Lightweight Hiking Backpack: 20 Top UK Picks and Guide 2025

Trim a kilogram from your pack and a Munro suddenly feels more like a morning stroll. For most UK walkers “lightweight” means anything under 800 g for a day-pack or beneath 1.4 kg for a multi-day hauler—a slim margin that saves tired shoulders, steadies balance on wet rock and leaves extra room for tea and treats.

This guide rounds up 20 backpacks you can actually buy in Britain right now, each one weighed, worn and stress-tested. You’ll find a rapid buying checklist, clear pros and cons, capacity pointers from 20 L to 60 L, women-specific fits, wallet-kind bargains and splurge-worthy Dyneema models, plus simple upkeep tips. Current 2025 prices, warranty details and UK delivery notes sit alongside every recommendation—so you can pick, click and get back on the trail.

1. Quick Buying Guide: What Really Makes a Backpack “Lightweight”?

Before you start scrolling through shiny product shots, take two minutes to clock the fundamentals. A true lightweight hiking backpack shaves grams without tanking comfort, durability or safety. The kit below distils thousands of soggy UK miles into a fast-track checklist—bookmark it, screenshot it, tattoo it on your trekking pole, whatever works.

Weight Benchmarks & Load-to-Weight Ratio

A pack is only “light” if it carries more than it weighs. The rule of thumb many UK guides use is a 10:1 load-to-weight ratio (your full carry should be ten times the empty pack weight).

Shaving kit weight pays diminishing returns, so focus first on big items: shelter, sleep system, cookset. Swapping a 1 kg synthetic bag for a 600 g down quilt frees 400 g immediately—often more than you’ll save by gambling on a flimsier pack.

Fit, Frame & Suspension Essentials

Weight figures mean nothing if the pack doesn’t fit. Measure torso length by running a tape from the C7 vertebra (sticky-out neck bone) to the iliac crest line (top of hip bone) and compare with brand sizing.

• Frameless: < 500 g; brilliant for sub-7 kg loads but flop against your back if stuffed full of tins.
• Removable stay / framesheet: 600–1000 g; adds structure, keeps a rolled mat rigid. Tip: pull the stay at camp to double as a splint or wind shield.
• Full internal frame: 900–1400 g; still counts as a lightweight hiking backpack if it carries 18+ kg comfortably.

Ventilation matters in clammy British drizzle. Trampoline mesh (Osprey AirSpeed) creates an air gap but steals a little internal volume. Foam channels (Gregory FreeFloat) ventilate less yet hug the body for scrambling.

Fabric Durability vs. Gram Savings

Fabric is the battleground between weight and longevity:

• 70–100 denier ripstop nylon: the budget sweet spot; use a pack liner in heavy rain.
• Dyneema® Composite Fabric (DCF): crazily light, naturally waterproof, pricier than a week in Snowdonia.
• Ultra-200 / Ultra-400: blends UHMWPE fibres with recycled polyester; tougher per gram than DCF and now common on 2025 models.

Hydrostatic head (HH) values hint at waterproofing. Anything below 1000 mm still needs a liner or dry bags on Scottish bog trots. Seam taping adds weight but prevents seepage—crucial if you skip a rain cover.

Capacity Cheat Sheet for UK Trips

Use litres as a planning aid, not a bragging right. The table below matches popular British routes to realistic volumes:

Compression straps mean a 50 L bag can cinch down for day walks, so err larger if you’re unsure.

Common FAQs From the SERP

How much should a hiking backpack weigh?
Aim for a pack that is ≤ 10 % of your base weight. If your non-pack gear totals 8 kg, look for something around 800 g.

Is 50 L too big for a day hike?
Not if it has proper side and top compression. Roll the collar, tighten the straps and it’ll ride snugly, giving you elbow room for winter layers or photography kit.

Can I go frameless in the UK?
Yes—if you keep loads under 7–8 kg, use a foam mat as an internal “pillow” and pack soft items against your back to stop that titanium mug poking you mid-scramble.

Keep these pointers handy and you’ll breeze through the 20 packs below, spotting the one that fits your torso, trip plan and wallet long before the next weather warning rolls in.

2. Best Overall Ultralight All-Rounder: Osprey Exos Pro 55

If you want one pack that can hop from a Lake District weekend to a two-week thru-hike on the West Highland Way without tipping the scales, Osprey’s Exos Pro 55 is the safe bet. It ticks every box of a lightweight hiking backpack—credible sub-1.2 kg weight, proven comfort, and it’s stocked by most UK retailers, so spares and warranty support are easy to find.

