Ultra comfortable and highly configurable multi-day tramping pack

506g, with Balance Pockets – Sport (S) / 50, 55 + 12 litres

Plusses: Highly adjustable, lightweight, increased comfort and balance, ease of access to equipment
Minuses: Frame is wide; expensive

Features: Tough, ultralight Dyneema fabric further lightens the Featherlite Freedom, a staple of the Aarn range, to create this Pro model. With a highly adjustable harness, this transalpine-capable pack has crampon, ice axe and hiking pole attachments and front and side sleeves for clothing or tent poles. There’s an integrated but removable waterproof liner and it closes with a roll top. Sport Balance Pockets are optional but recommended components to complete this pack system and add up to 12L capacity. Add-ons include ski straps, compression straps and climbing gear racking.

Fit: This is the most adjustable and configurable pack I have ever used and it is pleasantly light. It comes in two sizes (Sml – 50L and Med – 55L), each with an adjustable back length. The hip belt can be adjusted in both angle and circumference, and the buckle has dual adjustment (four straps instead of the usual two), allowing for a refined fit. Initial pack fitting is best done by expert retail staff, but it’s also easy to tweak in the field.

Comfort: The maximum recommended load is 15kg, but I comfortably carried 20kg that I distributed through the main sack and two Balance Pockets. Generous use of mesh, moderate padding and pivoting shoulder straps and waist belt help the harness conform to your body and move with you. Best of all are the Balance Pockets, which do what their name suggests: balance you and the load better. Because the load was not confined to my back, I found the impact on my body was lessened, particularly in my shoulders. The pack was extremely comfortable.

In use: I tested this pack on a 10-day trip, much of it in bouldery river beds, on basic tracks or off track. The improved balance allowed me to move confidently and stand more upright than usual. The pockets kept my camera and extra lens, snacks and other small items accessible, improving my efficiency. The integrated liners kept my gear dry in heavy rain.

My only complaints are that when tunnelling through thick scrub, the top corners caught more than a narrower pack would, and the lower Balance Pocket tension bungees came undone a few times.

Value: Compared with other similar capacity packs the Featherlite Freedom Pro with Balance Pockets is more expensive, however, the increased comfort and functionality make the extra cost worthwhile, particularly if easing strain on your body is a priority.

Verdict: Aarn’s Balance Packs are backpacks rethought. I experienced less stress on shoulders, back and knees and greater ease of travel through rough terrain. I will be using an Aarn pack more in future.