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

Britain, which conquered world famous peaks, and Britain, the birthplace of the world's oldest mountain race .

One of the characteristics of British outdoor culture is the coexistence of two traditions: height and speed, and MONTANE is a brand that embodies the fun of this chemistry. Founded in 1993, they have declared the following on their official website about their mission:

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

Montain's mission is to continue to create innovative clothing and gear that are lightweight, breathable, and highly breathable for endurance sports in harsh environments.

Summary from the home country website mission statement

It's so clear that it feels good. It's so clear that I'm worried, "I know, but is it okay to limit it to that extent?" In any case, there is no doubt that they are a manufacturer that is always greedy and greedy incorporating new technologies, while also being extremely particular about durability that can withstand polar regions, and lightness and efficiency to reduce the number of seconds.

Their backpack lineup was significantly revised in 2016, and many new items have been added, including climbing, full-scale traverses, hiking, and running, which are optimized for the diverse needs of today. This time, we have obtained three lightweight backpacks that can be used in a wide range of ways, from low mountain hiking to a variety of activities, so we'll introduce you to our first impressions.

Main features of each item

Lightweight, capacity and comfort are free: Ultra Tour 40

The weight of 730g may be inferior to other "ultra-light" backpacks, but it is light enough when considered as a typical backpack. The appeal of this pack is not just the extreme lightness, but also the perfect balance of ease of use, such as moderate comfort and durability, and ample storage for use for day trips and overnight stays.

The fabric uses RAPTOR Zero, which is lightweight and durable, despite its excellent durability and tear strength.

The unique back mechanism, the Comfort Vent Back Pad, is more stable than you might expect, despite the fact that it does not use metal frames or hard resin. The mesh and swells ensure sufficient ventilation in the area that touches the shoulders and waist, and it feels great to carry with you when paired with a sturdy hip belt that is comparable to a regular backpack.

The wide-open roll-top design not only makes it easy to put in and take out luggage, but also prevents water from entering, so there is no need for a rain cover. It is now becoming a classic design for lightweight backpacks. The buckles at both ends of the entrance can be fastened on top or with removable side buckles, allowing you to freely customize them to suit your taste.

When both ends of the roll top are closed with a buckle (left). If you fasten both ends with side buckles, the parts will increase, but the design will look neater.

The storage surface allows you to store a variety of clothing and small items in the mesh pockets on the front, sides, shoulders, and hip belt. This makes it seem like there is no inconvenience in the absence of a canopy pocket. Removable and adjustable height axe pole loops on both sides of the front, as well as daisy chains for passing straps and drawcords, allowing for highly expandable packing.

Large, highly elastic mesh pockets (top and bottom left), easy-to-install pole holders (top and right), and the straps at the bottom can be attached to mats, tents, sleeping bags, etc.

Lightest model for minimalists: Hyper Tour 38

In short, it's a "offensive" backpack. The main material is made of the latest "Cuben Fiber" that is surprisingly light, strong enough to be used in bulletproof vests, and completely waterproof (seamed). With its extremely simple structure with pockets and attachments removed, the spectacular specifications that have only been seen by some small backpack specialists up until now, convey the Montein's unique spirit of challenge (of course, I'm sure there are pros and cons).

Like most ultralight backpacks, the storage vent is a roll-top type that opens wide, makes it easy to put in and take out, and prevents water from flooding.

The cylindrical main compartment is easy to pack and is easy to store.

The back is based on the "Comfort Vent Back Pad" that is also used in the Ultra Tour 40, but here too, any parts that are cut down are omitted as much as possible.

As a result, the entire back is simply equipped with soft pads (removable) that prioritize weight reduction, so the back is not likely to be flat, and to be honest, it is not worth a lot of comfort when it comes to carrying it on your back. However, in a sense, that's within the scope of what I'm expecting for this pack. In fact, this back panel, "Alpine Mat," can be removed and used as a mat for sleeping. This is also one of the mechanisms that will sought to reduce weight.

If you remove the tri-fold pads and unfold them, they can be used as a closed cell mat, if not comfortable, to a minimum, but can be used as a minimum.

Of course, pockets and attachments are designed to maintain a minimalist attitude to the limit. Speaking of pockets, there is an elastic mesh pocket that is just a shoulder strap (you can somehow store energy bars, gels, and smartphones if you're small), and one large or small one on your hip belt.

I managed to store my smartphone in the mesh pocket (left) of the shoulder strap, which is a net, but there is no lid so there is no guarantee that it will not fall off.

As for the attachments, there is nothing on the sides, and there is only a daisy chain on the front, a rubber drawcord attached to it, and a loop (x1) for the pole axes. Still, depending on how you think, you can manage a lot of things, so it's possible to say that this is a place to showcase your packing skills, right?

There are some gears available on the outside, but there are limits. It seems that it is better to use a separate sub-bag such as sacoche for small items.

Lightweight pack for a wide range of activities: Medusa 32

The final model is a classic model that has been steadily popular for the past few years. Unlike the previous two, this 32L technical pack is a standard design that can be used in a wide range of ways, from trekking to backcountry. The outer material uses Raptor TL and Raptor UTL fabrics that combine durability and lightness, ensuring stable durability for a wide range of activities.

The back panel, "Comfort Back Pad," is moderately hard and stable, and the fine grooves provide high breathability and comfort. The CONTACT Mesh, which is used for shoulder and hip belts, reduces friction with clothing and has moderate cushioning, giving you the peace of mind that you can carry heavy loads firmly.

The highly resilient pads don't look luxurious, but they have ample cushioning.

In addition, the storage design is packed with ideas, which is one of the most notable features of this backpack. First of all, the Cord Lord structure in the main storage slot allows for opening and closing with less effort.

The unusual horizontal storage opening makes it easy to open and close with both hands.

The elastic and tough side pockets of the GRANITE STRETCH can hold both water bottles and backcountry skis. The canopy pockets can be opened and closed from both sides, and have a large outlet, and a deep structure so that items do not fall out even when the pockets are empty, making them easy to use. In addition, there is a security pocket on the back of the canopy for storing coins and keys. The pocket on the right side of the hip belt is large enough to fit headlamps, gels, energy bars, GPS, smartphones, etc.

The highlight of the external attachment is the "dual tool" system that allows you to quickly and safely attach trekking poles and ice axes. There are also many other attachments that make it so convenient that you'll think this is a really lightweight pack, such as loops placed at key points.

Side pockets that can hold plastic bottles (top left), top lid pockets that are easy to take out (top right), hip belt pockets that can hold smartphones and energy bars (bottom left), functional dual tool system (bottom right)

By the way, all three packs come with a convenient sternum strap that can be removed with just the right hand with just the right, showing that this area is also full of features designed to be used for speed hiking.

The smart sternum strap can be removed with just one touch.

Summary: What kind of people do they recommend?

As we have seen, each model has a sufficient capacity of over 30L, allowing you to stay in a hut from a day trip, or even stay in a tent with more than 1kg, making it easy to stay in a tent, making it perfect for lighter hikes such as fast packing.

Furthermore, it is recommended for beginners who want to enjoy hiking at high altitudes or rocky areas in a light and comfortable manner. The Ultra Tour 40 is a balanced balance of lightness, comfort, and ease of use, and is a clean and simple design that condenses the bare minimum of functionality . On the other hand, will recommend the Medusa 32 to focus on lighter introductory backpacks

So, is it an oddball to choose the Hyper Tour 38 because it's lighter than about 100g? When you think of such extreme models as a general hiking, it is undeniable that in a sense it is now a hobby area. However, when used for climbing streams or rafting, the characteristics of "lightweight", "waterproof" and "strength" match perfectly, and in the sense that features that would normally be disadvantages, such as a cylindrical silhouette, few external attachments, and a weak hip belt, are likely to fit in the sense that they can also be advantageous.

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