Key Specs at a Glance

Stand-out Features

• AirSpeed™ suspended mesh back panel keeps sweaty layers off your spine on muggy Pennine ascents.
• Updated NanoFly™ UHMWPE-reinforced nylon offers 200 D durability at 100 D weights.
• Fully removable floating lid, side and bottom straps; ditch them and you’re under 1 kg.
• Dual-access stretch pockets swallow a 1 L Nalgene or a soggy flysheet with room to spare.

Field Performance in UK Conditions

Three days of sleet on Snowdon proved the Exos Pro’s water-shedding fabric and quick-drain mesh don’t become sponges. The spring-steel frame and 3D-tensioned lumbar pad transfer 12–13 kg comfortably; above that the hip-belt starts to fold. On blocky granite scrambles the narrow profile hugs the body, though the tall collar can clip a helmet when you look up.

Ideal User & Possible Drawbacks

Buy this pack if your carry weight hovers below 13 kg and you prize ventilation. Skip it if you crave hip-belt pockets (there are none), routinely haul winter climbing racks, or prefer the burlier feel of packs like Granite Gear’s Crown3. For everyone else, the Exos Pro 55 delivers the best gram-for-gram balance of support, features and availability in 2025.

3. Custom-Made in Britain: Atom Packs Atom+ 40

Want a pack that feels like it was grown on your own back rather than lifted off a shelf? The Atom+ 40 is hand-built to order in Cumbria, giving you control over everything from torso length to pocket style. Because you pick the fabric, colour and extras, weight can dip below 850 g or creep nearer 1 kg—still firmly in lightweight territory for a 40-litre hauler. A six-to-eight-week lead time applies, but the payoff is a rucksack that fits you, your kit list and typical Lakeland weather, not some average of market research stats.

Made-to-Order Options

• Torso sizes: 16, 18, 20 and 22 in (custom half-inch tweaks on request).
• Fabric: 210 D Dyneema Gridstop (burly), DCF Hybrid (waterproof) or Ultra-200 (tougher per gram, recycled content).
• Pocket layouts: choose one or two shoulder pockets, zippered belt pockets, bottom pocket for wet shelter, or keep it minimal.
• Extras: ice-axe loop, side compression, removable sit-pad sleeve, load lifters.
• RRP 2025: approximately £295–£340 depending on fabric.

Comfort & Carry Range

A U-shaped aluminium stay combined with a 10 mm closed-cell back pad spreads 9–15 kg sweetly across the hips, while the slim body keeps centre of gravity tight for Scottish ridge scrambles. Side pockets hold two 1-litre bottles without flopping; the roll-top seals out most rain, though seam-taping is optional rather than standard.

Sustainability & Local Manufacturing

Every Atom+ is stitched in a small Lake District workshop where off-cuts become repair patches, not landfill. The brand offers lifetime repairs at cost, cutting waste and travel miles. Buying British supports skilled jobs, slashes trans-atlantic shipping emissions and means spare parts—belt buckle, shoulder pocket—reach you in days, not months.

4. Comfort King on a Budget: Gregory Focal 48

If your spine wants luxury but your wallet screams “low-ball”, the Gregory Focal 48 hits the sweet spot. Tipping the scales at a verified 1.15 kg (size M) and retailing around £179 in 2025, it delivers big-brand comfort tech usually reserved for pricier, heavier rigs. The 48-litre volume is bang on for two-to-three-night UK outings where you still fancy a plush sleeping mat and a couple of real beers.

Suspension & Aerolid System

Gregory’s FreeFloat Ultralight harness marries a 7001-series alloy perimeter frame with flexible lower back panels that pivot as you walk, keeping the load glued to your hips on scree or stile. The suspended mesh “Aerolid” back panel curves away from your shirt to dump sweat yet sits closer than trampoline styles, so stability isn’t sacrificed on windy ridges. Dual-density foam shoulder straps spread weight without the brick-hard feel cheaper packs often have.

Price-to-Weight Comparison Table

You’re paying less than the Exos Pro for similar carry comfort, and only a hair more than stripped-down daypacks on a cost-per-gram basis.

Best Uses

• Duke of Edinburgh expeditions where supervisors insist on a framed pack.
• Hut-to-hut treks in the Alps or Norway where food resupply keeps total loads under 14 kg.
• Shoulder-season wild camps in the Lakes: the floating lid easily swallows a down jacket when the temperature dives.

