Peter Macfarlane is impressed with the Highlander Ivar 30, a £50 pack with mountains of features.
The Highlander Ivar 30 has the familiar layout of a mountain pack that can take you into the hills all year round, yet manages to come in at a budget friendly £50.
Peter Macfarlane’s Best in Test
The weight is a little high and the back is a little short, but if it fits you the Ivar is a fully specc’ed mountain pack at an entry level price.- very well-featured
- all-season compatibility
- no compression
- weight
- short back
| Quick specs |
|---|
| RRP: $67 / £49.99 (available from Highlander Outdoor) Weight: 1080g Capacity: 30 litres Materials: 100% Nylon, reinforced XPT Back system: Airvent back system Pockets: single buckle lid closure, bottle pockets, zipped internal access, lid and front pockets Features: axe/pole loops, rain cover, hydration hose compatible Sizes: one Men’s version? yes highlander-outdoor.com |
The main compartment is draw-stringed and accessed via a single buckled closure lid which has a good sized zipped external pocket with a key clip inside. The main compartment has a hydration sleeve with a hanging loop and easy exit route for the tube. The compartment also has a long external vertical zip giving great access without having to open the lid. A rare feature, and one I enjoy.
On the opposite side of the front panel is large, zipped pocket, big enough for insulated mitts and more. There are axe axe/pole attachments and loops, and large bottle pockets on the sides. The pockets sit a little high for easy access on the move, partly due to the integrated rain cover pocket and partly due to the short back length. I’m at the height limit for the Ivar at 5’9”/1.8m – an extra 50-100mm would make it a perfect fit on me. It’s worth noting that my female partner is shorter than me and found it a better overall fit.
The harness is excellent, well-shaped and padded with a sliding chest strap and a whistle buckle. The hip belt has padded fins with handy zipped pockets. The air vent back system allows for a close, stable fit but a wide central channel and very open mesh and chambered padding do a decent job of keeping the back ventilated. There are no compression straps but the sturdy fabric and stiffened insert keep the pack in shape even where nearly empty.
The weight is a little high and the back is a little short, but if it fits you the Ivar is a fully specc’ed mountain pack at an entry level price.
Testing conditions
Peter used the packs on big hill days from autumn to spring and on his frequent traverses of the Kilpatrick Hills where he’s based. He’s 5’9” and has a back length ‘between regular and long’ depending on the pack. This review was first published in the June 2025 issue of The Great Outdoors.
