First Look: 3 Refreshing Lightweight Backpacks from "Light & Fast" MONTANE

is a country that has conquered the world's most famous peaks and is the birthplace of the world's oldest mountain race

One of the defining characteristics of British outdoor culture is the coexistence of these two traditions: height and speed. MONTANE is a brand that embodies the fascinating chemistry between these two traditions. Founded in 1993, the brand proclaims its mission on its official website:

Montane engineers innovative, lightweight, breathable clothing and equipment for endurance sports and activities in extreme environments

Montane's mission is to continue to create lightweight, breathable, and innovative clothing and gear for endurance sports in harsh environments

Summary from the home site mission statement

It's so clear it's almost satisfying. So clear that it makes you wonder, "Yes, I get it, but is it really okay to limit it that much?" In any case, there's no doubt that they are a manufacturer that is always eager to incorporate new technology, while also thoroughly focusing on durability that can withstand polar conditions, and lightweight and efficient design to shave off even a second

Their backpack lineup underwent a major overhaul in 2016, adding many new products optimized for today's diverse needs, including climbing, full-scale mountain climbing, hiking, and running. We managed to get hold of three lightweight backpacks from the lineup that can be used for a wide range of activities, from low mountain hikes to a variety of other activities, and we'd like to share our first impressions

Main features of each item

Lightweight, spacious, and comfortable: Ultra Tour 40

At 730g, it may be lighter than other "ultralight" backpacks, but it's still light enough for a regular backpack. The appeal of this pack isn't its extreme lightness, but its exquisite balance of ease of use, including moderate comfort and durability despite its lightness, and ample storage capacity for day trips and overnight stays

The fabric used is RAPTOR Zero, which has excellent durability and tear strength, yet is lightweight and durable water-repellent

The unique back mechanism, the "Comfort Vent Back Pad," is surprisingly stable, despite not using a metal frame or hard resin. The areas that come into contact with the shoulders and waist are made of mesh and ribbing to ensure sufficient breathability, and combined with a sturdy hip belt that is comparable to that of a regular backpack, it is extremely comfortable to carry

The wide-opening roll-top design not only makes it easy to load and unload luggage, but also prevents water from getting in, eliminating the need for a rain cover. This design is becoming a standard for lightweight backpacks. The buckles on both ends of the entrance can be fastened either at the top or with the removable side buckles, allowing you to customize the opening to your liking

When both ends of the roll top are fastened together with a buckle (left). Fastening both ends with a buckle on the side increases the number of parts, but the design is cleaner

In terms of storage, the mesh pockets on the front, sides, shoulders, and hip belt can hold a variety of clothing and accessories, both large and small. This means you won't feel the inconvenience of not having a canopy pocket. Removable and height-adjustable axe and pole loops on both sides of the front, as well as daisy chains for straps and drawcords, allow for highly expandable packing

It has large, highly stretchable mesh pockets (top and bottom left), an easy-to-attach pole holder (top right), and straps at the bottom for attaching mats, tents, sleeping bags, etc

The lightest model for minimalists: Hyper Tour 38

Simply put, this backpack is "aggressive." Its main material is the cutting-edge "Cuben Fiber," which is incredibly light, strong enough to be used in bulletproof vests, and completely waterproof (seams sealed). The extremely simple design, stripped of pockets and attachments, and other bold features previously only seen in small backpack manufacturers, clearly convey Montane's spirit of challenge (though of course, there will be pros and cons)

The storage opening is a roll-top design, similar to many ultralight backpacks, that opens wide for easy access and prevents water from entering

The cylindrical main compartment is easy to pack and has ample storage capacity

The back is based on the "Comfort Vent Back Pad" that is also used in the Ultra Tour 40, but here too, as much cutting as possible has been omitted

As a result, the entire back of this pack is only covered with a soft, removable pad that prioritizes weight reduction, which makes it difficult to make the back flat, and frankly, you can't expect much in terms of comfort when wearing it. However, in a sense, this is within the expected range for this pack. In fact, this back panel, the "Alpine Mat," can be removed and used as a sleeping mat. This is also one of the mechanisms that has been put into achieving maximum weight reduction

If you remove the tri-folded inner pad and unfold it, it can be used as a closed-cell mat that is not particularly comfortable, but is still usable

The minimalist approach is also evident in the pockets and attachments, with only two stretchy mesh pockets on the shoulder straps (which can hold energy bars, gels, and even a small smartphone) and one large and one small on the hip belt

