pack. Designed for everything from mountaineering use to a lightweight overnighter. This generously sized back has a huge entry zip, along with two generous side pockets, a large front mesh pocket, two more mesh hip belt pockets and a top pocket.Â
It features Lowe Alpines ‘Air Contour’ back system which creates an anatomically shaped back system which moulds to the shape of the users back when pulled tight. This creates a very stable pack, even when used for fast-paced activities.Â
The hip belts are also generously sized and enable lots of movement.Â
Naturally, the pack features pole grippers, large zip pulls and a hydration pouch.Â
This is not the lightest pack, but it features the most comfortable back system of the range shown here.Â
our ratings
dESIGN
5/5DURABILITY
4.5/5FUNCTIONALITY
5/5PRICE
4.5/5total rating
4.7/5Berghaus 24/7
Design
The Berghaus 24/7 has been designed to suit hikers, and commuters alike. Nothing to ‘techical’ here.
Durability
Like previous models the pack features a 210 denier outer fabric but is fronted with a thin stretchy mesh which will snag easily.
Functionality
The Lowe Alpine Aeon 27L is a remarkably well featured pack designed for a number of uses from mountain biking to hiking.
Price
At £40.00 you cannot go too far wrong for your money. It’s not feature heavy, but it’s definitely worth your attention.
Technical Specifications
Weight
455g
Volume
25L
Dimensions
50 x 28 x 20
Denier
600
Back System
Foam and Air Mesh
our verdict
This pack was not really designed for a specific use. Opposed to previous packs, which were made for a range of uses, the Berghaus was very much designed as simple daypack for anything you fancy using it for. Think of it as an entry level bag.Â
That being said, it’s made of strong stuff, with a 600 (yes 600!) denier fabric. It does have walking pole loops, a waist cord, and hydration pouch.
I’m a little unsure of how useful the crab is on the outside but I am sure if you hike with a dog that would make a useful poo bag clip…
Overall, this is a competitively prices pack, which will be great for shorter day hikes. If you were to load it up to 25L with water, spare clothes and a good lunch you will not find it overly comfortable. But for most short summer hikes it’s perfectly adequate.Â
And it looks nice too.Â