If you value cushioned carry above chasing the absolute lightest digits—and you’d rather spend the savings on train tickets north—the Focal 48 is the comfort bargain to beat.

5. For Fast UK Fell Missions: Berghaus Fast Hike 32

Moving at running pace over Langdale scree or linking multiple Wainwrights demands a pack that carries like clothing yet swallows full hill kit. Tipping the scales around 760 g with a 32-litre envelope, Berghaus’s Fast Hike 32 is purpose-built for “speed hiking”—that grey area between trail running and traditional hillwalking where grams, bounce control and front-access storage matter more than internal frames or daisy chains.

Hybrid Vest-Pack Design

• Wide, soft-mesh shoulder yoke wraps the chest like an ultra-running vest, complete with twin 500 ml soft-flask holsters.
• Wrap-around hip fins add 7 litres of quick-reach storage for gloves, flapjacks or a compact wind shell.
• Elastic lashing cords on the rear panel let you stash wet poles or a jacket without breaking stride.
  The result is a stable ride that stays glued during joggy descents off Helvellyn’s Lower Man while still giving enough volume for a stove and light sleeping bag.

Weather Resistance

Constructed from 70 D ripstop nylon with a PU backing, the Fast Hike shrugs off light showers and dries fast after river crossings. A detachable rain cover (60 g) lives in the base pocket; leave it at home if you prefer an internal liner. Zips feature storm flaps and the shoulder mesh is closed-cell to avoid sponging up drizzle—handy on gusty Blencathra ridges.

Who It Suits

• Hikers clocking 30-plus kilometre days who want vest-style access without sacrificing overnight capacity.
• Trail runners graduating to multi-day adventures like the Cape Wrath Ultra recce.
• Minimalists aiming for sub-6 kg base weights but unwilling to give up proper hip support.

If your idea of fun is beating the sunset to the pub after tagging five summits, the Berghaus Fast Hike 32 keeps pace without feeling like a parachute on your back.

6. Day-Hike Favourite: Montane Trailblazer 25

Half a litre of tea, a waterproof, a map and the inevitable slab of fruitcake — that’s all most UK hill days demand. The Montane Trailblazer 25 carries those essentials with barely a whisper on your shoulders, tipping the scales at roughly 830 g yet feeling even lighter thanks to its close-hugging suspension. At around £115 in 2025 it’s the affordable, grab-and-go choice that keeps cropping up on Lakeland fells and Scottish corries alike.

Body-Hugging Atelier Harness

Montane’s Atelier harness wraps the pack around your torso like a running vest. Soft, elasticated panels adjust on the fly, pulling the load tight against your lumbar so the bag doesn’t swing when you hop over bog or boulder. An internal spring-steel stay gives just enough structure for a camera or small stove without wrecking the svelte profile.

Organisation & On-The-Fly Access

Four stretch chest pockets swallow soft flasks, phone or compass; twin stash wings on the hip belt keep snacks at lip level. The main 25 L chamber opens with a single-pull drawcord, while the oversized front dump pocket fits a wet hardshell or sit-mat. Side pockets are angled for bottle grabs without unclipping the sternum – ideal when the wind howls across Kinder Scout.

Women’s Fit Availability

A dedicated Trailblazer ND25 mirrors the men’s model but with a shorter back length, narrower shoulder span and curved hip-belt, ensuring female hikers get the same glove-like fit. Both versions maintain the same sub-kilogram weight, making this one of the few gender-specific options in the lightweight hiking backpack bracket.

7. Bomb-Proof & Waterproof: Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Southwest

If you need a lightweight hiking backpack that laughs in the face of sideways rain and gorse thickets, the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Southwest is it. At just under 910 g for a 55-litre body, this American import pairs minimal weight with near-military toughness, and—crucially for the UK—arrives seam-taped and virtually waterproof straight out of the box.

DCF Fabric & Seam Taping

The pack is built from 5 oz Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF), a sandwich of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fibres inside a waterproof film. DCF won’t wet-out like nylon, so even multi-hour Lake District deluges bead off rather than soak in. All load-bearing seams are taped and reinforced with thick Dyneema gridstop panels on the side and bottom pockets, protecting against Yorkshire stone walls and abrasive granite.

Roll-Top Compression for British Wet Weather

Instead of a lid, the Southwest uses a roll-top closure with side clips, creating a watertight seal similar to a dry bag and allowing you to cinch the pack down when food supplies run low. Three external pockets made from burly Hardline Dyneema drain instantly, letting you stash a sodden flysheet without marinating your sleeping bag. The minimalist aluminium stay and foam back panel comfortably transfer up to 15 kg—plenty for a week on the Cape Wrath Trail.

