Got a load to transport? Put it on your back. No matter how little, a backpack or rucksack is the most comfortable way to carry any essential gear you want with you throughout the day – whether you’re trekking through the hills and valleys or day tripping into town when at your holiday caravan park. And it’s definitely best for your back itself, as well as overall posture.
Sack race
Here’s our round-up of daysacks and smaller rucksacks, plus some buying advice.
Top tips for buying a rucksack or backpack
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- Get the right fit. It might sound obvious, but it really is worth getting to a specialist retailer and trying any pack on your back to see that it suits you. You’ll get good advice here, too.
- Capacity counts. Make sure you have enough space to carry the items you regularly want to take out with you. Don’t forget ancillaries such as clips or holders for drinks bottles, walking poles etc.
- Consider back support. This varies a lot from pack to pack. Rigid metal frames give the best support as well as ventilation, but they do add bulk.
- Think about the weather. Items like rain covers can be very useful. Another tip is to put any essential kit in waterproof bags inside your backpack.
- Ease of access is another key criterion. Not just getting into the main storage area(s), but also any pockets.
Star Player 1
Vango Apex Air 40 rucksack
A full 40-litre rucksack from Vango’s Apex line-up of rucksacks – it’s also relatively light, at 1.06kg, so perfect for trekking.
Vango says its elasticated X-Air UL Back means extra comfort as well as load stabilising to bring the loaded rucksack up and back towards your centre of gravity.
There are plenty of pockets here, too – front (ideal for waterproofs), zipped lid, mesh to each side, plus a hip belt with zipped storage – so you can be flexible with your storage, with the latter also contributing to enhanced load stabilisation.
Key features Excel 200D Ripstop fabric with reflective detailing, 6mm aluminium frame, SBS zips, Duraflex buckles, hydration compatible, zipped lid pocket, mesh side pockets, adjustable chest strap, walking pole holders
Expect to pay £115
Star Player 2
Sierra Designs Flex Hike 20-30 backpack
An expanding rucksack that allows you to cater for loads of between 20 and 30 litres and an optimal carry weight of between 4.5kg and 11kg.
A unisex design, with dual adjustable shoulder straps, the Flex Hike backpack also has stretch mesh side pockets and more mesh storage on its hip belt. Access to the main compartment is via a U-shaped zipped top, with a smaller pocket also here for items you want more instant access to.
It’s a light 0.85kg unladen and dimensions are 30cm x 10cm x 50cm high.
Colour choice is Peat (pictured) or Butterscotch.
Key features 100D nylon honeycomb/400D Oxford polyester fabrics, zipped key pocket, 28in-52in hip belt, hydration pack ready
Expect to pay £150
Star Player 3
Sierra Designs Flex Lumbar 3-6
Take this one for the hip. It’s an expandable smaller-scale day pack based on the same company’s Flex Capacitor expandable rucksack and it’s ideal for days out, hikes, bike rides or running.
There’s also a larger size – 7-10 litres – should you want a bigger capacity. Each also comes with stretch mesh pockets for carrying water bottles etc.
There are two colours: Peat (here) or blue.
Key features Fully adjustable straps, padded hip belt, zipped pocket for valuables, 100D nylon-polyester ripstop, for hips up to 52in/132cm
Expect to pay £55
Star Player 4
Craghoppers Kiwi Classic Rolltop backpack
Strong on heritage as well as features, this backpack includes a padded compartment that can take a 16in laptop computer.
And there’s a café strap. That’s a fitting at the bottom of the backpack strap so you can clip around a chair or table for added security whilst your bag is on the floor rather than in your hands.
The Kiwi Classic Roll Top is made from polyester that in turn comes from recycled plastic bottles, with a DWR (durable water repellent) finish that offers protection from light rain.
There are two colour choices – black or blue navy.
Key features 100% polyester with PU coating, strap webbing 100% polyamide, padded shoulder and back panels, adjustable sternum strap, side pockets and gear loops, reflective detailing, 20-litre capacity, unladen weight 640g, guaranteed for life
Expect to pay £70
Star Player 5
Berghaus Arrow 30 Rucsac
A unisex rucksack for more extended walking trips.
Its Flow Back system includes vented foam, plus there’s a height adjustable chest strap. The zipped lid and side pockets are generous, plus there are attachments for walking poles.
Shown here is the black/red version. There’s also dark blue/pink.
Key features Polyester fabric, 30-litre capacity, YKK zips, packable rain cover included, hydration pack compatible, dimensions 28cm x 18cm x 56cm high, weight 760g, free repair service
Expect to pay £85
Star Player 6
CamelBak Fourteener™ 26 Hydration Hiking Pack
This backpack is available in men’s (26L) and women’s versions (24L). As well as plenty of storage space, these include CamelBak’s Crux Reservoir and Quicklink hydration system, and they still weigh less than 1kg before you add anything.
There’s also ventilation for the hip belt. It’s dual wing, meaning there’s an inner belt that transfers weight to the hips, and an outer belt that compresses weight and provides extra storage. Plus, there’s an elasticated external pocket that acts as an overflow for stowing gear you want to access easily.
Key features Recycled 210D ripstop nylon, dual wing hip belt, trekking pole attachment, weight 970g, lifetime warranty
Expect to pay £140
Star Player 7
Regatta Packaway Hippack
Fantastic value from Regatta, this backpack packs away into its own lower pocket and can then be stashed away or clipped to your waist. The shoulder straps are breathable and have adjustment.
There’s zipped access to its main storage compartment.
Available in Black, Aqua and Dark Denim Nautical Blue
Key features 100% polyester, pocket bag with adjustable straps, dimensions 27.5cm x 15cm x 45cm high
Expect to pay £9.95
Star Player 8
Osprey Hikelite 18 daypack
For more serious trekking. The light but strong alloy frame is a positive aid to carrying comfort, allowing space for ventilation between the rucksack and your back. The breathable mesh panel here is a help, too.
If you want optimal stability, you can use the removable 25mm hip belt.
There’s zip access to the main compartment. While the side mesh pockets are taller than most. Plus there’s a small zipped pocket for key storage etc. And trekking pole loops.
Key features 3D-tensioned breathable mesh back panel, front loader design, adjustable sternum strap with rescue whistle, 18-litre capacity, six colour choices
Expect to pay £100
Over to you…
Got any advice on rucksacks and daysacks you’d like to pass on to fellow holiday caravanners for when out walking, hiking or days out?
Please feel free to add a comment below.
