At first glance the Brenta looks pretty much like any other daypack with a bit of a Hot Rock technical climbing sack look to it with the pockets empty. Take a look at the straps, however, and you get your first glimpse into the feature list with a compass attached by cord to the left shoulder strap. You'll also notice the way the foam of the straps is ventilated with a series of large diameter holes.

Vaude make a lot of mentions of their F.L.A.S.H. shoulder straps and to be honest we haven't a clue what F.L.A.S.H. is but the shoulder straps adjust quite simply through an adjuster at the top and another at the bottom on each side. The Aeroflex Easy Adjust suspension system, however, is something altogether different; 2 red straps that emerge from the base of the pack, sitting neatly behind the hipbelt in use, adjust the whole back of the pack, noticeably flexing it as you tension the straps until you have the perfect fit. Then simply clip the plastic guide backwards and the straps lock in place.

The hipbelt is lightly padded and comes with a pair of fixed size pockets rather than the stretch pockets many manufacturers now use. Combined with a lack of any stretch pockets for drinks bottles on the sides of the main pockets this can be a bit limiting on long days, but leaves enough space for quick access to a few appropriately sized essentials like mobile phone and money. The only stretch pocket on the whole back is the stretch panel on the front, which has the space for a full set of waterproofs or a bike helmet though you'd struggle to get a climbing helmet in.

As a weekend load carrier the Brenta 30 is more than up to the job, especially with the side pockets expanding when you need extra space. The Vaude system works along the same lines as Snugpak sleeping bags with a secondary zip keeping excess materials out of the way when not needed or fully opened for maximum storage. Add in discreetly hidden axe/pole loops and attachement loops on the lid and the Brenta 30 becomes a realistic option for short winter trips, and just to take the UK weather into account Vaude have included a discreetly zipped away full rain cover in the base of the sack.

Price: £75.00

Weight: 1300g

Colour: Red, Black, Saffron, Anthracite/Meadow, Blue

Features:

• Padded hip wings with zip pockets
• 2 outer zip pockets with expandable volume
• Zip pocket in the lid
• Additional zip lid pocket inside
• Front outer pocket
• Gear attachment
• Sternum strap
• Opening for hydration system
• Seating mat

Pros: