Granite Gear backpacks give the impression of being highly functional and equipped with features you won't find anywhere else. The design is also unique and appealing, making you want to try them out. But what's it like actually using one? Personally, I've been very curious about them, but I haven't seen many people using them, so I decided to take a closer look
table of contents
General features
Granite Gear is based on the concept of creating innovative gear, and has produced a wide range of gear that combines innovative design and functionality. From backpacks to stuff sacks, the brand is highly regarded for its gear
The Nimbus Trace Access 60 is intended for use in tents or on trails for two to three nights. While it's not particularly lightweight among Granite Gear's packs, the backpack itself was designed with lightness in mind, and its unique back system and waist belt are designed to accurately hold the weight of your luggage, making it comfortable to wear and offering excellent packing performance. It also boasts a distinguished track record, having won the prestigious OUTSIDE magazine's "GEAR OF THE YEAR" award in 2014
Recommended points
- It's lightweight and easy to carry, making it ideal for active people who want to travel long distances and keep their luggage light
- The wide range of buckles and zippers allows for a variety of packing styles
- The lid can be removed to make the bag lighter, and the removed lid can be conveniently used as a waist bag
- As a backpack, it is very easy to use, with a large opening and the front zipper allowing easy access to the contents
Points that interest me
- There are many zippers and buckles, so operation is a bit of a hassle and some people may find it troublesome or complicated
- The small and thin straps and buckles can be a disadvantage in some situations
- There are many cavities on the back, so you need to be careful about the season you use it in
- It is an excellent lightweight backpack that is comfortable to carry, but if it becomes too heavy it will lose its appeal
Detailed review
Item appearance
GRANITE GEAR NIMBUS TRACE ACCESS 60 / Women's model: NIMBUS TRACE ACCESS 60 KI
Front
Back
side
Main Specifications and ratings
| item | Specifications and ratings |
|---|---|
| material | 100D & 210D Silhybrid Nylon Cordura |
| color |
|
| Size/Length of the back | 46-56cm |
| capacity | 60 liters |
| weight | 1,900g |
| Optimal Load | 27kg |
| Waist belt | Nimbus EXO |
| Rear system | Topoflex + Advection Panel (Maple Composite) |
| Hydration compatible | ◯ |
| Rain cover | × |
| function |
|
| Comfort | ★★★★☆ |
| weight | ★★★★☆ |
| Stability | ★★★☆☆ |
| Ease of use | ★★★★☆ |
| Storage and functionality | ★★★★★ |
| Versatility | ★★★★☆ |
| Durability | ★★★☆☆ |
| Overall score | ★★★★☆ |
Detailed review of each part
Rear system
First, let's take a look at the shoulder pads and waist belt. These are about half the thickness of the sturdy mountain climbing model, but they feel solid and firm to the touch. The hip belt is a little on the larger side. There are many loops, so it seems like it would be easy to attach small items using a carabiner or similar
The back system is unique and interesting to operate. Topoflex, which is made of maple, so it feels firm and comfortable to wear.
The structure allows for efficient air circulation over the plate. It's called the " Advection Back Panel " and is designed to allow air to circulate so that heat doesn't build up at the back. When wearing it, there's no particular feeling of it touching your back, so it's not particularly bothersome. However, as is the case with all backpacks that have a lot of space at the back for air circulation, it seems like snow might get stuck in these gaps during winter activities where powdery snow is falling.
The back adjustment is also fixed with screws, which is an unusual design
The mechanism is to remove this screw with a tool and adjust it. (It's a little stiff, so be careful not to strip the threads when adjusting.) It's a bit of a hassle because it's not a mechanism that can be easily adjusted on the spot, but it does allow you to fix it firmly. If you think about it, once you decide on the size, you won't move it much after that. It also has a wooden look, which I personally like
How does it actually feel to wear it? ~I tried walking with a load of 15kg and 25kg~
When it was lighter, I was able to walk comfortably without any particular issues, but the padding I mentioned earlier was thin, and combined with the functionality of the back system, it distributed the weight stably without any problems, keeping my back cool and making it comfortable to wear
As expected from the thinness of the padding, when carrying heavy loads, the shoulder and waist straps felt a little tight. However, as I gradually reduced the amount of luggage I was carrying to about 20 kg, the feeling returned to a level where I no longer noticed it. I think the maximum usable weight is about 27 kg, but I feel that it is actually comfortable to carry up to a weight just over 20 kg
This is a large, lightweight backpack, so as theory goes, the best way to get the most out of it is to use it in a way that doesn't make it too heavy
Buckle Strap
The buckle is small, but it's easy to use in warm weather like now. However, it's so small that it would be difficult to operate while wearing thick winter gloves. Given the gap at the back and this, I think it's best to use it from spring to autumn, and if you're going to use it in snowy weather, it's most comfortable in the mountains when it's warm and there's still snow left
Also, the straps are thin, so I think it's best to avoid attaching anything too heavy to the external device. A light mattress or similar would be best
Storage
The wide opening makes it easy to put things in and take them out
The front zipper also allows direct access to the inside, making it easy to take out the contents
If you look closely, you'll see that it has an unusual structure in which the buckle inside prevents items from falling out and acts as a compression mechanism
The stretch mesh pocket is also easy to access, making it ideal for storing maps and small items
It is also designed to accommodate a hydration system
There are a variety of zippers and pockets available, and the more you play around with them, the more functions they come up with, which is fun
The only thing that bothered me was the small side zippers at the top of both sides
I felt like the zipper movement might interfere with the straps. I guess this zipper is a good place to store things you don't often take out
It's also convenient that you can remove the lid and use it as a hip bag
It has enough capacity to carry valuables, rain gear, water, and snacks when you leave your luggage and head out for a quick trip. There is an internal pocket so you can put things you don't want to lose, like keys, in there
When removed, the opening can be secured by a roll-up system and a cross buckle can be fastened from above, so it can be used as is, making it even lighter
Summary: What kind of activities do you recommend?
This is highly recommended for ultra-high-speed hikers and long trail hikers who want to increase their distance while staying light and staying overnight, or for those who want to walk comfortably on short-term traverses
It's also convenient because you can remove the lid, and it's lightweight and adjustable in size, making it a great companion for backpackers. Also, the lightweight body makes it ideal for activities where the walking distance isn't too long, such as using it as an approach backpack for a day climbing trip. I tried it out and found it very convenient, as it allowed me to quickly access my gear
On the other hand, those who prefer simple backpacks may find the many parts cumbersome. Also, although it is very well made, it is a lightweight backpack, so if you are going on a long mountain hike or continuous climbing where your luggage will be heavy, a more robust model may be better. However, it is lightweight, comfortable to wear, and has many features, so if you use it in a way that suits its features, it is very easy to use
What would I use it for? What would I use it for? What kind of occasions would I use it for? It can show many different faces depending on how the user uses it. I think this is an attractive backpack with a wide range of possibilities
GRANITE GEAR NIMBUS TRACE ACCESS 60
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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