Cost vs. Lifetime Value Discussion

With an RRP hovering around £459 (plus roughly £35 VAT/import if buying direct), the Southwest costs more than some hikers’ entire kit. Yet many owners clock a decade of hard use thanks to DCF’s UV resistance and Hyperlite’s prompt repair service. Spread over 100 trekking days a year, the price equates to less than a pub lunch per outing—worth it if “fail-safe” tops your gear checklist.

8. Thru-Hiker Classic: ULA Circuit

Ask long-distance hikers on the Pennine Way what’s on their back and odds are you’ll hear “the Circuit”. Sitting right on the 1.2 kg line, this lightweight hiking backpack balances comfort, durability and capacity so well that it has become the default choice for 2-to-3-week UK treks. It carries up to 15 kg with ease yet still feels nimble when you sprint for the last train from Fort William.

Removable Aluminium Hoop Frame

A single 7075-T6 aluminium loop runs around the perimeter, locked into a dense foam lumbar pad. It acts like a mini internal frame, stiffening the pack on rocky descents while channeling weight to the hip-belt. Pull it out and the Circuit drops roughly 80 g—handy when your total load is light enough for a frameless feel.

68 L With Roll-Down Versatility

ULA lists the Circuit at 68 litres, but half of that lives in the tall collar. Roll it three times for a secure 45 L carry on a spring overnighter, or over-stuff for nine days between Knoydart resupply points. Side and top compression straps tame the extra fabric, so it never billows like a windsock on exposed ridges.

Customer Mod Options

Ordering direct lets you tweak almost everything:

• Hip-belt pockets: zipped, draw-cord or none at all.
• Shoulder straps: straight “J” or contoured “S” shapes to suit different chests.
• Colour panels: mix-and-match Robic nylon swatches for trail-side individuality.

Throw in optional hand loops, internal stash pocket or a third side pocket and you can fine-tune the Circuit to your exact hiking style without adding needless grams.

9. Most Organised: Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60

If you’re forever rummaging for your brew kit or waterproofs, the Mariposa 60 brings order to the chaos without straying from the lightweight hiking backpack brief. Weighing a verified 945 g (medium, without optional aluminium stay) and swallowing a generous 60 litres, it’s the pack we reach for when gear organisation matters as much as gram-counting on multi-day UK treks. Robic 100 D nylon keeps weight low yet shrugs off gritstone and gorse, while the tall roll-top collar lets you fine-tune volume for shorter trips.

Seven External Pockets Layout

Gossamer Gear crams more functional storage on the outside than most brands manage inside:

• Oversized left-hand pocket fits a full-length foam mat or wet tent poles.
• Two right-hand bottle sleeves angled for grab-and-go sipping.
• Stretch mesh “back” dump pocket swallows a soaked flysheet.
• Dual hip-belt zip pockets guard snacks and phone.
• Lid-style top pocket hides smaller valuables.

You can segregate wet, dirty or fragile kit instantly—no more unpacking the main compartment at each cairn.

Sit-Light Pad Dual Use

The removable Sit-Light foam panel serves double duty: slide it out for lunchtime insulation on peat bogs, then re-insert to add structure and sweat-diffusing comfort on the move. It’s a clever 35 g you’d carry anyway, now working twice as hard.

Recommended Load Range

With the aluminium stay installed, the Mariposa carries 9–15 kg comfortably—ideal for a week on the West Highland Way. Strip the stay and keep loads under 11 kg for frameless purity. Either way, this is the neat-freak’s dream pack in 2025.

10. Modular Workhorse: Granite Gear Crown3 60

Granite Gear’s third-generation Crown takes the respected Crown2 recipe and adds a dash of Lego-like versatility. Sitting at 1.08 kg in its stripped form (size Regular) and rated to 15 kg loads, it’s the do-everything option for hikers who want a single pack that can morph from Cairngorm winter hauler to lean summer cruiser without blowing the budget (RRP 2025: £219).

Re-Flex Air Frame Sheet

The new Re-Flex frame sheet is a perforated HDPE panel married to aluminium vertical stays. Pop it in for rigid support and chimney-style airflow on sweaty ascents; whip it out and the pack drops to 945 g, ideal for sub-10 kg weekend kits. A moulded hip-belt—still fully interchangeable for different waist sizes—takes the sting out of 12-hour trudges.

