First Look: Lightweight, comfortable, and functional. Keep an eye on the diverse lineup of MILLET's new lightweight backpacks

The new backpack goes beyond lightweight

Rather than wrapping yourself in unnecessary burdens, you can engage more deeply with nature by wearing minimal, stripped-down equipment. The idea of ​​"Ultralight (UL)" is a new mountaineering style that was systematized in the late 1990s for hiking ultra-long trails of over 4,000 km in North America. The idea quickly spread around the world, and has now given rise to many enthusiastic enthusiasts

Although there are various pros and cons, the style of running through the mountains lightly with as little luggage as possible, influenced by the UL philosophy, has become popular in recent years in the outdoors. If you're just walking, the lighter your luggage, the better, so as a user, I welcome the emergence of so much gear that suits this style

However, speaking only of backpacks, while pure UL backpacks are incredibly light, they also have a stoic nature in that they completely cut out all the comfortable and convenient features, such as back frames, waist belts, pockets, and attachments

Of course, there are styles for which such UL packs are effective, and they certainly are rational under certain conditions. I'm not denying the existence of such users, but there's no doubt that the majority of average hikers feel that, while lightness is welcome, they don't want to become slaves to that lightness

Isn't it possible to create a backpack that is just right (highly complete as a tool) that is lightweight to a certain extent yet still incorporates cutting-edge comfort and functionality ? It seems that many people have shared this same desire, as 2016 has seen a very interesting trend with a succession of promising new products appearing that seem to confirm this sentiment.

That was a long introduction, but that's why this year Outdoor Gearzine will be focusing on backpacks in the "lightweight" category, which offer an exquisite balance of lightness, comfort, and functionality. Specifically, this category is neither "ultralight" at under 500g, nor the conventional volume of over 1,500g, but rather a category that mainly weighs around 1,000g for a capacity of 30-50L. We'll be introducing as many new products from various manufacturers as we can, and aiming to conduct a comparative test around summer

Now, for the first commemorative installment, we will introduce the new lineup from Millet, a long-established French comprehensive outdoor manufacturer

MILLET's lightweight backpacks are three excellent brothers with different personalities

Millet is now a comprehensive outdoor manufacturer offering a wide variety of products, but its specialty is undoubtedly backpacks. the legendary backpack that made its name known around the world to the introduction of Europe's first all-nylon backpack in the 1960s, Millet's spirit of reliability and innovation, backed by years of experience, continues to be passed down to this day. As a leader in European alpinism, Millet's answer was three excellent brothers, each with a slightly different distribution of their inherited DNA, all of which are "quintessentially Millet."

Main features of each item

"Fast and simple" lightweight: VENOM 30

The Venom series, which continues from last year's model, is the model most suited to fastpacking this year. This year, the details have been revised to further refine its individuality

Regarding weight, which is a basic requirement for fastpacking and ultralight backpacks, the actual weight is about 920g, which is more than enough. What is unique about Millet packs is that they are packed with advanced features that are suitable for fastpacking

For example, there are many features that allow you to move quickly without having to take off your backpack, such as the Opposite Opening™, which allows you to quickly open and close the canopy from the back, the Speed ​​Pole Loop™, which allows you to attach poles without taking off your pack while you are on the move, and the Quick Axe™, which allows you to easily attach axes and poles by inserting them from above

The back panel features an ergonomically designed foam structure, with clean, environmentally friendly Ariaprene® foam covered in highly breathable 3D mesh, making it lightweight, functional, and comfortable, and designed to maintain comfort even during intense exercise

The silhouette is similar to that of a typical ultralight model, and is the slimmest of the three, allowing for greater freedom of movement in the upper body and flexibility on technical terrain

Opposite Opening™ (left) for rear access and Speed ​​Pole Loop™ for quick pole storage

"Comfortable and convenient" lightweight: ELIUM 30

In the context of ultralight, 1,150g is not a figure to be proud of, but the Elium series offers such ease of use and comfort that it makes sense. It's common for a typical mountain hiking backpack to weigh over 1,500g, so it's easy to understand its appeal when you think of it as a surprisingly light weekend hiking pack

