NEMO has done it again. How has their first full-scale mountain backpack, the Persist™ 45L Endless Promise®, set a new standard for mountain backpacks? [Hands-on Review]

We only bring to market products that we believe "promise an experience that is clearly more advanced than existing products."——。

NEMO, a leading East Coast outdoor manufacturer that started out making tents and has always pursued the best products in its own way, has maintained this design philosophy since its founding.This philosophy is backed up by a number of innovative products, such as its first air tube tent , the spoon-shaped sleeping bag perfect for side sleepers , and the reclining and rocking chair , and these have helped NEMO to become one of the top brands in North America.

They never blindly accept conventional wisdom in order to create better products, and are not afraid to go against trends; they simply continue to pursue what they believe is good. I have nothing but respect for them, and they are one of the brands I personally look forward to the most when it comes to new releases.

Now, NEMO has finally developed a backpack for serious mountain activities Persist™ Endless Promise® (hereafter referred to as Persist) , which we will introduce here.

At first glance, it looks no different from a conventional backpack, but once you open it, you'll see a whole host of innovative and rational ingenuity that takes a completely different approach, from the materials to the back system and even the smallest parts.

I've been using it in a variety of situations for several months this spring and summer, and I've had a lot of fun discovering these unique perspectives.

Key Features of the NEMO Persist™ Men's 45L Endless Promise® Backpack

The NEMO Persist™ Men's 45L Endless Promise® is a durable, comfortable, and practical mountain backpack designed for challenging mountain activities in harsh natural environments. It features innovative, proprietary materials, CERO™ CCubed™ cushioning offers breathability, quick drying, and excellent cushioning . It offers superior strength and comfort compared to competitors. In terms of storage, it features a variety of convenient storage options, including the basic pockets and attachments required for a mountaineering backpack, as well as direct-access zippers for easy access and a multipurpose strap system for multi-purpose use. These high-quality features, combined with versatile and expandable storage, make it suitable for a wide range of activities, including general mountaineering and hiking throughout the year, as well as river climbing, rock climbing approaches, and ski mountaineering, even during the snowy season.

Favorite points

• Back pad with soft cushioning and excellent breathability and quick drying
• A highly stable suspension system with a supportive internal frame
• Water-resistant and durable fabric
• Adjustable back for a secure fit to a wide range of body types
• The bag offers excellent storage capacity with pockets and attachments scattered throughout, direct access to the main compartment, and a multi-purpose strap system for emergencies.
• Buckles designed to allow for emergency repairs in the unlikely event of damage, and are designed to handle a variety of situations that may occur in the field.
• Highly versatile, it can handle any tough activity, from hiking to traverses, alpine climbing, stream climbing, bushwhacking, and backcountry skiing.
• Sustainably-conscious materials are used, including 100% recyclable materials

Interesting points

• The weight and durability are a bit too much for speed hikers or casual hikers who only hike moderate trails.
• price

*For this review, we tested the 45 liter model.

Main Specifications and ratings

Detailed review

Toughness and durability: Proprietary fabric with durability and weather resistance to withstand Japan's harsh mountain environment

NEMO is known for its thorough commitment to high quality and practicality, and the first thing to note about this ``first'' full-scale mountain backpack is the proprietary fabric that fully reflects this philosophy and shows NEMO's ``seriousness.''

is CERO™ fabric," which is made primarily from 100% recycled PET durability and weather resistance , meeting the most stringent demands. The area envisioned for this concept Japan's diverse and sometimes harsh mountain environment . It's no wonder it has all the features I wanted.

Now that you mention it, Japan's mountains are exposed to some of the most diverse and severe conditions in the world, across the four seasons and regions, with a diverse topography ranging from gentle forests to steep rocky ridges, thickly wooded areas, and river crossings, as well as a wide variety of weather conditions, including high temperatures and humidity, rainy seasons, typhoons, and heavy snowfall. In other words, there's no way that a Persist, which was designed with Japan's tough mountains in mind, wouldn't suit us.

Excellent tear strength and abrasion resistance

CERO™ fabric is its excellent tear strength and abrasion resistance. Lightweight and flexible, yet firm and resilient, its extraordinary toughness is apparent just by touching it. In the field, I rubbed it against sharp rocks and tree branches, and it showed no signs of damage. This meant I could move around without worrying about scraping or scratching my backpack, even when roughly placing it on the ground or climbing through the undergrowth of a stream.

