Eleven-ounce pack. Sure, eleven (11) ounces. Okay, possibly you wish to add a couple of equipment or use completely different straps. Name it a 15-ounce pack with options. However, the mad lads over at Zpacks have made one other silly mild pack within the Tremendous Nero, which boasts 37 inner liters for a ten.55oz minimal path weight.
There’s extra to this pack than a quantity on the size, but when there’s one function to catch your consideration, it’s the cutting-edge weight that the Zpacks Tremendous Nero might be configured to.
Zpacks Tremendous Nero Extremely 50L Backpack At-A-Look
Making as a lot use of the web mesh pocket as attainable. A bit of stretch can be appreciated, but it surely works high-quality with out.
MSRP: $269 – $379
- Base Value: $269
- Webbing Hipbelt: +$10
- Padded Hipbelt: +$60
- Vest Straps: +$50
Configured Weights:
- Lightest path configuration (principal physique, small straps solely): 10.55 oz
- Heaviest path configuration (all choices + vest strap, padded belt): 20.3 oz
Itemized Weights:
- Fundamental physique: 8.75 oz
- Commonplace straps, no sternum strap: 2.3 oz*
- Commonplace straps, with sternum strap: 2.6 oz*
- Vest straps, with mounting {hardware} and double sternum strap: 6.4 oz*
- Small / Ladies’s Straps with sternum: 2.1 oz (per Zpacks; I didn’t check these)*
- Again pad / detachable sit pad: 1.0 oz
- Again pad lashing / attachment bungee: .25 oz
- Backside lashing wire: 0.1 oz per pair
- Aspect compression lashing: 0.2 oz per pair
- Prime strap: 0.3 oz
- Webbing hip belt: 1.2 oz*
- Padded hip belt, medium: 3.0 oz (per Zpacks; I didn’t check these)*
- Padded hip belt, massive: 3.3 oz (per Zpacks; I didn’t check these)*
*These things have lengthy webbing that may very well be trimmed for modest weight financial savings, relying on private choice and physique form. Don’t count on to save lots of greater than half an oz altogether, although.
Supplies:
- Fundamental pack physique: Extremely 100X (black for again panel. Blue, black, or gray for entrance panel)
- Bottle pockets: Extremely 100X (black)
- Entrance pocket: Non-stretch web mesh
- Shoulder straps, exterior face: Extremely 100X (black)
- Shoulder straps, inside face: ⅛” 3D spacer mesh
- Shoulder straps, padding: unspecified foam
Dimensions:
- Quantity: 50L
- 37L inner
- 2.5L either side pocket
- 8L middle pocket
- Aspect Bottle Pockets: Match 2x 1L Smartwater (or comparable) bottles
- Shoulder Straps: 3” broad commonplace straps
exiting the wilderness portion of the UHT. you’ll be able to see a pair of gloves protruding of the vest pocket, one thing I tackle and off a number of occasions a day. Having them shut at hand may be very handy.
Supposed Use
The Zpacks Tremendous Nero is a cutting-edge companion for the tremendous ultralight hikers of the world. It is going to carry out finest when whole pack weight is under 18 kilos, that means most hikers will want a sub-9-pound base weight for longer journeys.
Circumstance of Assessment
This pack accompanied me on a sequence of “restoration hikes” from my summer time lengthy trails. On this case, numerous 20-mile days within the Colorado and Utah mountains. It additionally received me by a late-season hike of the 100-mile Uinta Highline Path. To raised match the pack’s design, I reduce my base weight down to simply 8 kilos for many of the journeys.
Zpacks Tremendous Nero Extremely 50L Backpack Options
Superlight, Frameless Design
In its lightest configuration, the Tremendous Nero weighs slightly below 11 ounces. That is an unbelievable feat for any overnight-worthy backpack — much more so for one with 37 liters of inner storage. There are a variety of narrowly reduce corners to attain this. Some are apparent, like the dearth of a body, and others are much less so, like using minimal plastic {hardware} and webbing. Should you’re searching for the lightest by any means, that is virtually as shut as you will get.
