How wonderful it is to set off for a summer hike with a lighter load on your back. In winter there is so much more to carry – including spare kit and safety items – so when the warmer weather comes it's a relief to shed a few of the extra items. Of course, a walk in the summer still requires some spare kit and stay-safe products but you will not need to pack as much as you do in winter. If you are planning a self-guided walking holiday that includes luggage transfer, a day pack is all you will need for carrying your bits and pieces, including spare layers, lunch, water, snacks, mobile phone, camera and your map and guidebook.

3 great summer walking rucksacks

Camelbak Rimrunner 25 Hydration Backpack

Camelbak are acclaimed for the good quality hydration reservoirs. This rucksack has a three-litre reservoir that is easy to fill, clean and drink from. If you are walking in hot weather, you may well need three litres of fluids. The pack has another 22 litres of space for all your kit and plenty of pockets and spaces for stowing it neatly and comfortably. A four-point compression system allows you to reduce the volume of the pack if you are not carrying it packed to capacity. There are also two side mesh pockets and a zipped pocket holds a handy rain cover. Buy the Camelkback Rimrunner 25 for £63.71 at www.blackleaf.com

Osprey Kestrel 28

You get what you pay for with an Osprey rucksack and the Kestrel boasts numerous features including a hip belt with zipped pockets, trekking pole attachment and lots of pockets. In wet weather, the built-in rain cover provides protection. During hotter conditions the adjustable and ventilated AirScape™ back panel helps to keep you cool and provides great load support you require. This rucksack offers 28 litres of space so would be ideal if you want to carry  few more items on your day's hike. £90, www.ospreyeurope.com

Jack Wolfskin Ham Rock 16

A smaller, 16-litre pack, this jack Wolfskin product is part of their Active Trail series and offers a fairly minimalist product for lightweight activities. The rucksack has a main compartment for all your kit and an internal open-topped pocket that is perfect for holding a hydration system. The rucksack also has a zipped front pocket for keys and valuables, two mesh side pouches and a clipped outer storage area for a helmet (should you want to use it for in between bike rides). With 16 litres of carrying space you will need to be confident of needing only a small amount of kit but for many shorter summer hikes it would be a good choice. There is also a rain cover that is stuffed into a lower zipped pocket and, usefully, this can be removed altogether from the rucksack if you’re sure it is going to be dry. Thoughtful extras include high-visibility reflective detailing and a useful taped strip for adding a clipped LED light. £50 from Cotswold Outdoor