Order:

Nero Backpack - $199

Specifications:

Pack Weight: 10.9 ounces (309 grams) | Foam sit pad adds 1.0 oz (28 grams)

Belt: 1" (2.5 cm) wide x 50" (127 cm) circumference. 1.2 oz (34 grams) included.

Body dimensions: 5.5" x 12" x 23" (14 cm x 30 cm x 59 cm)

Volume: 25L main body, 2.5L each side pocket, 8L center pocket, 38 Liters Total

Load Capacity: Recommended up to 20 lbs (9 kg)

Backpacks are made to order and are currently shipping in about one week. There may also be lightly used gear in our Bargain Bin.

Zpacks� Nero Backpack

Description:

The Nero is an ultralight frameless backpack stripped down to only the most popular features. This compact backpack has no frame aside from a closed cell foam sit-pad for cushioning. It is best suited for hardcore long distance hikers with base weights around 5-6 lbs (2.5 kg) and maximum loads up to 20 lbs (9 kg). It is also a good choice for short hikes when less weight and volume is required.

The pack is constructed from tough 2.92 oz/sqyd Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF). This material is made with ultra high strength Dyneema fiber on the inside, with a protective layer of 50 denier Polyester on the outside.

Features:

Watch the Nero Backpack Overview Video with Will Wood.
Three belt positions allow you to move the webbing belt up or down to fit a range of torso heights. The included belt is 1" (2.5 cm) wide and has a maximum adjustment of about 50" (127 cm) circumference. The belt contributes 1.2 ounces (34 grams) to the total weight. It can be trimmed down or removed.
Belt pouches with integrated belt pads are sold separately for those who desire more belt cushioning.
A roll top closure clips down to the sides of the pack using Lineloc 3 WSR buckles. The cords can be cinched to compress the pack volume. The side compression can also be used to stand tall items like trekking poles in the side pockets.
A closed cell foam sit pad measuring 11" x 15.5" (28 cm x 39.4 cm) is included and adds an additional 1 ounce to the total weight of the pack. The foam provides some cushion and support against your back. It is an egg-crate pattern to allow a little bit of air flow. The sit pad is held in place with shock cord and comes off quickly for breaks.
The shock cord can be re-tied to accommodate up to 20" tall folded sleeping pads, or taller sit pads.
The pack material is waterproof. All seams and attachment points are taped, making the pack highly water resistant.
Comfy 3/8" thick by 2.5" wide padded contoured shoulder straps. The straps have a daisy chain for clipping on items, and an adjustable position sternum strap is included. The shoulder straps have 3D mesh on the underside which gives them a little bit more cushion.
Side pockets are sized to fit 1 or 1.5 liter bottles. They are positioned low on the pack and slanted forward for easy access without removing the pack. The pockets have drainage holes at the bottom, and elastic that keeps them tight at the top.
Large stretchy mesh center pocket is great for quick access items. Mesh also lets you dry wet clothing and gives you a clear view of your gear.
This pack can be folded up to fit inside a 1 gallon zip lock bag. It can easily be packed in your luggage or used as a carryon.
All Zpacks gear has a two year limited warranty against defects in materials or workmanship. Please see our return / warranty policy.

Sizing:

This backpack has three belt attachment positions allowing you to move the belt up or down to fit a range of torso heights. The actual distance on the pack from the bottom of the belt to the top of the shoulder straps can be adjusted from about 18" to 22" (46 to 56 cm) which will fit the majority of adults. On a frameless backpack it is nice to have the shoulder straps roughly level with the tops of your shoulders (rather than wrapping up around them) so that more weight is forced on to the webbing belt. The pack body does not extend much above your shoulders and no load lifter straps are needed.

The webbing belt will fit up to around 50" circumference and can be trimmed down for smaller waists or swapped out for larger waists. To move the belt to a different position, slide off the belt buckle and back the webbing out of the backpack attachment points.

Reviews and Customer Testimonials:

Please email us with feedback (good or bad) if you have any!

