The Helly Hansen Generator backpack

Ideal for: Hiking, day trips

Not suitable for: Running, trail running, fastpacking

The Helly Hansen Generator 20L backpack is a thoughtfully designed daypack tailored for short to mid-length UK adventures. Weighing in at just over a kilo, it features an ultra-breathable 3D Air Mesh back panel, easy-access front loading, sturdy YKK zippers and a host of smart storage options — including hipbelt pockets and a hydration sleeve. While it doesn’t come with a rain cover, its well-considered features, comfort and ease of use make it a top-tier choice for everything from long-distance walking challenges to circular countryside hikes. At £100, it’s not cheap — but for a pack this well made, we think it’s worth every penny.

Helly Hansen Generator backpack review

Helly Hansen might be best known for their weatherproof sailing gear and ski outerwear, but the Norwegian brand’s outdoor credentials stretch well beyond the slopes. Founded back in 1877, they’ve long supplied explorers with kit that’s designed for the harshest environments — and in recent years, they’ve been making a serious play in the hiking and trekking space. We’ve previously tested lots of Helly Hansen kit, and have generally come away impressed by their blend of technicality, style and attention to detail.

The Generator 20L backpack continues that trend. Designed for single-day missions, this small but mighty pack has been built with thoughtful features that prioritise comfort and ventilation without sacrificing ruggedness. While it’s not an ultralight option, its weight still feels minimal in hand and on the shoulders — and it’s clearly been crafted with active movement in mind. It packs down to a relatively modest size and has a recommended retail price of £100. For anyone searching for a balanced and in-depth Helly Hansen Generator review, this is where the Generator really begins to shine.

That price puts it in the same category as some quality competition. It’s £5 more expensive than the Mammut Lithium 20, which offers similar 3D foam ventilation and even throws in a rain cover. It’s also £15 cheaper than the Osprey Talon 11, which arguably offers even more versatility and all-round durability — but weighs more and gives up 9 litres in volume. While those are strong contenders, we’d argue the Generator finds a sweet spot between comfort, practicality and thoughtful design that makes it a real contender for UK day hikes, walking challenges, and any time you just want a good, capable backpack to get outside with. This Generator backpack review aims to show exactly why.

How we tested the Generator

We put the Generator through its paces across three separate test hikes. The first outing was a flat countryside ramble with plenty of stiles and gates to negotiate. Next, we took it on a tougher loop in the South Wales hills that involved steep ascents, technical descents and a rocky outcrop scramble. The final test was a long circular hike with a mix of woodland, farmland and ridgeline — plus a deliberately upped pace to mimic more challenging conditions. Across all three, we paid close attention to stability, breathability, pack access and overall comfort on the move.

What we liked about it

Let’s start with the first thing you feel the moment the Generator hits your back — the breathability. The 3D Air Mesh is properly generous, covering the back panel, shoulder straps and waist belt. It’s not just there for show, either. On one of our test hikes — a steep loop in the South Wales hills on a warm spring day — we could feel the airflow doing its thing. Our back wasn’t bone dry by the end (what pack can claim that?), but there was noticeably less sweat than we’ve experienced with similarly sized daypacks. That might not sound like a big deal, but when you’re stopping for a snack and suddenly feel a wet patch turning cold on your back, you’ll understand why we rate this mesh so highly. It’s comfortable too, thanks to the firm but forgiving waist belt that keeps everything in place. Even scrambling over rocky outcrops or leaning forward on steep ascents, the Generator stayed snug and stable — no bounce, no shifting.

Now imagine you’re on a long-distance challenge. You’re tracking time, pace is everything, and you don’t want to waste minutes digging through a cluttered bag. That’s where the front-loading design really comes into its own. Zip it open and you’re instantly looking at the full interior — jacket? Grab it. Trail mix? Right there. It’s such a game-changer for on-the-go organisation. You’re not fishing around elbow-deep trying to reach the bottom like you would with a top-loader — and that means less faff and more time walking.

Build quality? Solid. You can feel it in the zips — they’re YKK, which anyone who’s spent time outdoors will tell you is shorthand for reliability. They glide easily, even with cold fingers or when the pack’s stuffed full. It’s a small detail, but one that makes a difference every single time you’re reaching for something mid-hike. Another quietly brilliant detail is the webbing daisy chain — you might not use it every time, but when you’ve got poles to attach or a carabiner you don’t want buried in a pocket, you’ll be glad it’s there.

Interior space

Inside, there’s a deep hydration sleeve that holds your water bladder securely — but we also found it useful for keeping a lightweight jacket separate from the rest of our gear. It’s a good way to avoid the damp snack/coat combo you sometimes get when everything’s crammed in together. The front pocket, meanwhile, is ideal for the bits you always want on hand: gloves, a buff, maybe a packable waterproof. It’s surprisingly roomy for a 20L bag.

