Highlander Eagle 2 Backpack

Highlander makes very good quality and practical backpacks at surprisingly competitive prices. The Highlander Eagle 2 (on test) has a 30-litre capacity and some really practical features.

Up close

The main compartment is accessible via a double-zippered flap that extends from the top of the pack, all the way down the front, meaning that you can open up just the top, like a standard backpack, or the whole front, giving you access to the contents more easily. This ‘full-access’ facility means that with the pack stood up, you can set up shop and get to everything without having to dig around from the top. Inside this compartment, on the back wall, is a detachable inner organiser to keep all of your smaller items safe. The front flap lies flat on the ground and has a smaller zippered mesh pocket on the front.

On top of the pack there is a small zippered pocket for smaller items, and on the front is a ‘low profile’ pocket, accessible via a vertical zip down one side, which is ideal for documents. On the outside of the pack, there is a deep open-topped pocket with an elasticated rim.

The two large elasticated side pockets are perfect for holding drinks containers, or gloves. They are easily accessed without having to open the backpack.

Important details

The air-mesh padded back system, along with the well-designed and padded shoulder straps, make for a very comfortable carry. The adjustable and padded hip belt ensures the backpack does not move at all once everything is correctly adjusted, and there is also a small chest strap with a quick-release buckle in the middle. The hip belt is not detachable, but it does have two additional small zippered pockets built in, one on each side. These very useful additions keep small and important items like a phone or ammunition very close to hand.

The pack also has a hydration pocket and a pass-through port so that you can add a water bladder if you wish. On the outside of the pack, there are several MOLLE webbing attachment points and a Velcro panel for fixing an ID patch.

The Eagle 2 is made of tough 600D XTP with a PU coating. The outside dimensions are approximately 47 x 29 x 15cm. The pulls on the zippers have plastic loops on extended strings, making them glove-friendly, and all of the zips operate smoothly.

Conclusion

This is a very practical backpack and the fold-down front is a really useful feature. The large side pockets are good for items you need to get at quickly, and if you put weighty items like drinks containers in them, it helps stabilise the pack when it is stood up. £50 doesn’t often get you this much backpack, but the Highlander Eagle 2 is well worth investing in and is built to last. The Highlander Eagle is available in three sizes, with the Eagle 2 being the mid-sized version.