First Look: Lightweight, comfortable and functional. You can't take your eyes off the diverse lineup of MILLET's new lightweight backpacks

The new backpack goes beyond the weight reduction

Instead of stiffening yourself with more burden than necessary, you will naturally face deeper with minimal equipment that has been stripped down. In the late 1990s, the idea of ​​Ultra Light (UL), a new mountain climbing style that was systematized for walking over 4,000km of ultra-long trails in North America, quickly spread across the world, and now produced many enthusiastic enthusiasts.

Although there are many merits and demerits, in recent years, the style of running through the mountains with as little luggage as possible is popular in the outdoors, influenced by the UL philosophy. If you just walk, it's best to simply have a light luggage, so as a user, it's a great welcome to have a large number of gear that suits this style.

However, when it comes to backpacks, pure UL backpacks are surprisingly light, but they also have the stoic feel of cutting through the comfortable and convenient features of the back frame, waist belt, pockets and attachments.

Of course, these UL packs have a style that can be used to make them useful, and it is certainly reasonable under those conditions. Although I am not denying such users as such, it is undoubtedly true that most ordinary hikers felt that such cutting-edge packs "lightness is welcome, but I don't want to be a slave to lightness."

While pursuing a certain level of lightness, it is not possible to create a backpack that incorporates cutting-edge comfort and functionality, just the right amount of perfection as a tool . Perhaps many people had this same feeling, and it seems that in 2016, there are a very interesting trend, as new releases with anticipated signs of this feeling are coming out one after another.

This is a long introduction, but for that reason, Outdoor Gearzine will be focusing on the classification of backpacks called "lightweights" that have been sublimated with an exquisite balance of lightness, comfort and functionality this year. In a specific category, it is not "ultra light" that is less than 500g, nor is it a conventional volume of over 1,500g, and is mainly weighing around 1,000g for a capacity of 30 to 50L. We would like to introduce as many new products as possible from various manufacturers that you can think of, and conduct comparison tests with a goal around summer.

Now, for the first time, we'll introduce you to the new lineup of Millet, a long-established French comprehensive outdoor manufacturer.

MILLET's lightweight backpacks have three siblings with different personalities

Millet is a comprehensive outdoor manufacturer that offers a wide range of items, but the most famous item is the backpack. is still being passed down to the present day including the legendary backpack that was used by the French squad that first climbed Annapurna, which is said to be the "most dangerous 8,000m peak" to the present day, and in the 1960s, the first European all-nylon backpack to the world. Millet, the leading European alpinism, came up with the answers that all of them were "they're Millet," but the three honor students' brothers who share the inherited DNA in a slightly different way.

Main features of each item

"Legal Rapid" Lightweight: VENOM 30

The Venom series, which has been continuously developed since last year's model, is the most "fast packing" model of this time. This year, the individuality of the company has been refined due to the smallest details.

The weight, which can be considered a fundamental premise for fast packing or ultra-light backpacks, is actually measured at around 920g, so it's a good enough passing point. What's distinctive about Millet's packs is that they are nevertheless abundantly incorporate advanced features suitable for fast packing.

For example, there are many ways to act quickly without having to lower the 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 the pole without lowering the pack while you are on the move, and the Quick Axe™, which allows you to easily insert the axe or pole from above.

The back panel is designed to be lightweight, functional and comfortable, with a foam structure developed based on ergonomics, and clean, environmentally friendly Ariaprene foam covered with highly breathable 3D mesh, making it easy to combine lightweight, functional and comfort, and has been designed to ensure that it does not lose comfort even with high amounts of momentum.

The silhouette is similar to the typical ultralight type, making it the slimmest of the three. This allows for large, free movement of the upper body and flexibly adapts to technical terrain.

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

"Comfortable and convenient" lightweight: ELIUM 30

In the context of Ultralight, the number 1,150g is by no means a proud number, but the Elium series is so easy to use and comfortable that it makes sense. It's only natural that a typical traverse backpack is "over 1,500g", so if you think of it as an incredibly light weekend hiking pack, it's easy to understand its appeal.

Their most distinctive features are the airflow, suspension back system structure that promotes breathability on the mesh back panel and back. It has already been adopted by several backpack manufacturers and has proven comfort during midsummer activities. However, in order to do this, it is necessary to have a double structure of the back frame and the mesh panel, so this is usually the first thing that should be cut down for this type of lightweight pack. It can be said that this pack is unique in that it deliberately pursues comfort. Similarly, the presence of a front zipper that allows direct access to the main compartment and a load strap at the bottom of the pack is another major feature that makes you think that they are not lighter, but more emphasizing comfort and convenience.

At the same time, I have not forgotten the features that are useful for comfortable activities, which is the good balance of this pack. It supports even lighter walking with the Speed ​​Pole Loop™ and Quick Ax™, which are included in the Venom series.

From left, the Airflow Suspended Back™, Front Access Zip, Speed ​​Pole™ system for comfortable back ventilation

"Lightest and Simple" Lightweight: ZENITH 30

Among Millet's backpacks, the Zenith series is extremely light. The previous two have been lighter and have some functionality in addition to their lighterness, but this model has been stripped down to a level of functionality. Oddly, it may not have been strange if I had seen this pack 20 years ago. It's so simple that it gives off a certain sense of nostalgia. But that's what's good. In a sense, that's the appeal of this backpack.

It generally has a slim silhouette, but even so, compared to the other two, the bottom is wide, providing excellent stability and ease of standing. And most importantly, this pack is easy to put in lots of luggage, and in that sense its high storage capacity.

The air-connect back structure on the back is a double structure that covers the back panel with soft cushions with mesh that is highly breathable and feels good on the skin. The foam padded shoulder strap and hip belt are hollowed out to the extreme, yet are breathable without losing cushioning. It has not lost sufficient comfort despite its light weight.

The simplicity means that there are few physical parts, and it also makes you expect high durability. Of course, there may be some differences in reputation for this simple structure, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks that this model, which is extremely lightweight, robust and large capacity, is suitable for a stoic, hard-core, true speed hiker.

Other major parts comparison

Main opening and lid (canopy)

Access to the main compartment is particularly impressive with Venom's "OPPOSITE OPENING™" that opens and closes from the back. Furthermore, Venom has a zipper pocket on the back of the canopy, making it convenient.

Front pocket attachment

The Venom comes with a large stretch mesh pocket that is stretchy and a removable cord that can also be attached and attached to the helmet. The Elium pockets are slightly bulging than Zenith, making them easier to use.

Back panel

Although all three approaches differ, they are basically all equipped with a somewhat sturdy frame, providing a comfortable carrying experience and high breathability for a lightweight backpack. Although I haven't used it yet, I personally like the Venom's lightweight, simple yet comfortable fit.

Side pocket attachment

Although the net pockets on both sides are made of different materials, all three of them are arranged in common. On the other hand, the Venom side compression straps will only be at the bottom this year, so I'm a little worried about the heavy gear. On the other hand, there is a high level of functionality that can be achieved, such as two-way tape adjustable with a single buckle and a stretchy mesh pocket.

Summary: What kind of people do they recommend?

The features and specs of the three backpacks we have seen above are summarized in the table below . All of these are basically well-built, so beginners can use it with confidence regardless of the type of activity . Furthermore, there are some subtleties and poor preferences depending on your preferences and purpose, so we hope that the table below will be helpful. However, there is a possibility that the advantages and disadvantages can be reversed for some people, so as a guideline, be sure to value the feeling you actually carry on your own in the end.

VENOM 30

MILLET

18,360 yen

ELIUM 30

MILLET

18,900 yen

ZENITH 30

MILLET

15,120 yen

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