As gear gets lighter, the need to use mammoth multi-day packs has lessened. The smaller packs shown here can haul everything you need for a two or three-day mission.

Capacity

Gear is getting lighter and it’s possible to cram all you need for an overnight hut-based trip into a 28-litre pack. Most overnight packs are between 35 and 50 litres, with the larger packs also suitable for longer trips or those where a tent is carried.

Pockets

A front stash pocket or bungee system can store quick-access items like a rain jacket. Other pockets could include: stretch-mesh side pockets for drink bottles, and organiser pockets on the lid, hip belt and shoulder straps

Fabric

Fabrics can handle scrapes and knocks without tearing. Heavier, more durable fabrics are often used in high-wear or stress areas, such as the pack’s base. Fabrics are treated with a silicon coating for water resistance.

Shoulder straps

Padded straps contour around the neck and armpits. Adjustable sternum straps help stabilise the pack and manage pressure points.

Compression

All packs have compression straps that provide stability and can modify the pack’s profile to suit the amount of gear carried.

Harness and back panel

Some larger capacity packs have an adjustable back-length harness, although most are a fixed length. A ‘trampoline’ or a ventilated foam back panel provides airflow and muscle support.

Hip belt

Most overnight packs have a supportive, padded hip belt, which is good for heavier loads. Ultralight packs designed for carrying the lightest gear, or smaller capacity packs, may have only a webbing strap to ensure load stability.

Women’s packs

Many packs come in women-specific options with a smaller harness and shorter hip belt. Shoulder straps are narrower and contoured differently.

Aarn Mountain Magic 50 Pro $549

A mid-volume framed balance pack with a pared-back design to reduce weight. There are removable Multi Pro Balance Pockets (7l), an adjustable back length, a form-fitting back panel with mesh air gap, front and side pockets, roll-top closure and ice axe and hiking pole attachments. Fabric 70D Robic Gridstop, 210D Robic Gridstop base Capacity 50l Weight 810g + 256g pockets. www.aarnpacks.com

Rab Muon 40 $499.95

A streamlined pack for fast and light trips. It has a removable lid, close-fitting TRI-FLEX carry system with wraparound harness, shaped lumbar pad and supportive hipbelt. There are front and side pockets, a hiking pole carry system and it’s hydration compatible. Fabric 100D high-tenacity nylon with Spectra Ripstop (85% recycled) Capacity 40l Weight 895g. www.outfitters.co.nz

Rab Exion 48 $529.95

This do-it-all pack has a simplified design and an adjustable V-TRAX carry system, a thermo-formed harness and dual densities of foam, a U-shaped front zip and zipped lower entry, front stash and hipbelt and harness pockets, walking pole attachments and a 6mm aluminium frame. Fabric 330D Nylon Stripe Dobby with Hydroshield Coating Capacity 48L Weight 1640g. www.outfitters.co.nz

Kiwi Ultralight Tui 42 $425

A New Zealand-made pack, among the lightest in the world, designed for fast and light trips where ultralight gear is carried. It’s frameless, has seven external pockets, roll down closure, adjustable and removable hipbelt (120g) to lessen pack weight and it comes in a variety of patterns. Fabric HyperD 300 polyester  Capacity 42l Weight 420g. www.kiwiultralight.co.nz

Patagonia Terravia Pack 36 $379.99

This weekend pack has a breathable backpanel and shoulder straps, expandable roll-top closure, internal frame, pockets on the hip belt and at top, front drop-in pocket for quick access gear and a removable rain cover. It’s hydration compatible and made in a Fair Trade Certified factory. Fabric 140D recycled nylon ripstop, 210D base Capacity 36l Weight 1066g. www.patagonia.co.nz

Big Agnes Prospector 50 $429.99

This pack has a compression-moulded back panel, contoured shoulder straps, foam-padded hip belt and the Hoist Compression system for carrying stability. It has zipped side access, hiking pole and axe attachments, roll-top closure and is hydration compatible. Women’s version is the Sun Dog. Fabric Recycled high-tenacity nylon, heavy-duty twill Fabric base Capacity 50l (m), 45l (w) Weight 1390g (m), 1280g (w). www.bigagnes.co.nz

ONE PLANET Grampian $419

A top-loading, roll-top closure overnighter with the Exact Fit Mid harness available in three sizes. It has a hand-bent hardened aluminium frame, two front pockets, walking pole and external gear attachments, YKK zips, external and internal hydration pockets. Made in Melbourne. Fabric 210D Diamondloc nylon with UHMWPE ripstop grid  Capacity 38l Weight 1300g. www.oneplanet.au

Deuter Futura Pro 38SL|40 $399.95

This pack prioritises ventilation with the Aircomfort Sensic Pro mesh back system. It has separate compartments, moveable hip fins with ergonomic padded inserts, side bellows pockets, pole and axe attachments, a removable rain cover and it’s hydration compatible. Fabric 210D polyester, 600D polyester base Capacity 40l (m), 38l (w). Weight 1620g (m), 1600g (w). www.mountainadventure.co.nz

Exped Skyline 45 $399.99

This pack’s removable lid doubles as a waist pack. It has a roll-top closure, an ergonomically shaped Air Flow back system that adapts to the back, breathable shoulder straps and a close-to-body fit for carrying comfort. It has an adjustable back length, padded hip belt, internal frame and a side zip for quick access. Fabric Recycled polyester, 1500mm. Capacity 45l Weight 1355g. www.bivouac.co.nz

Osprey Exos|Eja 48 $399.99

This pack is made with recycled materials and can carry loads of up to 14kg. It features an ExoForm harness and hipbelt, height-adjustable AirSpeed ventilated suspension system, removable floating lid, front and side stretch mesh pockets, dual axe attachments, stow-on-the-go pole attachment, and it’s hydration compatible. Fabric 100D nylon, 400D nylon base Capacity 48l Weight 1255g (m – Exos), 1209g (w – Eja). www.southernapproach.co.nz

Montane Trailblazer 44 $320

Designed for multi-day or overnight adventures in the mountains, it has recycled materials throughout, a precurved aluminium frame, a large mesh zipped front pocket, mesh side pockets, side zip access to main compartment, relocatable T-hooks for adaptable front-panel storage, and it’s hydration compatible. Fabric Nylon, 210d triple ripstop base Capacity 44l Weight 1090g. www.furtherfaster.co.nz

ONE PLANET Hot Sauce $399

This pack has a roll-top closure and removable bungee and compression straps to trim overall weight. It has a compact, supportive and ventilated Exact Fit Mid Lite harness, a hardened aluminium frame, walking pole attachments, water bottle pockets and it’s hydration compatible. Made in Melbourne. Fabric 210D Diamondloc nylon with UHMWPE ripstop grid Capacity 50l Weight 1200g. www.oneplanet.au