• Overall Rating

  : 4-5 out of 5

The Vulkan name – together with flashes of fiery orange across the pack – might speak of volcanoes, but this Highlander pack felt quite at home on the quieter hills of the Southern Highlands.

It’s a winter-ready daypack with some features for climbers as well as winter walkers. The main compartment has a roll-top closure and a removable lid, allowing you to shed some weight by stripping down the pack. The well-padded and shaped hip belt is also removable for climbing; but it’s well secured, so load bearing isn’t affected. There are climbing gear loops too, which you could remove for a cleaner pack.

The shoulder straps are well padded, and the back system of mesh-covered foam pads is also comfortable. Pack shape and stability are provided by an internal stiffener. The outside has three large mesh pockets, and the side pockets are wearer-accessible large bottle carriers. On the wearer’s left are two vertical zips, which allow access to the inside of the pack without opening it fully. Overtrousers or flask can be pulled out without rain or snow getting inside the pack.

It’s important to consider all the uses you’ll be putting your daypack to. Credit: Peter Macfarlane

Ice axe carrying capability is excellent, with loops and fastenings placed to hold them secure and safe. The hip belt has two zipped pockets, as does the lid. The lid pockets are big and bright orange inside to help locate items inside, and the lid also has top attachment points. I attached bungee cord to stow wet and dirty crampons, which works very well; but the weight pulls the lid forward and exposes the hydration hose exit. This can let water in, even with the lid fastened back as tight as it can go.

My only other niggle is the high weight – all those features come at a cost, but not at a high price.

How we tested

Peter used the packs for all his outdoor activities through the end of winter 2026, from light loads on trail day walks to long, loaded days on winter Munros. This review was first published in the June 2026 issue of The Great Outdoors.

You can compare this daypack to others in our guide to the best daypacks for hikers.