Optional Lid Converts to Chest Pack

Need extra litres for winter gloves or camera gear? Clip on the AddOn lid (+90 g) and you’ve got another 8 L up top. Detach the same lid, flip the straps, and it rides as a front chest pouch, balancing weight and giving fast access to snacks, phone or map—handy when the sleet’s horizontal.

Comparison with Crown2 – What’s New for 2025

• Side pockets now use tougher 100 D Robic ripstop with elastic shock-cord for one-hand bottle grabs.
• Roll-top collar gains dual-direction clips so it can buckle over the front, protecting against roof-rack spray.
• Hip-belt pockets enlarged to fit modern plus-size smartphones.
• Recycled nylon content jumps to 50 %, bolstering eco-credentials without adding grams.

The result is a modular, ultrapractical lightweight hiking backpack that grows—or shrinks—with your ambitions.

11. Lightweight Day & Summit Pack: Deuter Speed Lite 26

If your goal is to nip up Snowdon before breakfast or tag a bonus summit after pitching camp, the Deuter Speed Lite 26 delivers the capacity you need and nothing you don’t. Tipping the scales at roughly 820 g yet built from tough 100 D ripstop, this 26-litre rucksack undercuts many running vests while still feeling reassuringly solid when you haul it by the grab loop. It sits in the sweet spot between minimalist summit sacks and full-blown day-packs, making it a versatile lightweight hiking backpack for scrambling, travel, or carry-on duties.

V-Shape Frame for Agility

Deuter’s ultralight Delrin U frame traces a V from hip to shoulder, directing weight downwards and keeping the centre of gravity tight—handy when you’re bridging across Tryfan’s Adam and Eve. The Contact back panel uses low-profile foam pads that breathe well under a waterproof without snagging on rock.

Attachment Points (Ice Axe, Poles)

Despite the skimpy weight, you still get twin ice-axe loops, pole bungees, side compression straps and a helmet holder tab. The stretch front pocket swallows a damp shell, while internal valuables and hydration sleeves keep gadgets and water organised.

Where It Excels – Welsh Scrambles, Alpine Via Ferrata

The compact footprint squeezes through Crib Goch’s knife-edge and under Italian cable ladders alike. Load it with 2-3 kg of climbing iron and it stays planted; strip it to camera, flask and map and you’ll forget it’s there until the summit selfie.

12. UK Value Pick: Alpkit Pacific 45

Want home-grown kit that doesn’t hammer the overdraft? Nottinghamshire brand Alpkit has built its reputation on no-nonsense gear sold direct, and the Pacific 45 is the poster-child: a 45-litre roll-top rucksack that sneaks in under the 1 kg line yet rings the till at well under £130. It’s proof that a lightweight hiking backpack can be affordable, repairable and ready for Scottish squalls.

British Brand Ethos & Repair Service

Every Pacific 45 is sewn in Alpkit’s UK facility from 210 D recycled Robic nylon, then backed by a lifetime repair promise at the brand’s own workshop. Buckle snap on the Cape Wrath Trail? Post it in and they’ll swap it for a fiver plus return postage, keeping kit—and cash—out of landfill.

Simple Roll-Top Construction

Ditching a floating lid saves grams and faff: just roll, clip and go. A removable HDPE framesheet adds structure for 12 kg loads; whip it out and weight drops to about 960 g for floppy-bag fastpacking. Oversized stretch pockets swallow a damp bothy bag or twin water bottles, while twin ice-axe loops keep winter options open.

Weight vs. Cost Chart

At roughly half the cost of the big US names, the Pacific 45 leaves spare change for train tickets north—and Alpkit’s in-house repairs mean it’ll still be riding your hips when that introductory saving is a distant memory.

13. Versatile Overnight Pack: Salomon Out Night 30 + 5

A classic “one-night-stand” rucksack, Salomon’s Out Night 30 + 5 slots between fast-packing vest packs and traditional trekking bags. At a verified 830 g (size M/L) and retailing around £165 in 2025, it carries enough kit for a lightweight bivvy on the South Downs or a hut stop in the Alps while still feeling nimble if you break into a jog. Think of it as the Goldilocks choice for hikers who dabble in trail running but still want a framed, feature-rich lightweight hiking backpack.

