Choosing the Right Pack for Hiking the West Highland Way in April

Tackling the West Highland Way in April means preparing for unpredictable weather, wet conditions, and a big mix of layers. You want a pack that’s light enough to enjoy every step, but structured enough to carry all your essentials comfortably - from thermals and rain gear to food and a cookset.

After a lot of research and consideration, I’ve landed on a choice I feel good about. Here’s how I got there.

What I Was Looking For in a Pack

For this hike I wanted a pack that offered:

• Light but structured support — not a floppy ultralight sack, but not a heavy traditional pack either
• Hip belt with pockets — for snacks, phone, head torch
• Exterior pockets — for water bottles, rain gear, layers
• Load lifters on the shoulder harness — for comfort on long days
• Good overall practicality — especially in Scottish April weather
• Budget-friendly — without sacrificing too much quality or durability

With those priorities in mind, I considered a few great packs (plus my eventual pick).

The Packs I Considered

Atom Packs Pulse EP40

• Pros: Excellent build quality and aesthetics — a beautiful looking pack
• Cons: Expensive, doesn’t come with hip belt pockets as standard, and no load lifters
• Notes: Not heavy at all, just missing a few comfort and storage features I really wanted
• **Price: ** £260. Plus hip pockets!

This was one of the most attractive options, but ultimately I wanted more functional features out of the box and struggled to get past the price for a not perfect choice.

Gossamer Gear G4-20

• Pros: Great external pad / sit pad pocket
• Pros: Good pockets and a clean, simple layout
• Cons: No load lifters
• Notes: I liked the design, but worried it might not be comfortable enough for long days with a full multi-day load

This one nearly got my money — the external pad pocket was a big plus — but comfort was my main concern.

Durston Kawaka 40

• Pros: Perfect practicality — every feature I wanted was there
• Cons: Expensive, and not as good looking as the Pulse
• Notes: Extremely well thought out and sensible, just not the most exciting aesthetically and again budget.

If pure practicality is your top priority and budget allows, this is a very strong contender.

My Choice: 3fulgear Tutor 35

After all that deliberation, I went with the newly released 3fulgear Tutor 35 — and so far, I’m really pleased.

Why I Chose It

• All the pockets I wanted including hip belt pockets
• Load lifters - a big win for comfort on longer days
• Back padding and a minimal frame - not heavy, but not floppy either
• Much cheaper than the other packs I considered
• Definitely a bit of a gamble, but one that feels justified so far

How It Fits My Kit

I was worried that 35 litres might be too small, especially for an April hike in Scotland with cold and wet weather in the mix. But once it arrived and I packed it properly, everything fits:

• Thermals and cold layers
• Camp clothes
• Puffy and rain gear
• Cook set
• Food and essentials

It’s snug, but well organised — and everything has its place. Would I use it for something huge, like the PCT? Probably not, but I think it is a good fit for a 5 day hike.

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A Note on Pack Sizes

One thing worth keeping in mind when comparing packs is that litres aren’t standardised. A “40L” pack from one brand can be noticeably bigger or smaller than a “35L” from another.

What matters more than the headline number is:

• What is the actual internal volume
• Pocket layout and accessibility
• How the pack carries weight on your body
• Whether you can reach key items without unpacking everything

On paper the Tutor is smaller, but in practice it fits everything in when using the external pockets properly.

Final Thoughts

If you’re hiking the West Highland Way in April:

• Choose something with a bit of structure and support
• Don’t underestimate the value of hip pockets and external storage
• Load lifters and back padding make a big difference on long days
• A well-designed 35 L pack can absolutely work for a multi-day hike

Several excellent packs were in the running, but the 3fulgear Tutor 35 hit the sweet spot of comfort, features, and price for me. Hopefully it’ll last the whole trip and I’m looking forward to finding out on the trail!