Moreover, because this fabric is primarily made from PET, being inherently less susceptible to hydrolysis than typical polyurethane (PU) waterproof coatings . I haven't used it for many years yet, so I can't actually confirm this, but this strength and high durability will extend the product's lifespan and reduce the frequency of replacement, ultimately leading to high cost performance. As someone who has had the experience of the lining falling apart after a few years, I'm very much looking forward to this.

Highly water-resistant and water-repellent, so you can use it without a pack cover

The CERO™ fabric but also offers excellent protection against unexpected rain and water. It's said up to 20 times more waterproof than a standard backpack, meaning you can continue hiking in the rain all day without hesitation.

However, since the number "20 times more waterproof than normal" doesn't really tell you what level it is, I tried running a shower over it for a certain period of time (about 10-15 minutes). The results showed that the water didn't soak in or darken the fabric, and the fabric generally just repelled water, shedding it like a glove (see photo below). It's simply amazing that a polyester fabric, rather than something like Dyneema, can be this waterproof.

I ran the backpack shower for over 10 minutes, but the fabric continued to repel water without getting soaked.

However, of course, the seams are not taped, so it is not completely waterproof. However, it performs well enough that I think it will be fine for most mountain trips even without a pack cover, so I am very satisfied with the waterproof and water-repellent properties. *If you are still concerned, use a cover or an inner dry bag.

Comfort and stability: An eye-opening back system that combines outstanding breathability and a comfortable fit

Of all the items that NEMO has produced to date, I have never seen a product that compromised on comfort. The Persist is no exception, and it has achieved a comfortable carrying experience with a new approach that overturns the conventional wisdom of backpacks.

An innovative back pad that combines CCubed™ cushioning for a fluffy, voluminous feel with exceptional breathability and the DryWing™ back panel design for quick drying.

the CERO™ fabric protects the backpack from damage and wind and rain, the proprietary CCubed™ , helps to reduce various discomforts that can occur during mountain activities throughout the year.

CCubed™ cushioning is positioned around the back, shoulders, and hips, and extends to the sides of the back thanks to the unique DryWing™ backpanel design.

The CCubed™ cushion is a porous, three-dimensional mesh pad with a structure that contains so much air that 97% of its volume is made up of air. When you place your finger on it, it feels very soft and elastic, and is said to have superior breathability and moisture-wicking properties compared to conventional PU foam and EVA foam.

When I put my luggage inside and put it on, I could definitely feel the luxurious softness on my back, shoulders, and waist, while the whole body was gently wrapped around me. The balance of cushioning and resilience is good, so it can withstand heavy weights, and there is no feeling of the shoulder harness digging into my shoulders. The cushioning did not wear out even after being on the move for a long time.

What's more, the padding, which should have absorbed a lot of sweat during long walks, didn't feel sticky at all, and instead absorbed the sweat from the skin and dispersed it to the outside. The three-dimensional mesh structure quickly absorbs sweat away from the skin, providing a quick-drying effect and a cooling effect through evaporative cooling, keeping you dry and comfortable.

This outstanding breathability and quick-drying properties are further enhanced by the DryWing™ back panel (photo below), which extends like wings on both sides of the back panel.

The design, in which the cushion on the back somehow extends slightly out to the sides, may look a little strange at first glance, but once you understand why, it's actually quite clever.

The DryWing™ backpanel works the CCubed™ cushioning and spreading it to the drier wings on either side through natural capillary action, allowing moisture to evaporate continuously and smoothly.

I actually wore it on a trek this hot summer, and naturally, I started to sweat soon after I started walking, but the back panel continuously absorbed the sweat and pulled it away from my body, preventing the discomfort of stuffiness and overheating on my back while providing maximum drying effect. That sustained dryness was a pleasant feeling I'd never experienced before.

To give you an idea of ​​how revolutionary this is, until now, backpacks with a gap in the back, known as a "back ventilation structure," were the mainstream for highly breathable and quick-drying backpacks, but in that case, there was an unavoidable trade-off between center of gravity stability and ease of packing. On the other hand, a close-fitting back naturally increases stability, but you have to sacrifice breathability in the back.

