Vango Ultralite 30 daypack
30L £45.00
At only 700g, this pack is the lightest and most compact of the three I tested. I squeezed it into bike panniers on a cycling trip to Norway where it came in handy for day hikes. It's meant for "mountain marathons and adventure races" meaning it's sturdy and hard-wearing. The removable stiffener in the back kept sharp corners from sticking into my back. There's a top pocket for small stuff and side mesh pockets for water bottles. The little zip pocket on the waist belt is useful for coins and mobile phone, too. Lightness and relative compactness are the main attributes here. If you want a daypack to whip out for longerhaul adventures, this is the one.
Reviewed on 21/08/2007 by Paul Miles