Backside Line
The Nashville Pack Cutaway stands out for its spectacular consolation and performance, whilst a frameless pack. Throughout our in depth testing, operating, and mountain climbing by way of the Rocky Mountains, the Cutaway comfortably carried masses as much as 25 kilos, due to its huge, plush vest-style shoulder straps and optionally available padded hip belt. The pack’s revolutionary design, with 9 simply accessible pockets, units a brand new normal for on-trail comfort.
The dearth of a body may be a downside for these new to ultralight backpacking or who don’t have their ultralight equipment dialed in. Customization and strategic packing include a studying curve, so newbie backpackers would possibly wish to try completely different choices on our ultralight backpacks gear information.
The Cutaway additionally comes with a better price ticket (particularly when factoring in add-ons). Nevertheless, the Nashville Pack Cutaway is undoubtedly one in all our favourite ultralight backpacks for thru-hikers and fast-packers looking for customization, light-weight consolation, and effectivity on the path.
Fast Specs
Nashville Pack Cutaway 40L
Greatest Frameless Ultralight Backpack
CleverHiker Score:
4.8/5.0
Worth:
$326
Weight:
1 lb. .5 oz.
Quantity:
40 L
Max Weight Rec.:
25 lbs
Execs
- Extremely-ultra light-weight
- Good group
- Customizable
- Glorious carry for frameless pack
Cons
- Takes some getting used to
consolation
Whereas frameless packs sometimes sacrifice some stability and weight-carrying consolation, the Nashville Pack Cutaway has managed to attenuate that sacrifice. Surprisingly, this pack carried masses as much as 25 kilos almost as comfortably as some framed packs.
A lot of the pack’s consolation comes from the huge, plush, vest-style shoulder straps. The straps are well-padded with mushy mesh that breathes and wicks moisture. The elevated width of the vest straps is pleasantly embracing—like receiving a agency hug from a cuddly lion cub. These totally customizable straps are offered individually and might be adjusted to your particular shoulder width.
The optionally available detachable padded hip belt wings are constructed equally to the shoulder straps and considerably improve the pack’s stability. On scrambly path sections within the Rockies, the pack rested near the physique, and we skilled minimal(if any) swing weight when utilizing the hipbelt.
Typical of frameless packs, the again panel has no reinforcement from a body, however strategic packing can successfully add stability and padding to optimize the pack’s consolation.
Whereas most ultralight packs can have a body that may be eliminated to shed weight, the Cutaway is designed for frameless consolation from the get-go
Performance
Nashville Pack’s objective with the Cutaway is that your pack by no means causes you to cease on the path, and we predict they’ve far surpassed this objective. The Cutaway has a whopping 9 reachable entry factors for stashing essential gear (aka snacks).
The entrance mesh pocket is big for a frameless pack and, apparently, isn’t separated from the facet “pockets.” This steady design will increase the general quantity and permits for extra various packing methods. A further pocket is sewn into the highest of the mesh to maintain small objects from getting swallowed.
Due to the wrap-around type of the entrance pocket, water bottles do have the potential to shift from the facet “pockets,” however we’ve usually discovered they keep in place fairly effectively. The stretchy facet partitions are additionally very accessible.
Every shoulder strap is outfitted with 3 mesh pockets – 2 decrease ones and 1 reversed higher pocket. The additional huge shoulder straps make these pockets big. They’re glorious for holding GPS gadgets and huge smartphones, however the sheer quantity of snacks you may stuff into these pockets is extremely satisfying.
Lastly, the pack contains a stretchy backside pocket on the again panel, which is superb for stashing skinny or mushy objects.
Water Resistance
The usual EPX70 RS material for the Cutaway is pretty water resistant however not waterproof. Throughout our water publicity take a look at, our gear remained largely dry however with one noticeable weak level – the highest seam of the again panel. With prolonged publicity, this seam may enable sufficient water within the pack to compromise necessary gear, so we suggest utilizing a pack liner.
The pack’s water resistance comes primarily from its C0 Sturdy Water Repellent coating. Whereas it’s efficient at keeping off moisture when it’s new, waterproof coatings inherently turn out to be much less efficient over time. The pack doesn’t embody taped seams which means every one is a possible alternative for leakage.
The mesh on the entrance and facet pockets drains water successfully, decreasing the potential for it to pool within the pockets and soak your gear.
Development
The pack comes normal with EPX70 material, prioritizing weight financial savings over rugged sturdiness. Nevertheless, it’s triple laminated with ripstop material on the outer and inside layers, dramatically rising sturdiness.
One other key characteristic of the Cutaway’s sturdiness is the 3-panel building. This design creates a pack with fewer seams, which suggests higher sturdiness and climate resistance.
Nashville Pack affords the Cutaway in quite a lot of completely different materials for elevated sturdiness from 200-denier EXP200 to climate resistant Extremely materials, and sustainable Aluula Graflyte.
A characterizing characteristic of Nashville Pack is its personalization of each pack. The shoulder straps and hipbelt of the Cutaway might be eliminated utterly and have a variety of adjustability so you may completely dial in your match. In addition they provide a myriad of possibility add-ons, like a bear spray holster, shock wire, and an ice axe equipment.
Ought to You Purchase The Nashville Pack Cutaway Ultralight Backpack?
The Nashville Pack Cutaway is an excellent decide for ultralight backpackers looking for an extremely comfy and purposeful frameless pack. It’s good for seasoned thru-hikers and fast-packers who’ve their equipment dialed in and prefer to crush high-mileage days. With its handy on-the-go group and steady carry, the Cutaway is supposed to go quick and lightweight.
The Cutaway might not be best for these new to ultralight backpacking or who continuously carry heavier masses. The frameless design requires considerate packing to take care of consolation and stability, which generally is a studying curve for some.
The flexibility to customise the pack with quite a lot of add-ons and material selections ensures you may create the proper setup on your wants, though these add-ons can add up in value. The Nashville Cutaway is tough to beat when you’re in search of a top-tier ultralight pack that prioritizes consolation and effectivity.
What Different Ultralight Backpacks Ought to You Think about?
Frameless packs aren’t for everybody, so we’ve included all kinds of ultralight pack kinds in our full ultralight backpacks information.
Pa’Lante V2 Overview: The V2 is one other frameless pack designed to go quick and lightweight. Whereas it’s not fairly as comfy or water resistant because the Cutaway, it comes with a number of material choices and contains a less complicated, extra streamlined design.
Atom Packs The Pulse EP50 Overview: Though the Pulse EP50 is a framed pack, the body is minimal and might be eliminated to perform as a light-weight, sturdy, trail-efficient, larger-capacity frameless pack. It’s additionally obtainable in a 40 liter possibility.
Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 Overview: The Gorilla 50 is among the most comfy medium-sized packs that we examined. It has a body and can present considerably extra help than the Cutaway underneath heavy masses whereas additionally that includes a novel, considerate design.
