A day on Yr Wyddfa asks you to carry spare layers, a waterproof, food, water, a map and compass and a torch. The pack to carry them in is the Deuter Futura 27.
Deuter prints its back length, includes a rain cover and fits it with padded hip fins. Four other packs follow for a women’s fit, a larger size or a lighter load.
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The five packs, at a glance:
- Deuter Futura 27, 27 litres, back length 44 to 54 cm, rain cover included
- Deuter Futura 25 SL, 25 litres, women’s fit, back length 38 to 48 cm
- Gregory Juno 30, 30 litres, women’s fit, one torso size
- Osprey Talon 22, 22 litres, men’s fit, hip belt with two zipped pockets
- Osprey Tempest Velocity 20, 20 litres, women’s fit, adjustable torso length
| Your day out | What to carry |
|---|---|
| You want a printed back length, hip fins and a rain cover in the box | Deuter Futura 27 |
| You want a women specific fit with a shorter back length | Deuter Futura 25 SL |
| You want a women's fit and the largest volume of the five | Gregory Juno 30 |
| You want a men's fit with a hip belt and two zipped hip pockets | Osprey Talon 22 |
| You move light and fast and want a torso length you can adjust | Osprey Tempest Velocity 20 |
Deuter Futura 27
You want a pack whose back length is printed, with a rain cover included
Deuter Futura 27 Walking Rucksack 27 litres, back length 44 to 54 cmPadded hip fins with two pockets, rain cover included Read the full specification on AmazonDeuter lists a back length of 44 to 54 cm, for a body height of 170 to 195 cm. The hip fins are padded and carry two pockets.
The printed back length is the reason it leads. You can check the fit against the maker’s range before you order.
There is room for a drinking reservoir of up to 3 litres, and an ice axe and pole attachment on one side.
Best for: a walker whose body height falls inside 170 to 195 cm.
Deuter Futura 25 SL
You have a shorter back and want a women specific fit
Deuter Futura 25 SL Women's Rucksack 25 litres, back length 38 to 48 cmWomen specific fit, rain cover included Read the full specification on AmazonThe back length is 38 to 48 cm, for a body height of 158 to 178 cm. The fit is women specific and designed for smaller physiques.
The SL carrying system is somewhat shorter than Deuter’s standard packs, because on average women have shorter backs than men.
The hip fins are padded, with pockets for items you want within reach.
Best for: a walker with a shorter back who wants a women specific fit.
Gregory Juno 30
You want a women's fit and the most volume of the five
Gregory Juno 30 Women's Day Rucksack 30 litres, 0.93 kgPadded hip belt with large zippered pockets, rain cover included Read the full specification on AmazonThe padded hip belt is cut for a women’s fit and has large zippered pockets. The shoulder harness is women specific, and there is a trekking pole attachment.
The Juno 30 comes in one torso size, so there is no back length to choose between.
The internal sleeve takes a drinking reservoir, but the reservoir is not included.
Best for: a walker who wants a women’s fit and a 30 litre pack.
Osprey Talon 22
You want a men's fit with a hip belt and zipped hip pockets
Osprey Talon 22 Men's Hiking Pack 22 litres, men's fit, S/M sizeHip belt with two zippered pockets Read the full specification on AmazonThe Amazon listing is for the 22 litre men’s hiking backpack in the S/M size. It has two zippered hip belt pockets and a light attachment.
It has a hip belt and dual-zippered access to the main compartment. The listing gives no torso range, weight or rain cover, so check Osprey’s size chart for the S/M range before you order.
Best for: a walker who wants a men’s fit in a 22 litre pack.
Osprey Tempest Velocity 20
You move light and fast and want an adjustable torso length
Osprey Tempest Velocity 20 Women's Pack 20 litres, women's fit, XS/S sizeUp to four inches of torso adjustment Read the full specification on AmazonThe Amazon listing describes a multi-sport pack in the XS/S size, with a running-vest style harness that takes soft flasks.
It has a top cinch closure and a zippered pocket on the right side of the hip belt.
Choose it only if you walk light and fast and carry little. Other walkers should start with the larger packs above.
Best for: a light, fast walker who wants a torso length that adjusts.
Back length, hip belts and rain covers
Only the two Deuter packs give a back length in centimetres.
| Pack | Back length | Hip belt pockets |
|---|---|---|
| Deuter Futura 27 | 44 to 54 cm | Two |
| Deuter Futura 25 SL | 38 to 48 cm | Yes |
| Gregory Juno 30 | One torso size | Large, zippered |
| Osprey Talon 22 | Not listed | Two, zippered |
| Osprey Tempest Velocity 20 | Adjustable | One, right side |
All five have a hip belt. Three of the five packs come with a rain cover: both Futura packs and the Juno 30.
The Amazon listings for the two Osprey packs do not mention one. Deuter’s rain cover is made for 20 to 35 litre packs, so both Osprey packs fall inside its range.
Ordnance Survey suggests a pack liner if rain is a serious possibility, and dry bags to keep kit dry. AdventureSmart names a dry bag for your phone and charger.
What a day on Snowdon needs to carry
Getting caught in rain without waterproof layers can be very dangerous on Yr Wyddfa, says the Eryri National Park Authority.
The Authority also tells walkers to carry extra layers. The summit can be much colder than the start of the path.
Its other kit is:
- a map and compass
- enough food and drink
- a charged phone
- a torch and a whistle
- a small first aid kit
AdventureSmart, a safety campaign, adds spare warm clothing, spare socks and a survival bag. It also asks for a rucksack that is well fitted, adjusted correctly and comfortable.
What fits in 20 and 30 litres
Ordnance Survey says a 20 to 35 litre backpack is likely to be enough for a long day hike, depending on the season and the pack size of your gear.
All five packs here fall inside that range. It is guidance for day hikes in general, not a Snowdon rule.
The kit list from the Authority and AdventureSmart breaks down like this:
- Clothing: waterproof jacket, waterproof over-trousers, extra layers, hat and gloves, spare socks.
- Navigation and safety: map and compass, torch, whistle, first aid kit, survival bag.
- Food and drink: water, a flask of hot drink, high energy snacks.
- Phone: charged, with a portable charger, in a dry bag.
The packs run from 20 litres (Tempest Velocity) to 30 litres (Juno 30). Your pack should be roomy enough for your kit but not bursting at the seams.
When you do not need a new rucksack
If your current bag takes the kit list above comfortably, you do not need to buy another.
It should be well fitted, adjusted correctly and comfortable. A bag that cannot carry that list is the one to replace.
The kit for a day walking in Snowdonia is set out item by item on its own page.
We compile and explain public route and safety information. We guide nobody and sell nothing on the hill.
