Orion 45L 45-litre mountaineering backpack

A lightweight, hard-wearing 45-litre mountain rucksack for big days and heavy kit

Orion 45L is a mountain rucksack made for lugging a full winter rack through Scottish storms, or loading up for long alpine days when turning back isn’t really an option. It’s tough, supportive and surprisingly light for its size, built for scrambling, trekking and technical ground where you want the bag to feel like part of you.

Highlights

• 45-litre capacity - plenty of space for winter kit and multi-day trips

• Updated back system - moulded panels for support and comfort under load

• Improved shoulder strap fit - better support and easier adjustment

• Extended load lifters - more control over weight distribution

• Strap pockets - handy stretch pockets for snacks and small bits

• Mountain-ready features - ice axe retainers, daisy chains and haul loops

How it feels on the hill

When you’re carrying a lot of kit, the last thing you want is a rucksack that fights you all day. Orion 45L uses a stiffened back panel with moulded closed-cell foam to give solid support, while softer foam in the shoulder straps and hip belt takes the pressure off over long days. Everything that touches you is covered in mesh, so it feels comfortable even when you’re layered up or sweating hard.

The shoulder straps have been reworked so they sit comfortably across the chest and connect more naturally into the body of the pack. Load lifters now adjust over a wider range too, making it easier to get a decent fit if you’re on the shorter side and giving you more say over where the weight ends up. Paired with a supportive waist belt, it keeps the pack stable when you’re moving over exposed ground or awkward scrambles.

Thoughtful storage for mountain kit

At just 990g, Orion 45L keeps things sensible without stripping out the useful bits. Ice axe retainers and a central pick guard keep sharp tools in check, while daisy chain webbing and hip belt loops give you options for strapping extra kit on the outside. Haul loops come in handy when you’re lifting it in and out of snow holes, huts or the back of the car.

There are also stretch mesh and nylon pockets on the shoulder straps, ideal for snacks, a phone or whatever you want to grab without stopping. The main compartment opens with a simple drawcord, making it quick to pack in bad weather, and there’s space inside for a 3-litre hydration bladder.

Built for proper weather

Made from tough fabrics and finished with a PFC-free DWR to help shrug off light rain and snowfall. It’s a dependable mountain rucksack for big objectives, rough conditions and long days when you’d rather think about where you’re going than what’s on your back.