Modular Strap System
The shoulder straps of the brand new Nero backpack line are detachable slightly than being sewn instantly into the pack physique. This not solely permits broken or useless straps to get replaced, but it surely additionally provides the choice to have completely different strap designs. At present Zpacks shares simply two strap sorts: commonplace J straps and a running-vest-style “harness,” however the potentialities are infinite. I ordered each to match and continuously switched them out to higher swimsuit the event.
Modular Accent System
Regardless of its lightness, there’s room to regulate and customise this pack. The highest strap might be configured as a single or as a “bear can” Y strap. The usual shoulder straps settle for clip-on equipment comparable to bottle holders and zippered pouches. All of the exterior compression, such because the included aspect bungees and backside “pad holders,” might be eliminated or reconfigured as effectively.
The pack can also be hip belt non-obligatory. If you would like stability or somewhat extra assist, there are webbing hipbelts and padded hip belts accessible. The again pad can also be absolutely detachable, being held in with a diamond-shaped lashing of shock wire slightly than a sewn-in sleeve or pocket.
Rocking an absurd 6.5-pound base weight on the Colorado Path. when the pack is underfilled, having the aspect compression straps is sweet. In any other case, I want to do with out them on most packs.
Zpacks Tremendous Nero Extremely 50L Backpack Execs
Slicing-Edge Low Weight
Within the ultralight section of the market, weight is king. Zpacks has actually tried their finest to trim down each final piece of {hardware}, webbing, and foam for absolutely the lightest pack. There are only a few issues that may be performed to trim the load down even additional.
If decreasing storage quantity for extra weight financial savings is of curiosity, Zpacks makes two different sizes within the Nero sequence (the 30L sub-Nero and the 40L Nero).
One other avenue is decreasing the pack material weight. The Ultra100X is already tremendous mild for a pack material at 3.3oz/sq. yard. It’s nonetheless lots sturdy and surprisingly abrasion resistant. Taking a step all the way down to one thing like <2oz silnylon or 1.5oz DCF would save a couple of ounces however make a particularly noticeable distinction in abrasion and rip resistance. I think about this tier of weight financial savings “Ultralight Icarus:” too audacious for all however probably the most elite hikers.
Vest Straps for Quick and Technical Climbing
I switched between the usual and the vest straps a variety of occasions. Whereas the usual straps had been completely ample for tremendous mild hundreds and informal day mountain climbing, I finally most well-liked the heavier however extra featured vest straps for my solo backpacking. I assumed they carried and distributed my pack weight higher than the usual straps (extra on why the usual underperformed under), and supplied a variety of handy storage for snacks, gadgets, and bottles. I notably appreciated the soundness that the high-contact space supplied for steep, technical mountain climbing. The double sternum straps assist hold the load in place higher, with out the necessity for a hipbelt.
Excessive Quantity for Cumbersome Gear
Whereas the pack has a nominal quantity of 50L, the principle physique inner quantity is listed by Zpacks as 37L. The “different” 13 liters come from the aspect bottle pockets and entrance pocket. Even so, 37 inner liters is fairly massive for an 11-ounce, primarily hip-beltless design. Filling this bag to the brim most likely means it’s being overloaded to a point, particularly if there’s a excessive proportion of heavy objects like meals and water.
I wished the additional house of the Tremendous Nero over its smaller siblings for the sake of the cumbersome however mild gear that shoulder season brings. On my October through of the Uinta Highline Path, the opportunity of sub 20-degree nights and daytime highs within the low 40s meant I packed a bit extra insulation than common within the type of a zero-degree quilt, a puffy jacket, and a extra substantial sleeping pad.
The burden premium over my commonplace summer time package is lower than a pound, but it surely most likely elevated my packed quantity by some 8-10L.
Taped Seams for Excessive Waterproofness
When unboxing the Tremendous Nero, I used to be pleasantly stunned to note seam tape on the principle pack physique. Only a few packs beneath 1.5 kilos have taped seams, because it often comes at a weight premium between 1 and a couple of.5 ounces, relying on the variety of seams and pack quantity.
Taped seams complement waterproof, laminate materials effectively, masking up the microscopic line of holes made by stitching. Taped packs are virtually solely waterproof when new and stay extremely resistant as they age.
A secret advantage of tape is that it truly makes the seams considerably stronger and fewer more likely to stretch or delaminate. Delamination is the first failure technique of Extremely materials, and as such the producer (Problem Outside) truly recommends taping for many purposes.
