Berghaus Remote 20

Lightweight fully featured backpack/daypack at an affordable price. Marketed as both a laptop bag (not very good for that) and as a daypack (excellent for that).

The Berghaus Remote 20 is an excellent 20 lt backpack/daypack. It features one substantially sized main pocket (but can feel oddly small when trying to get a big SLR in and out), with a small outer pocket (easily big enough for a map, hat and some thin gloves), mesh bottle holders, trekking pole holders, and a bungee system that can easily hold a jacket.

The straps and back are well padded, and very comfortable to wear, and the adjustability is standard, however the lack of padding on the hip belt keep this from being a truly excellent product. The material feels tough but very light, and the plastic frame has not folded even when the bag was overstuffed.

This bag is sometimes marketed as a laptop bag, which I find odd given all the outdoor-friendly features such as bungee, and trekking pole holders, and the lack of internal organizers and extra padding typically found in bags designed for laptops. It seems more of a case of trying to market to the non-outdoor crowd. I would seek much better options for a laptop bag, for instance just about anything from TNF.

I have used this bag extensively for day outings for the past 6 months, ranging from short trips, to long hikes up mountains in Wales and Scotland, in warm dry weather as well as cold rain. The bag has remained dry inside even after a good amount of rain, but the opening for the hydration system is poorly designed in that it puckers when the bag is full and allows some water to drain in. The mesh pockets look very cheap compared to the rest of the bag which is made of a very nice feeling material. To my surprise they have held up well, although I expect they will start to look tattered after prolonged use.

Overall this is a great little bag which doesn't weigh too much, is well designed, looks good, and presents an excellent value, especially when it's on sale.