Vaude Tour 40
This is a feature-crammed trail bag that’s got everything a larger backpack would: a separate zippable floor compartment, built-in rain cover, side compression straps, side pockets, zip lid compartment, expandable main compartment and trekking pole loops.
It’s hydration system compatible and has an adjustable airflow system that allows you to change the amount of ventilation. You can also change the size of the bag to fit your back.
In fact, this bag is so elaborate it comes with a manual. Be warned: if you don’t pack and adjust it properly, you may end up with tight muscles and a tension headache. It’s slightly more spacious than the 35 litre pack recommended for Kili, so it gives you extra room to play with and you don’t risk squashing things. However, just make sure you don’t end up carrying too much. A heavy bag is thought by some mountaineers to increase your chances of getting mountain sickness.
Weight: 1420g
RRP: R860
Salomon Minim 30
What a bag! Initially, we didn’t think much of it. With its sharply curved profile and huge cavity for airflow at the back, we didn’t think it would be able to fit anything more than a hydration system, but it was really quite astoundingly roomy and just seemed to keep expanding to fit waterproof pants and jacket, a down jacket, two fleeces, three litres of water, lunch, snacks, sunblock, bits of rock shaped like Africa… You get the picture.
Perhaps even more impressive than its deceptive interior size was its weight and comfort. Even with a frame, airflow system and padded shoulders and waist, it doesn’t hit the 700g mark. The frame gave great support and kept weight off our shoulders. The main compartment’s bidirectional longitudinal zip proved practical, if unconventional, and the small top zipped compartment was perfect for hats, sunglasses and small fiddly bits.
Side compression straps, adjustable webbing, hydration system compatibility, two external stretch mesh pockets and trekking pole attachment points mean this ultra-funky daypack has everything you need – except one. It doesn’t have a built-in rain cover, so you’ll need to buy that separately. I did have one more niggle: I found the waist and chest straps were difficult to adjust while wearing the bag. However, this is still the niftiest daypack we’ve encountered so far.
Weight: 675g
RRP: R995