Adjustable Belt and Shoulder Strap Place
The underside corners of the Nero’s again panel function a sequence of three webbing loops. Spaced about 1 inch aside, every loop can be utilized to mount the hip belt and/or the shoulder straps. In impact, this makes the torso size adjustable by 2 inches for the usual straps and hip belts.
The vest straps have two connection factors at this location, which makes them adjustable by just one inch (the 2 straps must be mounted to completely different places and, due to this fact, solely have one remaining loop to maneuver to).
The sophisticated attachment system on the backside of the pack. The sequence of webbing loops are used for each the chest straps and hip belts, which might result in crowding.
Zpacks Tremendous Nero Extremely 50L Backpack Cons
Straps are Not Very Snug
Each strap kinds for the Nero function very minimal efficient padding.
The scenario is significantly worse, and admittedly silly, in the usual straps. Whereas they function pretty commonplace 3/8″ thick by 3” broad padding for the size of the strap, their skill to really compress and pad the physique is considerably hampered by their chosen accent and sternum strap mounting system.
Practically each pack available on the market makes use of 3/4-inch broad true webbing, sewn “daisy chain” model with bartacks at spacious intervals. Zpacks has as an alternative sewn two layers of weak grosgrain on prime of one another. The underside layer is 7/8-inch broad and sewn absolutely across the perimeter, whereas the narrower 1/2-inch prime layer is sewn daisy chain / bartack interval model. Whereas I’m certain this protects some quantity of weight, the impact on the padding is disastrous. All this further stitching primarily pre-compresses the froth, that means it can not transfer and rebound to offer actual cushioning.
I discovered this diminished padding to essentially solely be usable in the long run for sub-15-pound whole pack weights, one thing unachievable for all however probably the most excessive ultralight hikers. I might a lot slightly see them skip the accent mounting system and “edge mount” their sternum straps, much like what many working vests do.
The “commonplace” straps and their extreme stitching. I don’t assume they stack up effectively, comfort-wise, to most packs, however they’re impressively mild.
The poor padding is achieved in another way on the vest-style straps. These truly solely present foam padding on prime of the shoulder. The neckline and torso portion of the pack use solely spacer mesh, a extra minimal and fewer supportive fabric-based padding.
Fortunately, the froth portion of the vests is barely interrupted by one small grosgrain piece to mount a toggle for some form of accent. This enables the froth to do its job and supply padding the place probably the most weight is transferred. The spacer mesh used under is surprisingly comfy, partially as a result of reality there’s extra floor space balancing out the decrease padding quantity. Utilizing solely spacer mesh additionally has the important thing advantage of being decently breathable. I discover this necessary in full-coverage vest straps, as sweat and warmth can construct up considerably when a closed-cell foam or waterproof pack material is launched.
With the vest straps, I discovered the comfy load restrict to be extra within the 18 – 20-pound vary. I often overloaded to 22 – 24 kilos, which was a lot more durable to tolerate for lengthy durations.
Vest Strap Pockets May be Conflicting
The vest straps function three pockets on either side: one zippered pocket accessed horizontally by the sternum strap, a tall open-top pocket, and an extra lower-cut prime entry pocket that matches in between. Having three separate chambers is sweet for preserving issues organized, however in apply I discovered it laborious to make use of a number of without delay.
All three of those pockets sit on prime of one another across the ribcage. I usually discovered that after a pocket was about half full (say, placing a telephone within the zippered pocket), utilizing the opposite two turned tough. The present bulk made it laborious to slip new objects previous the others. If the pockets had been extra unfold out throughout the torso or underarm areas, this may be much less of an issue.
Different Vest Strap Design Misses
Along with the pocket points, I discovered another minor gripes with the vest straps. They use two separate lengths of 1/2-inch webbing to connect the underside of the straps. Balancing the tightness between the 2 was tough, and positioning them incorrectly usually led to outer ribcage chafe.
I additionally discovered the “collar” that wraps across the neck to be ineffective. Regardless of how I configured it, it was all the time floppy and unloaded. At finest it appeared to do nothing, at worst it may battle with hooded layers or trigger further chafe.
I’ve lengthy suspected these wrap-around harnesses are solely helpful for terribly massive entrance hundreds or when sewn absolutely into the extension collar of the pack. The Tremendous Nero confirmed this for me.
