Wenger Zernez 60L

Best All-Around

Our toughest tester would criticize his mother’s cooking, but he had nothing but praise for the ACT Trail, calling it “a near-perfect all-purpose daypack” after using it in Montana’s Lee Metcalf Wilderness. That’s because the ACT Trail 32 (and the women’s SL 28) delivers the rock-solid stability and neat-freak organizational features you’d expect from an expedition pack.

This top-loader’s U-shaped zipper provides easy access to the main compartment; a mesh panel on the front stashes a jacket and hat; zippered pockets on the lid, side, and hipbelt stow a camera and snacks; and adjustable shock-cord loops secure trekking poles or ice tools.

Despite the many features, the pack isn’t cumbersome: One tester hammered up a multipitch ice climb in Montana’s Hyalite Canyon, unimpeded by shifting loads or restricted reach. The suspension (a plastic framesheet reinforced with a Delrin rod) handles up to 25 pounds.

Two mesh-covered foam panels on the back provide outstanding comfort and ventilation. Bonus: The built-in raincover kept our gear dry during a five-hour slush storm on Colorado’s Hahns Peak. The pack’s 210-denier nylon fabric should handle years of abuse. Downside: It’s heavy.

• Capacity 1,950 cu. in.
• Sizes 2 gender-specific; 16″-21″ torsos
• Weight 3 lbs.
• Price $129
• Info deuterusa.com

Key features:

-Fabric: 630D Ballistic, 500D Kodura, 210D Kodura Double Rip, 190t Taffeta
-Top loading with quick release compression strap
-Fitted lid w/ zippered mesh pocket
-Integrated media pocket w/ waterproof zipper
-Organizer that detaches and becomes a gear loft in a tent
-First aid kit pocket
-Two hypalon-reinforced side compression straps on each side
-Two front compression straps on each side
-Two water bottle receptors on each side
-Ergonomically-enhanced waist belt and shoulder straps
-Two rubberized gear loops with reinforcements
-Sleeping bag attachment points
-Ice axe loop
-Expandable quick stash sleeve
-Front access pocket with organizer
-Trekking pole mounting points
-Rain cover
-Integrated knife pocket