Review: The North Face Trail Lite Backpack 65L

This is a rucksack for multi-day hikes where the journey is the purpose and the pack should reflect this. It’s all about making the day as easy as possible and not just about depositing a load at the end of the day.

I can usually get an overnight camping setup into a 40-litre sack, normally with the camera equipment taking me over the limit! Packing for longer multi-day journeys, a bigger pack is certainly more flexible. The other one is camping in the hills with kids as inevitably I’m designated mule so having something that can comfortably do a long days walk with a heavy load certainly makes life easier.

With a long trip to Scotland derailed due to work commitments, some low-key camping trips with my daughter in the hills of Snowdonia was the new plan! We decided I wasn’t going to be travelling fast and light… a little comfortable camping with the Helinox chair (you can read that review here), a good book and of course my camera gear, which were easily swallowed by the pack. 

The pack comfortably handles a full load of camping gear with storage for your sleeping bag and clothes at the base of the pack. With this type of pack two key points are: how comfortably does it carry and how easy is it to manage your stuff whilst walking and on this front the pack does well. The back has plenty of ventilation and is supportive with plenty of adjustment. 

The pack has plenty of external storage to keep things at hand whilst you’re moving – my walking poles, tripod, Nalgene bottle, snacks and a spare layer were all easily stashed away in easy access.

Changeable late Spring weather meant plenty of clothing changes on the way up and the stretchy mesh storage on the outside of the pack was good for keeping the flow going.

The back system kept the load stable on my back on some fairly rough and steep terrain and this really makes a difference; especially over days with a heavy load because stability saves you a lot of energy not doing the core micro adjustments that an unstable load requires.

You are paying a premium for the North Face name on this pack and there are packs that give you better value for money at this price point, however the back system is a premium feature and if brand is important then it is one to consider.