Its most distinctive features are the mesh back panel and the Airflow Suspended Back System, which promotes ventilation at the back. Already adopted by several backpack manufacturers, this system has proven its comfort even during midsummer activities. However, achieving this requires a double structure consisting of a back frame and mesh panels, which is usually the first thing to be cut from a lightweight pack of this type. The uniqueness of this pack lies in its deliberate pursuit of comfort. Similarly, the front zipper that allows direct access to the main compartment and the presence of load straps at the bottom of the pack are other key features that suggest the company prioritizes comfort and convenience over lightness

At the same time, the pack is well-balanced, with features that make it easy to move around comfortably, such as the Speed ​​Pole Loop™ and Quick Axe™ found in the Venom series, which support even more agile walking

From left: Airflow Suspended Back™ for comfortable back ventilation, front access zip, and Speed ​​Pole™ system

"Lightest and Simplest" Lightweight: ZENITH 30

Among Millet's backpacks, the Zenith series is by far the lightest. The previous two models packed a certain amount of functionality into their lightness, but this model is refreshingly stripped down to the bare minimum. Oddly enough, if you'd seen this pack 20 years ago, it probably wouldn't have felt out of place. It's so simple that it evokes a certain nostalgia. But that's what's great about it. In a way, that's the very appeal of this backpack

Although it has a slim silhouette, the base is wider than the other two, providing excellent stability and making it easy to stand on its own. And most importantly, it's easy to fit a lot of luggage inside, making it a pack with excellent storage capacity

The Air Connect back structure on the back is a double layer structure with a soft cushioned back panel covered with highly breathable and soft mesh. The foam-padded shoulder straps and hip belt are extremely lightweight, yet still provide excellent breathability without sacrificing cushioning. Even though it's lightweight, it still provides ample comfort

Its simplicity means that it has fewer physical parts, which also gives you good expectations for durability. With such a simple structure, opinions may naturally be divided, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks that this model, which is focused on the basic values ​​of a tool - lightweight, durable, and large capacity - is perfect for the stoic, hardcore, true speed hiker

Other main parts comparison

Main opening and lid (canopy)

The Venom's "OPPOSITE OPENING™" allows access to the main compartment from the rear, and the Venom is the only bag with a convenient zippered pocket on the underside of the canopy

Front pocket attachment

The Venom has a large stretch mesh pocket and a detachable helmet cord. The Elium's pocket is slightly larger than the Zenith's, making it easier to use

Back Panel

Although all three have different approaches, they all have a fairly sturdy frame and offer a comfortable fit and high breathability for a lightweight backpack. Although I haven't used them extensively yet, I personally like the Venom because of its light weight, simple design, and comfortable fit

Side pocket attachment

The net pockets on both sides are made of different materials, but they are all in the same location. On the other hand, the Venom's side compression straps are now only on the bottom, which makes it a little inconvenient for carrying heavy gear. However, the pack offers unique functionality, such as a two-way tape that can be adjusted with a single buckle and a stretchy mesh pocket

Summary: Who is this recommended for?

The table below summarizes the features and specifications of the three backpacks we've looked at above . All of them are fundamentally well-made, so they can be used safely by beginner hikers regardless of the type of activity . That said, there are subtle pros and cons depending on preferences and purposes, so we hope the table below will be helpful. However, the pros and cons may be reversed for some people, so use this as a guideline only, and in the end, be sure to value the feeling of actually wearing the backpack yourself.

VENOM 30

MILLET

18,360 yen

ELIUM 30

MILLET

18,900 yen

ZENITH 30

MILLET

15,120 yen

Check out this article about backpacks

• How to Choose the Right Mountaineering Backpack and 10 Recommended Backpacks for Beginners
• Comparison Test: Comparing Mountaineering Backpacks for Beginners

Check out this article about backpacks

• How to Choose the Right Mountaineering Backpack and 10 Recommended Backpacks for Beginners
• 10 Lightweight Backpacks for Beginners in Fastpacking
• 10 New and Recommended Daypacks for Day Hiking and Everyday Use [Classic & Unique]
• Comparison Review: Comparing the best beginner backpacks for those just starting out in mountaineering
• Comparison Review: Comparing lightweight backpacks perfect for light hiking and fastpacking

   

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