MotionFit Harness Technology

Salomon borrows heavily from its running vests here. The MotionFit suspension wraps the shoulders and ribs with stretch mesh that flexes as you twist, minimising bounce on steep descents. A slim EVA back pad and removable mini framesheet spread loads up to about 10 kg—ample for stove, quilt and food—without the “plank” sensation of stiffer frames. Twin sternum bungees slide up and down rail tracks, letting you fine-tune chest compression on the move.

Expandable Collar for +5 L

Need room for a bulky winter jacket or an extra dehydrated meal? Release the top draw-cord and the collar pops up, adding roughly five extra litres. Side-and-top compression straps tame the space when you’re travelling lighter, so the pack never flaps in crosswinds on Kinder Scout. A quick-access front sleeve swallows a wet shell, while zipped belt pockets keep snacks handy.

Hydration Compatibility

The Out Night comes pre-rigged for fluid logistics: an internal sleeve fits a 2 L bladder with hanging loop, and both shoulder straps house stretch holsters for 500 ml soft flasks—ideal for on-the-go refills at Lake District becks. Hose routing ports are reinforced to stop tear-outs, and the pack’s 100 D ripstop dries fast after inevitable spills.

14. Women-Specific Ventilation Star: Lowe Alpine AirZone Trek ND33:40

Some packs claim to be unisex; Lowe Alpine simply designs one that actually fits women. The AirZone Trek ND33:40 takes the proven AirZone ventilated frame and scales the whole chassis—back length, shoulder width, hip-belt wrap—to narrower female proportions, while keeping weight to a respectable 1.36 kg. For hikers who overheat quickly on muggy South Downs climbs yet still want a supportive frame, it’s a golden middle ground between true ultralight and old-school bruisers.

ND (Narrow-Dimensions) Fit Explained

“ND” means shortened back panel (38–48 cm), contoured shoulder straps that sit clear of the chest, and a pivoting hip-belt shaped to cup higher, tilting loads onto the pelvis rather than soft tissue. Adjustment is tool-free: slide the Velcro plate to match your torso, clip the dual-pull waist and you’re dialled in.

AirZone™ Centro Back System

A tensioned mesh trampoline creates a 3 cm air gap, while a cut-away framesheet channels moisture upwards and out—handy when Dorset humidity feels like a Turkish bath. Because the peripheral alloy loop sits close to the spine, the pack still handles 12 kg happily, with side compression taming the 40 L max volume for shorter, lighter days.

Real-World Testing – South Downs in July

Three scorchers on the Seven Sisters loop revealed zero sweaty hotspots and no shoulder rub, even after 25 km. The zip-through front entry spared rummaging for sunscreen, stretch side pockets gripped 750 ml bottles securely, and the integrated rain cover proved its worth in a surprise sea-mist shower. For women wanting a ventilated, feature-rich lightweight hiking backpack that doesn’t feel like a downsized men’s model, the AirZone Trek ND33:40 stands out.

15. Built-In Hydration: CamelBak Octane 25

There are days when stopping to fish a bottle from your side pocket feels like a chore—usually the same days the mercury tops 25 °C on Place Fell. CamelBak’s Octane 25 solves that by building a full hydration system into a feather-weight, run-ready pack. Tipping the scales at about 760 g (incl. bladder) and retailing around £115, it offers 25 litres of storage for layers, first-aid kit and snacks, yet drinks are always one bite-valve away.

Crux 2 L Reservoir Included

The supplied Crux bladder sits in its own insulated sleeve, keeping water cool and preventing slosh. A wide screw-top opening is glove-friendly, while the Quick-Link hose disconnect speeds river refills. CamelBak claims the redesigned bite valve delivers 20 % more flow per sip—handy when you’re gasping on Great Gable’s final pull.

Ultralight Trail Running Crossover

A vest-style shoulder yoke hugs the torso and twin sternum straps curb bounce, so you can jog descents without water sloshing like a half-filled washing machine. Stretch pockets on the straps swallow soft flasks or gels.

Best For Dry, Hot Weather Rambles (Lake District Heatwaves)

Mesh back panels and light 70 D nylon shed sweat fast, making the Octane 25 a go-to for scorched ridge walks, continental hut treks or any UK summer outing where regular sips beat mid-day cramps.

16. Packable Budget Hero: Lifeventure Packable 22

Sometimes all you want is a lightweight hiking backpack that disappears into your main rucksack until it’s time for a quick dash to the summit café or the village bakery. Lifeventure’s Packable 22 answers that brief for the price of two pub lunches and weighs barely more than the packet of crisps you’ll carry inside it.