And let’s talk about the hipbelt pockets. These are some of the best-placed and best-built ones we’ve come across on a pack this size. On one trip, we stashed our phone in the left pocket and snacks in the right, and we could reach both on the move without breaking stride. The pockets are stiff enough to hold their shape, so you’re not awkwardly fumbling to fish something out — a real plus on the go. Then there’s the little hook on the upper strap. We used it to hang a cap, but it’s spot-on for clipping on a GPS, water bottle or even a map case if that’s your thing.

The Generator doesn’t shout about its styling, but it looks sharp. The black colourway gives it a modern, understated feel, and the Helly Hansen logo is clean and well placed. You’ll also find reflective accents tucked in smartly — not garish, just enough to catch headlights if you’re walking country lanes at dusk. The sternum strap is easy to adjust and helps pull the load in nicely. The only thing missing here, really, is a rain cover. For a pack that’s clearly built with long days out in the UK in mind, it’s a bit of an oversight — and something we’d love to see Helly add in future versions. This Helly Hansen Generator review wouldn’t be complete without pointing that out.

How the Generator performs in UK conditions

Across every one of our test outings, the Generator held its own brilliantly — and then some. On a relaxed countryside ramble, it proved its everyday credentials straight away. Loaded up with a tripod, a jacket, a flask, snacks and a few other essentials, we still had space left over. Even when climbing stiles and farm gates or dropping down onto benches for a brew, the pack never got in the way. It sat neatly on our back, moved with us rather than against us, and most importantly, stayed comfortable for the whole walk.

But it was on steeper, more technical terrain where this pack really impressed us. We took it up a Welsh mountain circuit on a warm day, with a full load and plenty of climbing and descending. There was also a deliberate diversion over a rocky outcrop to test its stability and agility. Not only did the Generator stay locked in place — no bouncing, no shifting — but we also barely noticed it was there. The fit was secure, and the combination of sternum strap and waist belt helped keep the centre of gravity nice and tight.

As the sun rose and the temperature climbed, the breathability of the 3D Air Mesh became more than just a feature — it became a genuine performance booster. While the pack didn’t keep us completely dry (no rucksack would on that kind of effort), our back was far less damp than we’d expected after hours on the move. The shoulder and waist straps were equally breathable, meaning there was no buildup of hot spots or sweat in pressure zones — which is rare for a bag at this size and price.

The practical features made a difference too. When we needed to grab our phone or a quick snack, the hipbelt pockets were always within reach. When we wanted to stop briefly for an extra layer or sun cream, the front-loading main compartment made it easy to dig in without pulling everything out. On a hike where timing mattered, being able to get what we needed and crack on made a huge difference to the flow of the day.

Whether it was navigating narrow gates, clambering over rocks or upping the pace across open farmland to get back to the car, the Generator never once slowed us down — and that’s really the best compliment we can give it. It just works, and works well.

Helly Hansen Generator backpack FAQs

Very. The 3D Air Mesh on the back, straps and waist belt means airflow is excellent and pressure is distributed evenly. It stays put on steeper terrain and feels balanced even with a full load — making it ideal for all-day hikes.
It’s extremely well made. The use of YKK zippers, reinforced materials and quality stitching suggests long-term use won’t be a problem. After multiple test hikes — including some scrambling — it showed no signs of wear.
Exceptionally easy. The front-loading main compartment gives full access to your kit, and all adjustment straps are easy to operate — even with gloves. Hipbelt pockets, a hydration sleeve and useful extras make this a very intuitive pack.
One of its best features. The 3D mesh across the back and straps offers excellent ventilation. Even on warm days and high-output hikes, we stayed much cooler than we usually would with other 20L packs.
Yes. It’s a premium daypack with smart features, excellent comfort and solid durability. It doesn’t include a rain cover — but everything else is so well executed that we think it justifies its £100 price tag for regular UK hikers.

The verdict

If you’re looking for a dependable, breathable and stylish daypack for your hikes, the Helly Hansen Generator is hard to beat. At £100 it’s up there in price, but what you get is a very high-performing 20-litre pack with smart features, brilliant comfort and excellent usability on the move. It’s not aimed at ultralighters or commuters — though you could get away with it for the odd train journey — but for anyone who hikes for pleasure, challenge or fitness, this is a bag that will more than hold its own.

Helly Hansen Generator backpack review: cool, comfy and ready to ramble

The Helly Hansen Generator backpack

The Good

The Bad