There’s something about moving quickly and effortlessly through the mountains that is hugely satisfying, carrying everything you need for a multiday adventure on your back. Kit nowadays is getting lighter and smaller thanks to new technologies, but there’s a fine line to tread between lightness and sturdiness, especially when conditions in the mountains can change so quickly.  

 I’ve assembled some of the best kit that strikes the balance between being lightweight yet rugged enough to withstand whatever the mountains can throw at us. I carried my rucksack chock full of the best kit I could get our hands on around the 65km Fjallraven Classic in the Cairngorms to see what kit should earn a space in your rucksack. Over the course of three days, I contended with blazing sun, pounding rain, howling winds and even a sprinkling of snow so you can be sure this kit is up to the task.

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 Klattermusen Bergelmer 50l

£379 | Buy from Klattermusen

My rucksack of choice for this adventure was the Bergelmer from Swedish outdoor experts Klattermusen. We opted for the 50l model which was the perfect size for this trip, managing to squeeze in all the necessary kit including a tent and despite our pack weighing around 15kg, it was still comfortable after 3 days on the trail thanks to generously padded straps and Klattermusen’s ‘carry on bones’ philosophy.

Metal hardware throughout means this pack is built to last although I wasn’t a fan of the lumbar strap buckle, the interlocking metal loops were a bit fiddly to engage with thick gloves or cold hands.  We also noticed the lack of compatibility with a hydration system, however a conveniently angled pocket on the side of the bag means a bottle can be surely stowed and accessed easily when on the move, it also made filling up from streams much easier than digging a bladder out from the bottom of a pack.

Positives

• Very comfortable shoulder and lumbar straps

• Just the right size for a couple of days in the mountains

• Loads of adjustability

 Negatives

• Only access to contents is through the top of the bag

• Lumbar buckle was a fiddle with gloves on

• Unique looks won’t be for everyone

MSR Access 2

£735 | Buy from Tiso

 Having a tent you can rely on when faced with adverse conditions is a top priority. Being able to seek refuge from the wind and rain does wonders for morale and we’re pleased to share that the MSR Access 2 is right up there with some of the best tents we’ve used. One of the lightest 4 season tents on the market, the Access 2 uses carbon fibre poles to withstand the gnarliest of wind and rain whilst keeping the packed weight down to a remarkable 1860g. MSR say the Access is a four-season tent in a three-season weight and we’d have no reservations about taking this tent above the snowline, the inner is mainly 20D nylon ripstop with small sections of ventilation to keep warmth in.

One gripe I did have was the lack of pegs, the Access 2 comes with enough pegs to stake out the groundsheet and outer fly, but not enough for the four guy lines. It’s not a hassle to purchase a few more, but for a nearly £750 tent, I’d expect four more pegs.

 For

• Heady blend of lightweight and sturdiness

• Dual doors means no climbing over companions

• Pitched in minutes

 Against

• Inner pitch first isn’t ideal for very wet conditions

• Carbon poles need care when handling to avoid splinters

• Not enough pegs for the guy lines

 Altberg Nordkapp

£259 | Buy from Altberg

 Walk any distance in a pair of boots that aren’t comfortable, and you’ll be feeling the effects of sore feet and blisters. Luckily our feet were cocooned in a pair of Nordkapp boots from UK specialists Altberg. Utilising 2.6mm full grain leather uppers, the Nordkapp was developed for use on mountain trails both in the UK and further afield. They provided excellent support underfoot thanks the Tri-Flex 3 midsole and the high ankle collar provided protection from rolled and twisted ankles on the rocky and loose sections of the trek.

The Nordkapp use Altberg’s ‘AForme’ last which is slightly wider in the forefoot and a narrower heel to create a locked in feeling yet still provide space for your toes. We found the fit exceptionally comfortable and have continued to wear them, covering over 120km and 3500m of elevation in around 10 days.

 For

• Supremely comfortable fit for neutral feet

• Option to improve waterproofness with extra treatments

• Altberg offer a resoling service when the soles wear out

 Against

• Soft upper doesn’t fend off rocks well

• Nothing else to note

Thermarest NeoAir XLite and Air Head Down Pillow

Pillow - £54 | Buy from Ultralight Outdoor Gear

Getting a good night’s sleep is especially important on multi day treks as it allows your body to recover ready for the next day. We spent our nights atop the NeoAir XLite pad from Thermarest and paired it with the Air Head Down pillow for that extra comfort.

 Anyone that’s spent any time on an old school inflatable sleeping pad will know they provide limited comfort and insulation which often leads to a certain level of grumpiness the next morning. No such perils with our Thermarest setup, the NeoAir XLite provides a generous 6.4cm of cushioning and couple with an R value of 4.2, kept us warm when the temperatures plummeted outside. The Air Head Down pillow made a welcome change to our normal drybag stuffed with clothes and it’ll definitely be a part of our sleep setup going forwards. 

