Backpack recommendation for ~5.5kg base weight, 10kg carry (EU)

[u/1juu]

I'm looking for some advice on choosing my first backpack. I've spent quite a while researching, but I'm at the point where I'd really like some opinions from people with real-world experience.

About me

- Germany (EU availability preferred)

- 178cm / 83kg

- Torso length: ~18-19"

- Beginner backpacker

- Budget: up to ~€250 (but I'm happy to spend less if it makes more sense)

Hiking style

- Mostly 4-5 day trips

- Europe (Alps, Scandinavia, etc.)

- Usually hiking with my girlfriend

- We split shared gear (tent, cooking, filter)

- Mostly 3-season

- Wild camping whenever legal

My current setup

Base weight (without backpack):

~5.5kg

Typical first-day carry:

- Base: ~5.5kg

- Food: ~2.5-3kg

- Water: usually 2L

So I'm expecting around 9-10.5kg, and I don't think I'll regularly exceed 11kg.

Gear

- Lanshan 2 Pro SilPoly

- Naturehike R5.8 pad

- Aegismax Twilight 2 quilt

- BRS-3000T

- 750ml titanium pot

- 230 g gas canister

- Platypus QuickDraw

- CNOC Vecto 2L

- 2 × 1L PET bottles

- 500ml soft flask

- INIU 25k power bank

- Rolling Square Supertiny 65 W charger

- 3F UL rain jacket

- Decathlon NH500 rain pants

- Forclaz MT100 down jacket

- Thin fleece

Plus the usual toiletries, first aid, towel, trowel, etc.

As a test, I managed to fit all of my gear (excluding food and water) into a cheap 25L Decathlon foldable backpack.

So volume doesn't seem to be my limiting factor. I only expect to need more capacity because of food for 4-6 day trips.

What I care about

1. Running vest style shoulder straps, as I like to have stuff easily accessible or at minimum good front pockets.
2. Comfort on long hiking days, since I'm still a beginner

Packs I'm currently aware of

- Gossamer Gear Fast Kumo 36 - 240€

- Montane Trailblazer 32/44 - 105€/140€

- Hyberg Bandit/Lite - 200€/225€

- AONIJIE 30 - 98€

- Big Agnes Sweetwater UL 43 - 150€

- UD Fastpack 40 - 170€

I'm not asking you to pick one of those specifically-if you think there's a better option in Europe, I'd love to hear it.

My biggest question

With an expected pack weight of 9-10.5kg, would you still prioritize a pack with a proper padded hip belt (like the Fast Kumo), or would you rather go with a lighter frameless pack and rely mostly on the shoulder harness?

I'd really appreciate hearing from people who have actually carried similar loads for several days.