The Berghaus W Remote Hike 23 is awarded Lara Dunn’s ‘Greener Choice’ for its eco-credentials. Find out more.
A shade over the £100 limit we set ourselves, the Berghaus W Remote Hike 23 still offers a more wallet-friendly option than many packs of a similar size and offers good functionality and an array of features including Berghaus’ Freeflow technology which has previously featured on pricier packs.
Lara Dunn’s Greener Choice
There’s a feel of a trail running or mountain marathon pack to this, but it’s sturdy and sizeable enough to really excel as a hiking or scrambling daypack.- slimline shape
- good airflow
- lightweight
- handy pockets
- sustainable nylon
- replaceable waist belt
- firm at base of back plate
| Quick specs |
|---|
| RRP: $148 / £110 (available from Berghaus) Weight: 983g Capacity: 25 litres Materials: 100% Seawastex nylon – made from recycled ocean waste Back system: Freeflow technology back system Pockets: front stash pocket, expandable side pouch pockets, exterior zipped top pocket, hip belt pockets, two stretch mesh harness pockets Features: women’s specific fit, trekking pole loops, hydration system compatible Sizes: one Men’s version? yes www.berghaus.com |
The Freeflow back harness system is light and subtly contoured, giving good levels of air ventilation without impacting on the stability of the pack. Where the back plate ends at the base, there can be some discomfort against the lumbar/gluteal area due to the firmness of the plate at the edge.
Aside from this, comfort levels are good, with broad low profile but slightly cushioned straps at shoulder and hip giving effective support.
The waist belt is an innovative design, with the buckle at the side, that means the webbing belt section is straightforward to replace, something that aids longevity, but more interestingly, to the accessibility of the pack in terms of body shapes it can accommodate. If needed, a longer 43mm strap can be bought for very little and easily subbed in to create a longer waist belt.
The pack is hydration system compatible and there are plenty of pockets around the bag, and the front pouch pocket and side expandable pockets are unusual but effective in design. It’s a pretty low volume pack but the main storage area is open and it’s therefore easy to use. Stretch mesh pockets on each shoulder strap take a moderate sized smartphone or snacks, keeping bits and pieces to hand, as do the pockets on the hip belt.
There’s a feel of a trail running or mountain marathon pack to this, but it’s sturdy and sizeable enough to really excel as a hiking or scrambling daypack.
Testing conditions
Lara used the packs in winter and spring conditions on a variety of walks in the Malvern Hills, Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains. She is 5’5” tall with a relatively short back length in relation to her height. This review was first published in the June 2025 issue of The Great Outdoors.