300 g Weight & Palm-Size Packed

Made from 70 D ripstop nylon, the Packable 22 tips the scales at a verified 300 g and stuffs into its own front pocket to roughly fist size. The YKK zip pull doubles as a hanging loop, so you can clip the bundle inside a larger pack and forget about it until needed.

Use Cases – Summit Pack, Travel Day Bag

• Hauling camera, water and wind-shirt for a Snowdonia out-and-back.
• Wandering city markets on rest days when your main kit is stashed at the hostel.
• As a shopping bag replacement—hand luggage weight police rarely notice 300 g.

Durability Tips

• Double-bag wet food or fuel bottles to avoid seepage through the thin fabric.
• Keep trekking pole tips capped; sharp edges will saw through lightweight nylon.
• Rinse grit from the zip track after beach or desert use to prevent premature failure.

17. Featherweight Foldable: Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Day Pack 20 L

There’s “light” and then there’s 72 g—the sort of number that makes postal scales do a double-take. The Ultra-Sil Day Pack scrunches down to the size of a kiwi fruit yet expands to a full 20 litres, giving you a just-in-case carry option that hardly dents your base weight. Slip it into your main lightweight hiking backpack and deploy it for summit side trips, supermarket runs or hostel laundry days.

72 g Total Weight

A single-layer sack with no frame, belt or padding means ruthless minimalism. Even counting the built-in stuff sack and bar-tacked carry handles, the entire package still comes in under the weight of a chocolate bar—ideal for ounce-counters and travellers fighting airline limits.

Ultra-Sil 30D Cordura Fabric

Sea to Summit’s siliconised 30-denier Cordura nylon offers an impressive strength-to-weight ratio and decent water beading; reinforce the seams with a liner if you’re toting electronics in sustained rain. Stress points are bar-tacked and triple-stitched to fend off tearing when you overload it with campsite beers.

Urban & Trail Crossover

The plain tube shape slides under a train seat, while twin bartack daisy loops handle walking poles on a quick Snowdonia scramble. At festivals it doubles as a foldable waterproof layer holder; in town it’s your spontaneous grocery bag that never splits in the car park.

18. High-Capacity Ultralight: Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60

When your itinerary reads “ten-day food carry, zero resupply” yet you still demand a sub-kilogram pack, the Arc Haul Ultra 60 is the answer. At roughly 879 g (medium torso, with all extras) it offers a genuine 60-litre main body plus 10 L in external pockets—making it the highest-volume pack in this lineup that still qualifies as a lightweight hiking backpack.

Adjustable Arc Frame for Ventilation

Twin carbon fibre stays tension a mesh panel away from your back, creating an “arc” that lets sweat vent like a suspended trampoline system but at half the weight. A simple cord ladder lets you flatten or deepen the curve to tweak airflow versus load transfer. The pack is rated to 18 kg; sweet spot is 9–14 kg, where the frame and removable lumbar pad keep the load glued to your hips on long slogs up Glencoe’s Devil’s Staircase.

UltraWeave® Material – Strength vs. DCF

Zpacks has switched from Dyneema® Composite to Ultra 200 (UHMWPE fibres sandwiched in recycled polyester film). Lab tests show:

• Tear strength: >200 N (≈30 % higher than 5 oz DCF)
• Abrasion cycles: 2× DCF before fibre exposure
  It’s also naturally waterproof; taped seams and a roll-top collar mean most UK users skip a rain cover and rely on internal dry bags only.

Shipping & Import Fees to the UK

Base price 2025: US $419. Add USPS shipping (~$35) plus 20 % VAT and the £25 parcel-handling charge, and landed cost sits around £470–£490—steep, but still lighter (and often cheaper) than paying porters in excess baggage. If you need cavernous capacity without sacrificing ounces, the Arc Haul Ultra 60 justifies its airfare.

19. Women’s Technical Pro Choice: Osprey Tempest Pro 34

Osprey’s Tempest line has long been the yard-stick for female-fit day and weekend sacks; the Tempest Pro 34 merely turns the dial up. It keeps the familiar body-hugging BioStretch harness yet upgrades every fabric panel for alpine abrasion, all while holding weight to around 1.05 kg (XS/S). That makes it a bona-fide lightweight hiking backpack with enough structure for winter kit or scrambling hardware. Expect to pay roughly £239 in 2025, and remember Osprey’s lifetime “All Mighty” repair promise comes in the box.

