Recommended Price: £44.99
Weight: 645g (as reviewed)
This small pack from Alpkit is just the size for a day hike when you have compact kit and don’t need any winter gear.
Despite the diminutive dimensions, the pack is actually pretty fully featured. There’s a zipped main compartment, complete with a sleeve for a hydration pouch. There’s a mesh pocket at the top of the interior for valuables, and separate zipped external top pocket, as well as a large stretchy rear pouch and two side pockets – each of which can fit a litre water bottle if needed , though they are a bit tight. The well-padded hip belt has two further easy access zipped mesh pockets.
The foam padding at the back of the shoulders is shaped to aid ventilation, and the small size of the pack really helps reduce sweat too. The shoulder straps are comfy and well-padded for the size of the pack, and the chest strap buckle also functions as a whistle. There are two ice-axe loops which can function in combination with the side compression straps, though I don’t reckon you could fit much winter kit in such a small pack; they are likely to be of more use for stowing trekking poles.
Although the weight seems quite high for the size, the materials used are substantial and feel really robust – the Presta seems built to last. The stretchy back pocket is the one part I think may start to show wear if mistreated. There’s no pack cover included; personally I use a waterproof liner. Quality of construction is excellent, and I think the price is very reasonable for a small pack that really does everything you could ask of it.