At £95, the Highlander Novar 50+5 very much at the budget end of the market and will be attractive to Duke of Edinburgh participants, says Lucy Wallace.
The Highlander Novar 50+5 comes with lots of useful features – mesh pockets on the side and front, and generous zipped hip pockets. There are even ice axe loops on the base, which means that it can be used in all seasons.
Lucy Wallace’s Best Value
It’s inevitable that there will be a trade-off between price and build quality, but it is impressive that Highlander have managed to include so many features for the price.- budget option
- less comfortable
- not as durable
| Quick Specs |
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| Price: £95 (not available in the US) Weight: 1857g Materials: ripstop nylon Features: tensioned back system, zipped hip and lid pocket, mesh side pockets, mesh front pocket, rain cover, pouch for hydration system, side compression straps, zipped lower entry point and bottom straps Volume: 50+5l Sizes: one size, adjustable Women/Mens version: Unisex highlander-outdoor.com |
Inside the lid there is useful information about what to do in an emergency. At £95, it’s very much at the budget end of the market and will be attractive to Duke of Edinburgh participants. It’s inevitable that there will be a trade-off between price and build quality, but it is impressive that Highlander have managed to include so many features for the price.
The Novar has an old-fashioned adjustable back system based around two metal stays and buckles that allow the height of the shoulder straps to slide up and down the stays. It’s very simple to adjust and longitudinally rigid but has a habit of flexing and rocking when fully loaded, so is less stable and comfortable than others in this roundup.
If you have a little wiggle room in the budget, it may be worth checking out Highlander’s “Ben Nevis” range. I recently tested a women’s 52 litre pack from the range and found it much more comfortable. Highlander describe the Novar 50+5, which is the smaller of the two packs in the Novar range, as being “a great fit for those with a smaller build”.
The advance sales sample I received had a different hip belt to the final version, which didn’t fit me well, but the model on sale should adjust to fit a wide range of sizes and people. As with all rucksacks, it’s a good idea to try it on and make sure that it works for you before committing.
Testing conditions
Lucy tested this pack in a variety of conditions on overnight camps in Scotland and Wales. Weights are supplied are from Lucy’s home scales.
This review was first published in the August 2025 issue of The Great Outdoors magazine. Compare it with others in our guide to the best backpacking packs.