The Persist overcomes this contradiction. Its " CCubed™ cushioning + DryWing™ back panel " essentially combines the best of both a back ventilation structure and a close-fitting back. It's no wonder it was designed with Japan's harsh environment in mind. The Persist keeps your back comfortable, which in turn reduces discomfort and the risk of chills caused by sweat, helping you enjoy activities more safely and enjoyably. I'm convinced it's perfect for mountain climbing in Japan's hot and humid summers.

A stable back frame structure that effectively distributes the load and reduces fatigue even during long periods of activity

The back of the bag has an internal frame structure with a lightweight steel outer frame that combines flexibility and rigidity, and it does not sag even when packed to the brim.It transfers the weight firmly to your waist, giving you a sense of security and comfort when carrying it.

The hip belt has just the right amount of padding, neither too thick nor too thin, to securely wrap around your hips. This thickness is just right for a medium-volume pack like the Persist, as a relatively flexible hip belt provides a better fit and improves load distribution.

What's unique about the buckle is that it fastens and tightens via a metal buckle that passes through a plastic receiver located on the left side, rather than in the center like a typical hip belt (reminiscent of a snow pack or alpine backpack).

The lightweight metal buckle is passed through the receiver and when tension is applied, it locks into place with a click.

It may take some time for first-time users to get used to it, but it has the advantage of being lighter and less likely to break than other buckles.It also has no disadvantages such as being difficult to tighten or loosening easily, so once you get used to it, there are no problems at all.

The unique buckle has a loop on the opposite side, allowing the strap to be tightened forward, making it easy to operate.

The back length adjustment system allows for a wide range of lengths, allowing for a perfect fit to suit your body type. Adjustment is easy: pull up the shoulder yokes, secured with Velcro, to lengthen the torso, or pull down to shorten it.

The wide, moderately soft shoulder straps distribute the load evenly, and the surface is equipped with mesh fabric, which (we imagine) increases the surface area and improves moisture dissipation. There are also load lifters securely attached to the shoulders, so you don't have to worry about the backpack shaking even when carrying a heavy load.

Thanks to the suspension system, which combines a stable back frame, hip belt, and load lifters, the pack provided ample support even when fully loaded to its 45-liter capacity.

Storage and Usability: Timeless, smart storage solutions focused on ease of use and versatility

If you've ever used a NEMO tent and experienced its attention to detail and ease of use, you'll expect the same level of practicality in terms of storage from this pack, and you'd be right.

Main storage

The main storage compartment, which has a rain cover, has a drawstring that can be opened and closed with one action, and a removable compression strap. The compression strap is convenient for compressing your luggage or for holding a rope or mat, but it's not always necessary, so I personally often leave it out for normal mountain climbing. This "you can remove it if necessary" feature is a nice touch.

Even with the rain cover closed, the direct-access side zipper located vertically on the right side allows for quick access to the contents inside. This zipper is often omitted on lightweight backpacks, but personally, it is an important part that I cannot compromise on. The Persist is equipped with it.

The main compartment has a sleeve for storing a hydration reservoir, and it also has ports on both sides for passing a tube through the front.

Top lid (rain cover) storage

The top lid is a floating type that is not sewn to the main body, and can be moved up and down over a wide range. This allows you to adjust the position of the lid even when the load is very heavy, and is also useful for carrying bulky items that do not fit in the backpack, such as ropes or mats, between the lid and the body.

The rain cover pocket is a standard, spacious size and can hold valuables, snacks, hats, gloves, and other items you want to access quickly.

The zip pocket on the underside of the rain cover has a key clip inside, making it ideal for storing keys, valuables, toilet and first aid supplies, etc.

Exterior storage

In addition to the main compartment and rain cover, there are a total of seven pockets on the outside. They are evenly distributed in almost every conceivable location: one on the front, two on the sides, two on the hip belt, and two on the shoulder straps, so there was never a feeling that there weren't enough pockets.

First, there is the front pocket with a long vertical zipper located at the front of the pack. It has a slight gusset and can surprisingly hold bulky items.