Utilizing the Tremendous Nero as a summit pack. The vary of movement and compressibility made it nice for a fast in a single day hike in and summit of “Colorado’s hardest 14er.”
No Small Padded Belt Choices
On a bigger quantity pack that will get overloaded often, having a padded hip belt will help ease the load on the shoulders. Sadly, they don’t make a padded hip belt sufficiently small for my gaunt waist and hips. Their “medium” padded belt has a minimal diameter of 30 inches, a lot smaller than the 26 – 28-inch minimal I personally want.
I discover the omission of a small hip belt odd, particularly contemplating their inclusion of small/girls’s measurement shoulder straps and their goal demographic of endurance athletes who are inclined to run lean.
Whereas I ordered a webbing hipbelt to go together with my Tremendous Nero, anticipating it to switch any weight comfortably is unrealistic. The belt must be considered extra as a lift in lateral stability. I discovered this further piece pointless when used with the vest straps nonetheless, so I caught to going hip-beltless more often than not.
Restricted Whole Pack Weight
The minimally padded shoulder straps and hip-beltless-first design means most individuals will discover a sensible restrict within the 15 – 18-pound vary. Most individuals think about the restrict on frameless packs to be about 20 kilos regardless resulting from human anatomy, so there isn’t enormous room for enchancment right here. It could be good if the padding may very well be improved to make these lengthy meals carries only a bit extra comfy, although.
Questionable Use of Plastic {Hardware} and Grosgrain
As famous above, using grosgrain on the shoulder straps is a reasonably questionable compromise in perform. Grosgrain, typically known as “ribbon,” is lighter however significantly much less sturdy than typical webbing. I’ve a tough time wrapping my head round utilizing it for necessary structural mounting, comparable to sternum strap connections, or to connect {hardware} for compression straps.
Talking of {hardware}, Zpacks selected among the smallest, daintiest {hardware} for buckles and ladder locks I’ve ever seen on a mass-produced pack. Of specific concern was the locking mechanism for the replaceable shoulder straps, which use a glorified security pin to maintain them in place.
I didn’t expertise any failure and even indication of wear and tear in my few hundred miles of testing, however I by no means fairly received the peace of thoughts with them I might have appreciated.
The vest straps on the “yoke.” discover the protection pin like gadget that forestalls the webbing from passing by the plastic {hardware}. On the opposite attachment factors, you will note intensive use of slender grosgrain and smaller than common plastic {hardware}.
Internet Mesh is Vulnerable to Snags and Tears
The surface pockets of a backpack are usually fabricated from both pack fabric, stretch mesh, or web mesh. Zpacks makes use of web mesh on most of their packs. It’s non-elastic and open, theoretically permitting drying and drainage whereas staying mild at 3.5oz/sq. yard. Most stretch meshes are significantly heavier and, in some points, much less sturdy.
In apply, the web mesh left me upset. The concept of drugs drying in these exterior pockets is optimistic since they get so bunched up that you would need to take off your pack and rotate your rain jacket or different gear frequently to show new sections to air. The acute openness of the mesh makes it a lot extra liable to snags than opaque pack materials and even tighter-knit stretch meshes, nullifying its excessive power.
Internet mesh nonetheless has its advocates, however personally, I want a pack fabric or stretch mesh relying on the applying. I want this was a customizable property of the pack slightly than a regular function.
General Worth
The Tremendous Nero is an absurdly mild pack that makes a couple of compromises on consolation and long-term sturdiness to attain its feather-light weight. It exists to chop base weights by any means and is finest for knowledgeable, ultralight-focused hikers.
At $270 in its base configuration, it’s truly on the cheaper aspect for premium, frameless, ultralight packs. Deciding on a variety of equipment and add-ons will rapidly increase the worth in the direction of the highest of the bracket.
Store the Zpacks Tremendous Nero 50
A Few Comparability Objects
Nashville Packs Cutaway
- MSRP: $356
- Weight: 17.4 oz
Pa’lante Desert Pack
- MSRP: $300
- Weight: 20.9 oz
Durston Gear Wapta
- MSRP: $280
- Weight: 16.9 oz
The Zpacks Tremendous Nero Extremely 50L Backpack was donated for function of overview
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