Designed, say Salewa, for speed hiking (perhaps not a term we're all on board with), the Pedroc feels in some respects like a running pack; but the advantages of this lightweight, form-hugging, and superbly well-vented day pack should be obvious whatever pace you're travelling at.

There's a Pedroc 16, a women's Pedroc 20, and the Pedroc 22 with a men's fit. Since I find the 20-litre sort of capacity pretty much bang-on for moderately equipped summery days (for anything that doesn't require ropes and extra kit), it's the latter I'm looking at here.

Though officially a little smaller than the Deuter Speed Lite 25, a model with a similar remit that I reviewed last year, the Pedroc 22 seems if anything a bit roomier thanks to a plethora of external pockets, and I've comfortably carried all the usual hill gubbins plus a chunky SLR. It's lighter than its Deuter rival, but doesn't feel as tough, and costs more.

In many respects I think it's a really good pack, but it does have one or two niggles.

Weight and build quality

Salewa's quoted 570g seems a bit optimistic, and on my usually-reliable digital scales the Pedroc Pro 22L comes out at 608g. That's lighter than most walker's packs, but not on a par with lightweight running vest/packs. Still I do think it seems really quite light for a rucksack of its size, especially given the fact that it has what counts - for a small day pack - as a supportive and comfy back system.

Build quality seems good overall, and the 70D ripstop nylon fabric ought to be reasonably durable for its low weight. However after only a few uses I have already managed to damage the point where the top drawstring runs through a fabric sleeve, and now that I've pulled out the eyelet that's supposed to protect it, the fabric is beginning to tear.

Because the drawstring functions as pack closure, compression, and a place to secure things like poles, it can be put under quite a bit of tension, and the lightweight material at the toggle just doesn't seem sufficient to cope with this. The toggle doesn't grip the drawcord all that securely, either. This part of the design seems like a weak point, and ought to have been better reinforced.

Fit and comfort

If you're taller than average then most small packs can be a bit short in the back length department, and the one-size Pedroc is no exception. At 1.83m tall and with a reasonably long back I find the hip belt sits too high to take any weight, though it does help stabilise things. When you're not needing the belt - and on packs this small I often don't bother - then it can be folded away into the side sleeves of the pack.

Sporting Salewa's distinctive split straps, the sculpted shoulder harness offers a close, body-hugging fit. Padding is firm and sensibly minimalist, reducing bulk, and the space in the middle of each strap helps allow for unrestricted arm movement. While it's not designed as a climbing pack it'd certainly be good for scrambling. It's all very open, too, which is great for warmer weather.

The airy feel continues on the back panel, where a raised foam pad with loads of holes offers good ventilation without putting too much space between the wearer and the load, something that I find can push the centre of gravity too far back on some walking packs. Inside, a slightly stiffened framesheet offers plenty of support for the sort of weight you'll be carrying in that 22L capacity, without making things too rigid.

Overall it's a comfy, breathable, and stable pack in use, and fits closely enough that I can even happily run with it. I love those split straps, too. It'd just be good if Salewa offered a version for taller people.

Features

For a small pack, there's a fair amount going on. Access to the main compartment is via a roll-top, which is less faff than a conventional lid but a bit more so than a zip. You also get a secondary entry via a big zip on the side. I tend not to use these even on larger packs, so for me a side zip is most definitely redundant on a model this small, and just gives me an opening I might forget to do up and thus lose things out of. Other views are available, and some people do like extra zipped entries. A second zip on the front of the pack accesses a large sleeve where you could keep a map or a light waterproof for easy retrieval. Both these zips are water resistant, clearly a benefit for UK use.

Lower down are two stretchy zipped side pockets which, to a degree, wrap around the body in the manner of a running vest. These are supposed to be accessible on the go, but aren't really, since you have to remove the pack to get at them. However they are easily spacious enough for hats, gloves and snacks, making them a really useful addition to the pack's storage options.

Under these Salewa have also incorporated open pockets, which work well with the side compression cord to securely hold things like folding poles or even a camera tripod (rare you can effectively carry one of those on a 22L rucksack). Inside is a small zipped valuables pocket, with the essential key clip, and a sleeve for a water reservoir.

The features are pretty good so far as they go, but particularly given its running crossover potential I do find myself missing genuinely on-the-go hip pockets for quick snacking; a stretchy sleeve for a soft bottle would not have gone amiss on one of the shoulder straps, too.

Ethics and environment

This is a 'Salewa Committed' product, meaning that it meets the brand's own criteria for sustainability, including being made in a factory that's regularly audited for social standards. The fabric has a PFC-Free DWR treatment.