I was able to fit my smartphone into the mesh pocket (left) on the shoulder strap, which is made of netting, but since there is no lid, there is no guarantee that it won't fall out

As for attachments, there are no attachments on the sides, just a daisy chain on the front, a rubber drawcord attached to it, and one loop for a pole or axe. Even so, with a bit of ingenuity, you can actually do quite a lot with it, so perhaps this is where your packing skills really shine

You can attach some gear to the outside, but there is a limit. It seems better to use a separate sub-bag such as a sacoche for small items

Lightweight, versatile pack for all activities: Medusa 32

The last model is a classic that has been consistently popular for the past few years. Unlike the previous two, this 32L technical pack has a standard design and can be used for a wide range of activities, from trekking to backcountry. It uses Raptor TL and Raptor UTL fabrics for the outer layer, which are both durable and lightweight, ensuring stable durability for a wide range of activities

The "Comfort Back Pad" on the back panel provides a sense of stability with just the right amount of firmness, and its fine grooves ensure high breathability and comfort. The CONTACT Mesh used on the shoulder and hip belt reduces friction with clothing and provides just the right amount of cushioning, giving you peace of mind when carrying heavy loads

The high-resilience padding doesn't have a luxurious feel, but it does provide ample cushioning

In addition, the most noteworthy feature of this backpack is its ingenious storage design. First of all, the Cord Lord structure of the main storage opening makes it easy to open and close

The unique side-opening storage opening makes it easy to open and close with both hands

The stretchy and tough GRANITE STRETCH side pockets can hold water bottles and backcountry skis. The canopy pockets have large openings that can be opened from both sides, and are deep enough to prevent items from falling out even when the pockets are empty, making them incredibly easy to use. There's also a security pocket on the underside of the canopy for coins and keys. The pocket on the right side of the hip belt is large enough to hold a headlamp, gels, energy bars, a GPS, a smartphone, and more

The highlight of the external attachments is the "Dual Tool" system, which allows you to quickly and securely attach trekking poles, ice axes, etc. There are also other convenient attachments, such as loops placed in strategic locations, that make you wonder if this is really a lightweight pack

Side pockets large enough to fit a water bottle (top left), spacious and easy-to-access top lid pocket (top right), hip belt pockets large enough to fit a smartphone or energy bar (bottom left), and a functional dual tool system (bottom right)

By the way, all three packs come with a convenient sternum strap that can be removed with one touch using just the right hand, which also shows that the packs are equipped with a wide range of features designed for speed hiking

The smart sternum strap can be removed with one touch

Summary: What kind of people do they recommend?

As we have seen, all models adhere to the brand's overall concept of being light, weighing less than 1kg, and highly durable, and with a capacity of over 30L they are sufficient for day trips, overnight stays in huts, and even camping in a tent if you are a little clever with them, making them perfectly suited for light hikes such as fastpacking where lightness is important

For beginners looking to enjoy light hiking outside of high altitudes and rocky areas, we recommend the Ultra Tour 40, which offers a good balance of lightness, comfort, and ease of use, and packs in the bare essentials in a clean, simple design . On the other hand , for beginners looking to steadily enjoy all aspects of mountaineering, including rocky ridges and snowy mountains, and prioritizing a lighter introductory backpack, we recommend the Medusa 32 .

So, is it odd to choose the Hyper Tour 38 just because it's about 100g lighter? It's undeniable that such an extreme model is, in a sense, a hobby for general hiking. However, if you're planning to use it for canyoning or rafting, its lightweight, waterproof, and durable features are a perfect match. Furthermore, its cylindrical silhouette, limited external attachments, and weak hip belt—features that would normally be considered disadvantages—can also be used as advantages, making it a good fit

We also recommend this article about backpacks

• How to choose a mountain climbing backpack that won't make a mistake and 10 recommended for beginners
• Comparison test: [For beginners] Comparing mountain climbing backpacks (backpacks)

We also recommend this article about backpacks

• How to choose a mountain climbing backpack that won't make a mistake and 10 recommended for beginners
• 10 lightweight backpacks recommended for those who are about to start fast packing
• From day hiking to everyday use, 10 latest recommended daypacks [Classic & unique]
• Comparison review: Comparing the best introductory backpacks for those just starting to climb
• Comparison review: Comparing lightweight backpacks perfect for light mountain hiking and fast packing

   

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