Simond Light Trekking Backpack MT900 50+10 review: lightweight comfort on a budget

The Simond Light Trekking Backpack MT900 50+10 is a 60-litre pack that blends comfort, smart design, and reliability into one remarkably affordable package.

Simond Light Trekking Backpack MT900 50+10

Ideal for: Hiking, UL wildcamping, backpacking

Not suitable for: Fastpacking

Weighing just 1.3 kg, the Simond Light Trekking Backpack MT900 50+10 from Decathlon sits comfortably among the lightest framed trekking packs available today. With 50 litres of capacity plus a removable 10L lid, it’s ideal for multi-day hikes, wild camps and fastpacking weekends. Despite its modest £134.99 price tag, it boasts features like a supportive internal frame, full-length side zip, padded hip belt with dual pockets, and an integrated rain cover — all while remaining impressively durable. It’s a serious contender for Britain’s best-value trekking pack.

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The Good

Excellent weight-to-capacity

Supportive frame design

Clever side access

Durable outer fabric

Great value price

Secure hip belt pockets

Integrated rain cover

The Bad

Limited back ventilation

Slightly bulky lid


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Simond Light Trekking Backpack MT900 50+10 review

Simond, part of the Decathlon family, is a brand forged in the French Alps and trusted by mountaineers for over a century. Known for technical yet affordable gear — from ice axes and helmets to ropes and crampons — Simond has steadily become one of Decathlon’s most respected mountain sub-brands. In recent years, they’ve taken that alpine expertise and channelled it into a growing range of lightweight trekking gear built for all-weather adventure.

The Simond Light Trekking Backpack MT900 50+10 sits right at the heart of that lineup. Designed for multi-day trekking, wild camping and alpine routes, it’s a 1.3 kg, 60-litre workhorse that promises stability, comfort and organisation without weighing you down — or emptying your wallet.

It costs £134.99, which firmly places it in budget territory when you consider what you’re getting: a full frame, padded belt, rain cover, smart organisation, and genuine long-distance comfort.


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When you line the Simond Light Trekking Backpack MT900 50+10 up against the big hitters, its value really shines through. The Osprey Atmos AG LT 50 (£240, 1.88 kg) and Deuter Aircontact Lite 50+10 (£200, 1.84 kg) are both excellent premium options, but they’re significantly heavier and far more expensive. Even compared to lighter fastpacking models like the Montane Trailblazer 44 (£130, 1.2 kg), the MT900 delivers greater capacity, a more supportive frame, and a noticeably sturdier build for just a few grams more. For anyone searching for the best Decathlon backpack for trekking or a truly capable budget-friendly alternative to high-end brands, this pack strikes the perfect balance between price, performance and practicality — making it one of the most impressive lightweight backpacks we’ve ever tested.

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How we tested the Simond MT900 Light Trekking Backpack

We tested the Simond Light Trekking Backpack MT900 50+10 across some of Britain’s most demanding terrain. First up was a three-day wild camping trip across Dartmoor, where we carried around 13 kg of gear, food and a tent through sun, drizzle and bog. The pack handled it all — steady, balanced, and bone dry thanks to its integrated rain cover. Next, a two-day loop in the Brecon Beacons, taking in Pen y Fan and Cribyn. The steep climbs were a proper test of comfort, and the hip belt in particular impressed us with how well it transferred weight away from the shoulders.

Finally, we took it to the Lake District, hiking out of Great Langdale and camping high above Easedale Tarn. Even on rough, rocky ground, the frame kept the load stable, while the side zip made mid-hike access refreshingly simple. We’ve also since used it on overnight trips in Exmoor and the Thames Valley, where it’s proven just as useful for lighter fastpacking setups.

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Design and usability

Let’s start at the top — quite literally — with the removable 10-litre lid. It’s one of those clever features that turns one pack into two. Strip it off for lightweight overnight trips, or clip it back on when you’re heading out for a week-long expedition. It’s a proper modular design that adds real flexibility.

Below that, the large stretch front pocket has become indispensable. It’s made from a water-resistant fabric that happily swallows soggy waterproofs, spare layers, or even shoes. After a river crossing on Dartmoor, it was the perfect place to dump drenched socks without soaking everything else.

The side pockets and compression straps work beautifully together. They’re deep enough for bottles or tent poles, and the straps lock everything in place when you’re scrambling or ducking through tight spaces. Combine that with the full-length side zip, and the result is a pack that’s genuinely easy to live with. No more digging through the top to find your stove — just unzip, grab, and get on with it.

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Down the front, neat rows of daisy chain webbing add a layer of practicality for attaching mats, poles, or ice axes. It’s minimalist but functional, and makes the MT900 look and feel like a more expensive piece of kit.

Then there’s the carry comfort. The padded hip belt wraps securely around your waist, taking most of the strain off your shoulders. During our Brecon Beacons test, it remained comfortable even with a full load on steep climbs. The dual zip pockets on the belt are a small but brilliant touch — perfect for a compass, snacks, or your phone.

Inside, the internal frame keeps everything stable, even when you’re leaning, scrambling or twisting. It gives the pack a proper trekking feel — closer to an Osprey than its £134.99 price would suggest. The back panel isn’t the most ventilated we’ve used, but it’s still comfortable over long distances, and crucially, it doesn’t sag or collapse under pressure.

And because this is a British adventure pack, the integrated rain cover is a lifesaver. It deploys quickly, fits snugly, and genuinely keeps things dry. Add the whistle-equipped sternum strap and durable polyester shell fabric, and you’ve got a pack that feels thoughtfully built for UK conditions — unpredictable weather, rough paths, and all.

How the Simond MT900 backpack performs in the UK

Across three national parks and countless miles, the Simond Light Trekking Backpack MT900 50+10 has proven itself time and again. It’s light enough for long-distance routes yet strong enough to carry a full wild camping setup. The layout makes packing and unpacking effortless, and the durability gives you confidence no matter the terrain.

What’s most impressive is how well it all comes together. The features aren’t there for show — every pocket, strap and zip feels useful. It’s practical, comfortable and surprisingly refined, offering a trekking experience that rivals packs costing nearly twice as much.

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Simond Light Trekking Backpack MT900 50+10 FAQs

  • Very. The padded hip belt and internal frame distribute weight evenly, reducing shoulder fatigue even on long hikes. It’s not as ventilated as high-end models, but comfort is excellent for the price.

  • The polyester shell is tough and abrasion-resistant, easily withstanding scrapes, rain and rough ground. After weeks of use in Dartmoor, the Lakes and the Brecon Beacons, ours still looks almost new.

  • It’s brilliantly designed. The full-length side zip, multiple external pockets, and removable lid make accessing your gear effortless, even mid-hike. Everything has its place, and it all works logically.

  • The back panel isn’t the most ventilated on the market, but airflow is decent enough for most UK conditions. Unless you’re trekking in Mediterranean heat, it’s perfectly fine.

  • Absolutely. Even at £134.99, it offers unbeatable value for a framed, full-featured trekking pack. It performs like a premium model at half the cost — a genuine gem in Decathlon’s mountain lineup.

Simond MT900 Light Trekking Backpack: our verdict

The Simond MT900 50+10 is one of those rare products that makes you double-check the price tag. It’s durable, comfortable, and impressively light — and at £134.99, it’s still a fraction of what you’d pay for an Osprey or Deuter. For anyone planning wild camps, multi-day hikes, or even fastpacking adventures across the UK, this is a superb all-rounder that will go the distance.

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