"I honestly couldn't have imagined using any other pack on my 'Fastest Known Time' hike of the Great Smoky National Park 900 in 2017. It was the perfect size, super lightweight, and it carried everything I needed it to comfortably. Being able to keep my total pack weight super low was very important for this hike. Even though I have well over 900 miles on this pack, it still looks new. No rips or tears. And one of my favorite features on the pack is that the roll top secures down the side. Thank you for building great gear. It's super lightweight, dependable and durable. I trust my life with it. Not to mention your customer service at Zpacks is top notch. As a long time customer, it's what keeps me coming back." -Benny "Plug It In" Braden

"Before this I wasn't a big fan of frameless packs but the Nero really blew me away." Watch Jason S.'s full review and walkthrough of his Nero Backpack.

John Abela does an Initial Walkthrough Video of the Nero Backpack.

Spencer L. talks about his Nero in this Nero backpack test hike video on the San Jacinto section of the PCT.

Thank you very much for the fast delivery of my backpack. Just came back from a 3 day trip in the Austrian alps with my Nero backpack (shown w/ Z-Seat pad), and I was very happy with the pack. It carried all my stuff easily and I still had plenty of room left. Also the material is pretty sturdy, so I�m overall very pleased and satisfied. -Tobias E.

"We hiked about 60 miles with close to 37,000 ft of elevation gain in 4.5 days on Baranof island, Alaska. I think we went over some mountains no one had traveled before, but we haven�t confirmed that yet. Overall, the combination of ocean, temperate rainforest, granite peaks, and glaciers is stellar. The Nero backpack (see photos) is a huge improvement in carrying comfort from the previous Zero. It carried five days of food, crampons, a 60 meter rope, harness, ice tool, some rock climbing gear, and clothing for wet weather with temps in the upper 30s." -Max Neale

"Recently my wife purchased a Nero pack for me as a birthday gift. I took it out on a 3 night 38 mile hike through the Pecos Wilderness in NM. The pack rides great! I shaved almost 4 lbs switching to this pack. I was able to put in my first full load out at under 20 lbs including consumables, and I hiked my first 20 mile day. After this trip, I can safely say this is my favorite piece of gear I own. Not only is the Nero a quality piece of kit, it is also incredibly budget friendly for those looking to shed some weight without blowing up their bank account. Thank you Zpacks team for providing this quality pack at an affordable price." -Tim E.

"Just wanted to say thanks for building my amazing Nero backpack and other similar products for hikers who don't look for overbuilt gear with unnecessary bells or whistles - just a light and simple bag with a great suspension (I'm tall and having torso adjustability was a bonus - you rarely see this feature in small packs). Last weekend I took it for a two day hike of Cranberry Lake 50 trail and was amazed how well it carried the weight - I hardly noticed it even after the second 26-mile day when I started to get pretty tired. I think the multi-pack pouch also helped in balancing the load a lot. All the best." -Roman

Read Philip Werner's Nero Backpack Review at Sectionhiker.com.

"Hi Team Zpacks! Just completed the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in New Zealand with the Nero backpack and the multipack! Works like a charm on day trips as well as overnighters. Thanks for great products an a happy new year to you all." -Johan Lundh, Sweden

"I have some Nero Backpack feedback for you. I used the pack multiple times this past summer (2018). The most lengthy was my thru hike of the JMT. I had some reservations because I was carrying slightly more (21 lbs day one) than the recommended weight, in the end the pack was flawless. I carried the BV450 canister and it fit just perfectly sideways in the bottom of the pack. I also carried the Zseat, folded once from each end, it fit perfectly behind the Zpacks foam backpad that comes with the pack, offering some additional rigidity to the back of the pack. My Thermarest Neo Air folded in 1/6th's fit perfectly inside the back of the pack adding additional comfort as well. I opted to purchase the padded hip pad pouches with the pack bringing the total backpack weight to an unbelievable 13.3 oz. Comfort, not even a subject worth discussing. I have no negative comments. Many folks I chatted with in passing while on the JMT were quite interested in my pack. "Did you see how small that guys pack was?", "How much does your pack weigh?" -Chris K.