Equally as impressive is how small the NeoAir and Air Head pillow packs down, taking up about the same volume as a 1l bottle and thanks to the innovative WingLock valve system, it’s a cinch to deflate.

 For

• Small pack size

• Pillow makes for a comfortable night

• Kept us well insulated from the cold ground below

 Against

• NeoAir XLite is quite fragile

• Quite noisy when moving about on

• Takes time to inflate

RAB Neutrino 400 Sleeping Bag

£469 | Buy from RAB

The sleeping pad is only half the equation when it comes to a sleep system. The sleeping bag is arguably more important as it’s the first line of insulation against the elements. We opted for the Neutrino 400 from RAB to keep us toasty. Highly tapered and packed with 800FP responsibly sourced goose down, the Neutrino is made for fast and light missions in the mountains. The Neutrino 400 packs up impressively small for its warmth

Clever baffle design means that the down doesn’t clump but also reduces the amount of material required, keeping weight and bulk down to a minimum whilst providing a comfortable night’s sleep down to -1c and a limit of -7c. The integrated neck baffle was snug fitting to reduce heat loss and the small pocket provided somewhere to stash our camera batteries to prevent them from getting too cold in the night.

For

• Perfect combo of warmth, weight and pack size

• Clever zipper guard stops snagged material

• Made from recycled materials

Against

• Not ideal for very wet environments due to down fill

Arc’Teryx Beta AR

£500 | Buy from Arc’teryx

Few brands hold such reverence in the outdoors world as Arc’Teryx, their jackets have a legendary reputation as being some of the best out there and what better place to test those lofty claims than the sodden mountains of Scotland. Incorporating Gore-Tex Pro, the Beta AR was one of the standout pieces of kit from our adventure, we almost lived in the thing for two straight days and stayed bone dry.

Even through the most torrential rain, beads of water formed on the shell and simply ran off and when the rain did relent, the jacket was breathable enough that we didn’t get uncomfortably sweaty. A host of drawstrings and elastic toggles meant we could dial in the fit for that all day comfort.

For

• Supreme waterproofing

• All day comfort and breathability

• Pockets don’t interfere with lumbar straps

Against

• Falls victim to crinkly Gore-Tex syndrome

• Requires care to maintain waterproofness

Montane Dart Base Layers

£40 | Buy from Cotswold Outdoor

A good layering system is critical in ensuring you stay comfortable out on the trail, wicking away sweat when it gets warm and trapping a layer of air next to the skin when it gets cold. We used both the long and short sleeved versions of Montane’s Dart T shirt.

Made from 100% recycled fabrics, the fabric was soft to the touch and was very comfortable next to the skin. It wicked sweat away perfectly and thanks to the POLYGIENE odour control technology, we didn’t stink after a couple of days on the trail.

We found the fit to be ideal for long days on the hills, the material has a slight stretch to it so offered an athletic fit across the shoulders but wasn’t restrictive elsewhere.

For

• Great fit

• Soft fabric felt great next to skin

• Odour control meant we didn’t stink out our camp mates

Against

• None to speak of

Montane Fireball

£220 | Buy from Montane

I’m a big fan of the Fireball for those days when the weather can’t make up its mind, spitting with rain one minute and clear skies the next. Offering huge amounts of warmth in a small pack size, the synthetic fill isn’t troubled by light rain showers and provides enough warmth to remain comfortable when moving quickly. I did find I needed to throw on a shell jacket when stopped for extended periods to cut the wind however.

 On multiday trips where it might be difficult to dry kit, a mid layer than can still keep you warm even if it’s a bit damp is a huge bonus.

For

• A great mid layer to wear all day

• Synthetic fill isn’t impacted as much by moisture

Against

• Fabric has a tendency to get stuck in zipper

• Doesn’t have the same instant warmth as traditional high fill down

Montane Terra Route Pants

£100 | Buy from Montane

There’s nothing worse than having soaking wet and cold legs whilst your torso is wrapped up in warm and waterproof layers. Luckily, thanks to the Terra Route Pants from Montane, your legs can enjoy the same levels of comfort as the rest of you.

Water resistant and windproof, the Terra Route Pants are designed for trips into the mountains and we’re pleased to report they did a sterling job; articulated knees and a fleece lined waistband meant they were very comfortable even after 12 hour days and the DWR coating reduced the times we reached for full waterproofs and anyone that’s wrestled with waterproof trousers in slashing rain and wind will know that’s a godsend.

For

• Stretch fabric doesn’t restrict movement

• DWR coating fends off light rain

• Plenty of pockets

Against

• Quite baggy around the lower leg