RRP: £69.99 – or use our deal-finder for a good price:
Mountain Warehouse has forged a name for itself based on its good value outdoor kit, with much of it rarely on sale at full price for long.
So although the Pace 30L has an RRP of £69.99, it’s likely to be available for less if you’re looking to purchase (certain colourways are currently on sale as I write this for only £42.99; see the widgets above and below for the latest deals).
Despite the relatively low price, this walking backpack has a lot going for it. The 30L capacity offers adequate space for most one-day adventures, with plenty of room for additional layers, food and items such as a first aid kit.
Organisation is decent, with a large main compartment serviced by a zip that travels around the top of the pack and two-thirds of the way down the front.
This means it’s sometimes possible to grab an item from halfway down the pack without opening up the compartment entirely.
One thing to note on that main compartment, however, is that the frame of the pack does impede access, making it a narrower area to load.
Beyond that, you also get a small zip pocket on the top that’s ideal for a head torch and neck tube, plus a separate zip pocket at the bottom that I found particularly useful for stashing waterproofs. There’s also a small zip pocket on the hip belt.
I was impressed by the strong feature list, too, with attachments for walking poles or ice axes, two elastic side pockets for water bottles (but these aren’t easy to access while walking), a rain cover, a pouch for a hydration reservoir and a bungee cord on the front for lashing extra layers to the bag.
So what’s it actually like to wear? Well, the trampoline-style back system worked well at keeping our back fresh and comfortable, but the padding on the shoulder and hip straps are quite basic.
As a result, they didn’t prove as comfortable as alternative options here and lacked any moisture wicking properties.
Some of the materials also felt quite cheap, while the finishing left a little to be desired and the zip wasn’t all that smooth to operate.
Facts at a glance: Mountain Warehouse Pace 30L backpack
- Volume: 30L
- Rain cover: Yes
- Hydration bladder compatible: Yes
- Hiking pole attachments: Yes
- Whistle: No
- Ice axe compatible: Yes
- Extra features: Bungee cord
- Weight: 870g
Ready to buy? then try our deal-finder...
Also consider...
Osprey men's Manta 34L backpack
RRP £170
If you're a devoted hiker willing and able to invest in a high quality pack, consider the Osprey Manta 34L, or its very similar sister pack for women, the Mira 32. Similar in size to the Mountain Warehouse Pace 30L, the Manta 34L stands apart by offering next-level comfort and impressive materials and finish. The 'body-specific fit' feels like it's moulded to your back, and there's a top-notch feature-set, including a rain cover. Impeccably suited to long hikes in changeable conditions – including mountain breaks – it's hard to find any faults with this high-quality pack. Interested? Then read our full review of the Osprey Manta 34L.
Looking for more options? Check out our roundup of the best hiking backpacks to buy in 2023.