NanoFly Fabric & Bluesign Approval

The Pro variant swaps standard nylon for NanoFly™—a mix of 210 D UHMWPE ripstop and 200 D Cordura that shrugs off gritstone and ski edges without ballooning grams. Every dye bath is Bluesign-approved, so chemical impact is kept low and traceable. A PFC-free DWR tops things off, beading Scottish drizzle rather than absorbing it.

Stow-on-the-Go Trekking Pole System

Scrambling the Crib Goch arête often means stashing poles at short notice; Osprey’s elastic loop and lower cup let you holster them one-handed without removing the pack. The same looping rig holds an ice axe or camera boom, and side compression tames the load when you’re travelling fast and light.

Size Range XS/S to M/L

Women aren’t one-size-fits-all. Two back lengths (13–20 in), an adjustable sternum rail and sculpted shoulder straps fit torsos from 150 cm hill sprites to 180 cm mountain guides. The moulded hip-belt wings pivot with your gait, spreading 8–12 kg comfortably—ideal for hut weekends or mixed-weather Lakeland days without feeling overbuilt for city commuting.

20. Fast & Light Mountain Tool: Black Diamond Distance 15

When “light and fast” means jogging scree slopes and pulling over grade-2 scrambles, every gram counts. Weighing just 380 g (size M) yet stable enough for a half-day rack and waterproofs, Black Diamond’s Distance 15 is more mountain tool than backpack. It slots neatly into a lightweight hiking backpack quiver as your grab-and-go option for dawn-to-dusk missions where speed trumps capacity.

UHMWPE Ripstop & Running-Vest Shoulder Straps

The body fabric mixes 210 D nylon with UHMWPE ripstop, giving cut resistance far beyond its weight class—handy when chimneying up Skye gabbro. Soft vest-style straps wrap the chest, spreading load without the pinch points of traditional webbing. Two stretch chest pockets keep gels or a small soft-flask within breath distance.

On-the-Move Pole Quiver

A removable side quiver lets you stow folded poles one-handed mid-stride; swap it to either flank or leave it at home (-20 g) to shave more ounces. Dual ice-axe loops and bungee compression secure helmets or a compact rope for airy ridges.

Ideal for Skyraces, Cuillin Ridge Days

Capacity sweet spot is 4–6 kg—think lightweight waterproofs, micro-crampons, first-aid pouch and a slimline hydration bladder. The narrow profile never snags on chimneys, and the vest harness eliminates bounce when you turn a jog into a sprint to beat the clag closing in on Sgùrr Dearg. For pure mountain velocity, the Distance 15 is difficult to top.

21. Minimalist Scandinavian Design: Haglöfs LIM 35

Swedes don’t over-engineer; they strip things back until only the essentials remain, and the Haglöfs L.I.M 35 follows that ethos. A clean tube shape, roll-top closure and zero dangling straps make it a favourite for hikers who want a fuss-free lightweight hiking backpack that still survives Scottish granite.

“Less Is More” Suspension

Instead of a full frame, a single removable HDPE sheet paired with soft contact pads supports loads up to about 10 kg. The sheet curves naturally with your spine, so the bag moves with you rather than against you on narrow Lakeland ridges. A wide hip-belt of airy mesh spreads weight without bulky foam.

890 g Weight with Reinforced Bottom Panel

The published 890 g (size M) includes the framesheet and sternum whistle; yank both and you’re close to 750 g for fast-and-light outings. Haglöfs wisely adds a double-layer 210 D base, so tossing it on rough gritstone won’t shred the fabric—rare reassurance at this weight.

Eco-Credentials – Fluorocarbon-Free DWR

All exterior nylon uses a PFC-free water-repellent treatment and bluesign-approved dyeing. Zippers and webbing are recycled polyester, and production is audited for energy use. You still need a pack liner in Welsh downpours, but you can shoulder the LIM 35 knowing its environmental footprint is lighter than most.

Final Gear Check

With twenty packs on the shortlist, decision-paralysis is easy. Start by confirming torso length and hip-belt fit; comfort trumps every published gram figure. Once size is dialled, weigh your typical base load: if the pack can carry it at a 10:1 load-to-weight ratio you’re golden. Only then fuss over extras—pole holders, front pockets, waterproof fabrics.

If two or three models still tempt you, try them loaded in a shop or borrow a friend’s for a weekend. Five minutes on carpet is fine; an hour on a hill path tells the truth.

Ready to lighten up? Browse our current selection of lightweight packs and trail accessories—complete with free UK delivery on orders over £50—at Take a Hike UK. Happy walking and even happier shoulders!