The West Highland Way is easily the UK’s most popular long-distance walking trail and our busiest self-guided walking tour. So it seems appropriate that outdoors clothing and kit brand Berghaus should base the research for the design of their new backpacking products on those very people who walk the WHW. We revealed earlier this month that a new Berghaus waterproof jacket has been created after feedback from WHW walkers. Now walkers have helped in the design of a new range of rucksacks. Insights from walkers on the West Highland Way have inspired the designs and features for three large men’s and women’s packs in the spring/summer 2015 collection, the Berghaus Wilderness, Ridgeway and Trailhead. During the product development process for 2015, Berghaus designers backpacked on the West Highland Way, combining the experience of the hike with plenty of consumer research through chatting to walkers. The team returned to the office with suggestions and information that influenced the development of three large rucksacks for men and women. The new Berghaus rucksack range includes:

Men’s Wilderness 65+15 and women’s Wilderness 60+15, priced £140

Men’s Ridgeway 65+10 and women’s Ridgeway 60+10, rrp £120

Men’s Trailhead 65 and women’s Trailhead 60, priced at £100.

The packs incorporate Berghaus’ BIOFIT “on the move adjustable” back system. The features and prices of the packs are designed to appeal to different types of backpackers, from experienced trekkers to young Duke of Edinburgh Award participants. The Trailhead 65 and 60 are aimed at entry level backpackers while the Wilderness pack boasts more features for experienced walkers. These packs are ideal for long-distance walks where people plan to carry a lot of their own kit and overnight camping equipment.

Smaller daypack for WHW

However, if you are looking for a small daypack, Berghaus has also launched the lightweight men’s and women’s Trail Speed 30 and 20 daysacks. These packs include a Freeflow system to offer good ventilation at the back of the rucksack. The Trail Speed packs offer great comfort when moving quickly in the hills and mountains and weigh in at only 865g (30L) and 740g (20L). The Trail Speed 30 retails at £70 and the smaller pack retails at £55. The Trail Speed 30l packs are ideal for walkers, such as those on a Macs Adventure walking holiday, that only need to carry their day-time walking items with them because their luggage is transferred separately between B&Bs and hotels.

See www.berghaus.com