So I've started taking the kids out more off road so am inevitably carrying more spare tubes, clothes, jelly babies, first aid gubbins.
I am after a good quality pack, I reckon around 25lt mark. Don't want to bust the bank though so what is good and affordable?
I would prefer something that sits relatively low, less than £100 if possible
The OMM sacks are pretty decent - they have a number of mesh outer pockets for quickly stashing and getting to stuff like jackets. They are designed for running so sit snugly and are pretty light.
I bought a Deuter Speedlite 20 ("530") from Evans for a trip to the Alps. It's 20l, and was fine, carrying everything I needed for almost a week.
It doesn't have a fancy padded waist band or back ventilation system so it's a fair bit lighter than the others. I didn't miss either of those features.
We used a Deuter Futura 28 for years when the girls were little and growing up. It was like the Tardis inside. Thing we liked about it was that it held off your back so not sweaty and that it could be split in two so the top half was used for food, clothes, and everything else a family needed and the bottom was used for tools and spares, so alot easier on the trail to find what was needed.
Got a Vaude Moab 25 for this exact purpose. I carry a full set of spare clothes for the little ones in a dry bag inside it. In a separate dry bag i've nappies, wipes, nappy sacs and a roll up change mat. I take spares for the trailer, a 16" tube and stuff for my bike too, along with my water and a camelbak eddy for both kids. Waterprrofs go in the outer compartment (the helmet bit)
I feel like a donkey.
Furoshiki
http://furoshiki.com/technique_backpack
I carry a 1m2 piece of cotton and a slight tweak to the above I use paracord for the straps.
Hangs perfect just under the regular pack. Very useful.
Picture later.
Ps edit: you could use straps from an old bag and make more comfortable.
Osprey Escapist 25.
Able to fit loads inside, all kept well organised, very well made, and it gets held firmly on back no matter how rough a trail.
Cant remember what I paid, guessing it was around the 60 quid mark a couple years ago.
One of these.Osprey Escapist 25.
Osprey Talon 22 - got it as a present but would buy another at full price if I had to. Well made and well thought out.
Osprey Escapist 25
Mine looks a bit different to the current version, but best ruck sack I've owned.
Use it off piste skiing with shovel etc. Walking, running and biking with and without bladder. Find it more comfortable to wear that much smaller Camelbak. Used it for commuting with handy built in day glow rain cover
Well made and well thought out pack
I've got an Escapist 30 and it's excellent. 25 should be similar.
For the same reasons I up sized to a dakine nomad. Whilst only 18l, the big open pocket does a good job with jackets and other clothes coming off and on. Comfy and well built too.
I have been using a Camelbak HAWG for a couple of years now, which is excellent.
If it won't go in my ancient Camelback ventoux then I take a Vaude hiking pack that's 15 years + old and about 30l with lots of pockets.
I can get all required spares, water bottles, picnic and picnic rug in there. It's pretty stable and fine to ride in for 15-20 miles (I've also used it to commute on a road bike).
Probably get a newer better version for half your budget.