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With the forecast showing a brief lull in the usual October wet weather pattern, a chance for a quick bash up a couple of the Mamores Munro mountains just near Kinlochleven was not to be missed. This also gave me an opportunity to try out the new Liteway Gramless 35 litre rucksack. This is an ultra lightweight day bag made from 70D Ripstop Recycled Polyester, which offers excellent durability whilst maintaining minimal weight. The material itself is waterproof however none of the seams are taped, therefore the bag cannot be classed as fully waterproof. But does mean it will maintain a good level of dryness even in wet conditions, but as always the use of drybags on the inside is recommended. The role top design makes access very easy, even with gloves on, and the opening is massive to easily rummage around inside without having to pull everything out.

Coming in at just over 400g, it is an incredibly light bag. Being a very minimalistic design and to keep weight to a minimum the Gramless bag doesn’t have a rigid frame or back support. This means it isn’t recommended for loads in excess of 12kg. It also has a very simple waist belt that doesn’t offer any padding or support. This design is absolutely fine for day hiking where your bag isn’t very full. I packed a waterproof jacket, light down jacket, thin technical fleece, small first aid kit, hat and gloves, map, lunch, 1L of water and the support the bag gave was absolutely fine and didn’t cause any problems. It fits nice and snug to the back, so has minimal movement as well. It doesn’t offer any back height adjustment and is at a fixed back length but comes in 2 fixed sizes, S/M and M/L. I am 6ft (1.8m) tall and the M/L bag fitted me fine and felt comfortable throughout the day.

The large side pockets were perfect for taking a water bottle and hat and gloves. The bag also has a large elasticated stuff pouch at the front, big enough to stash a waterproof for easy access. There are also 2 small pockets on the shoulder straps themselves. This can take a phone or GPS however they are not zipped. They could also be used for soft flasks if easy access to hydration is needed.

Using the Gramless bag throughout the day, I definitely felt I was carrying less on my back, and felt I could move quicker and more efficiently without the extra bulk of the heavier bags that I am used to. For fast mountain days the Gramless bag is an excellent choice and with the superior build quality and tough materials it has the durability to stand up any harsh conditions.

Nick Brown
Nick has had a love of the outdoors, especially the mountains, for over 20 years. His passion has led him all around the world on many multi-day treks and mountain climbs in the greater ranges. As well as experiences in harsh environments such as the jungles of Asia and South and Central America and the vastness of the Trans-Siberian railway. A qualified Mountain Leader, he spends most of his time exploring the Scottish highlands and wild areas bagging Munros. On top of this, he enjoys trail running and rock climbing and strongly believes any outdoor experiences are good experiences - no matter what the weather, especially for mental well-being and happiness. Read more from Nick Brown