Thanks jimbob,
The Mutant was good because of it's lightness and had several decent features.
It was a nice bright/light green colour which I reckoned would be easily spotted by mountain rescue should I end up face down in snow etc
The first time I packed my gear into it, I realised the material was 'sheer' and I could see the contents from the outside.
Perhaps it was a tough material but given that I could virtually see through it, I didn't have any confidence that it would take a pounding and had visions of the material ripping & spilling the contents out.
I know what you mean about side zips and have found them quite useful (the Deuter Guide has one as well as my very old Karrimor).
What with Christmas and a service & MOT for the car last week, I am just looking at the moment. No doubt the deals will be off when I come to splash out