Seven large-capacity multi-day packs put to the bush-bash test
Montane Grand Tour 55l $249
This is a midsize top-loading alpine pack with an emphasis on simplicity, comfort and weight-saving.
The North Face Banchee 50 $399
The Banchee is is a typical backpacking pack, but with two main points of difference. The first is its weight. Despite having eight pockets and oodles of features, it comes in at 1500g. The second is the extremely curvaceous frame, which is designed to offer exceptional lumbar support.
Osprey Aether 70 AG $429
The Aether 70 AG updates Osprey’s classic Aether line of packs with its Anti Gravity (AG) harness.
Lowe Alpine Manaslu 55 $499.95
This is an attractively designed pack with a narrow body, low-profile mesh pockets and all the backpacker’s essentials.
Tatonka Bison 75+10 $499
Everything about the Bison is supersized: from the huge paddles on the hip-belt and extra long straps through to the sheer bulk and height of it.
Exped Thunder 50 $299.90
At 1530g, the Thunder 50 is light, but not at the expense of useful, and clever, features.
Cactus Foray 75 $699
Weighing in at 2995g, the Foray is everything you might expect from an old-school Kiwi pack.