Highlander Ben Nevis 52

How much the empty rucksack adds to what you carry, as sold. 7: Better than most.

Highlander lists 1.46 kg for the one size (1,460 g), in the 1,000 to 1,499 g band. The Great Outdoors lists 1,266 g in its quick specs, also in this band, so the score would not change.

How well it carries a full camping load over a long day: hip belt, shoulder straps, back and how the weight sits. 7: Better than most.

The Great Outdoors used it on spring overnight expeditions, one below freezing, with a big sleeping bag, a mountain tent and group safety kit (weight not stated): the back felt hard at first and the shoulder straps stayed bulky, but the hip belt faded from notice and the load stayed stable (scored 3 out of 5; "not as comfortable as some" is one of its cons). Backpacking UK carried about 11.5 kg, water and food included, on a one-night wild camp in the Peak District and called the pack super comfy in a brief remark (4). Highlander's shop reviews average 4.7 out of 5 overall (21 reviews), and several describe camping trips: a 4-day camping walk on the South West Coast Path at 10 to 12 kg with a really comfortable carry, an 8-day trek in Patagonia with a full sleep system (not a verified purchase), and a Dartmoor wild camp that only needed the fit adjusting, against one buyer whose shoulder straps were very uncomfortable after a few hours on a night out on Kinder Scout (4). Advnture, Outdoors Magic and Live for the Outdoors call the carry comfortable but give no load or night out, so they are not counted.

How well the fabric, zips, buckles and frame hold up over seasons of use. 6: A bit better than average.

The Great Outdoors saw no wear beyond mud staining after 3 spring expeditions, though it was deliberately hard on the zips, buckles and stitching and all held (scored 4 out of 5). Advnture's chest strap pulled clean off its runner early on (the reviewer admits over-tightening it) and a small hole showed in the front mesh (2). Highlander's shop reviews are mixed (3): one buyer had strap seams come loose on a 5-week trip and was given a replacement under warranty, the chest strap came off in one review and slid up to the neck in another, but an 8-day trek in Patagonia left the fabric with barely a scratch (not a verified purchase). The sources are 2 points apart because Advnture's problems showed up early on one strap and one mesh pocket, while the others found no wear over longer or harder use. Outdoors Magic and Live for the Outdoors judged the build on first use, so they are not counted; Outdoors Magic notes the stretch mesh pockets look vulnerable to snags and scuffs.

Reviewers disagree on this.