If your pack were only intended for hiking, a lightweight mesh stretch pocket would be the standard, but the activities this pack covers are geared towards all-season adventures. Therefore, even at the expense of some weight, the pockets are protected by durable CERO™ fabric and secure zippers. This allows you to store not only standard rain gear, winter clothing, hats, gloves, and snacks, but also crampons and an emergency kit (shovel and probe) that you'll need to access quickly when climbing snowy mountains or skiing (see photo below).

Next, on the sides, there are gusseted pockets on both sides made of durable, stretchy fabric.

It's deep and wide enough to fit a 1L Nalgene bottle, and has a removable, adjustable compression strap at the top so you can secure longer items.

The zippered hip belt pockets have a very large mesh pocket on the left side that can easily fit a map or even a large smartphone. On the opposite right side, there's a hidden, expandable mesh bottle holder (see photo below), which is exactly what you'd expect. I was worried about the aforementioned side pockets making it difficult to access bottles, but I see why. It can fit everything from a 500ml PET bottle to a Nalgene bottle, and I find it extremely useful for staying hydrated while on the move without having to take the pack off.

Finally, the shoulder straps have identical gusseted zippered compartments on both sides, perfect for storing small items like smartphones, sunglasses, sweat wipes, and gels. The pocket gussets are made of durable mesh material, ensuring breathability. The slightly odd shape makes it less suitable for carrying soft flasks, like a running vest.

The versatile strap system allows you to carry any gear in a variety of ways.

`Multipurpose Strap System, an excellent and highly flexible attachment system designed for a variety of activities .

This pack comes standard with three removable compression straps and two universal straps with hooks (orange). By connecting these to the two daisy chains on the front left and right of the pack, or to the loops scattered throughout, you can secure various gear according to your needs. This is a very well-designed design.

Two durable, stretchy universal straps allow you to secure a variety of items to suit the occasion.

What impressed me most was that this eliminates the "attachments that are just attached even though they are not used." If you don't need them, you can just remove them. On the other hand, if you have a lot of luggage, by making the most of this, I realized that it is possible to carry more luggage than the pack can hold. It eliminates waste while still being expandable if necessary, so there is nothing to complain about.

For example, the bottom of the pack has ski straps, as well as compression straps to secure the tent and mattress.

The bottom has dual ice axe loops for carrying ice axes or trekking poles, and can be used in conjunction with the side straps to carry poles.

Alternatively, you can use the loops on the four corners of the top lid to attach a sleeping bag, tent, mattress, etc. You can also attach anything you like to any place you like, and of course you can add your own straps, so the possibilities are endless, limited only by your imagination.

Buckles and other parts designed with breakage in mind

One last thing I'd like to mention is that all of the Persist parts are designed with a "pattern that takes into consideration ease of repair," which is also a nice touch.

For example, if a buckle breaks, it's easy to temporarily fix the broken part with a substitute. On a normal backpack, the plastic buckles are usually "sewn" to the straps, but on the Persist, these buckles are not sewn to the straps at all, but are instead fastened by passing them through the strap loops.

This way, if the buckle breaks, for example, if you step on it or hit it hard, you can use the strap loop as a first aid fix.

What's more, you don't have to send the entire backpack to the manufacturer to have replacement parts sewn in; you can just order the parts yourself and re-thread them through the loops to complete the replacement. How user-friendly! Incidentally, the parts are made only from easily recyclable materials, and the design is also sustainable...nothing is overlooked.

Summary: This is the most surprising and impressive thing I've seen in a while. The high level of versatility that makes it practical for any activity all year round is simply amazing.

NEMO Persist Men's Endless Promise 45L Black

created by Rinker

Nemo

¥34,320 (As of 2025/08/22 06:30:23, according to Amazon - details)

• Amazon
• Rakuten Market
• Yahoo Shopping

NEMO Men's Persist 30L Endless Promise 30L Black

created by Rinker

Nemo

¥38,500 (As of 2025/08/22 06:30:24, according to Amazon - details)

• Amazon
• Rakuten Market
• Yahoo Shopping

The NEMO Persist 45L was the backpack that surprised and impressed me the most recently. It has the high safety performance, such as durability and load stability, required for a mountaineering backpack, while being lightweight enough, and it also has excellent comfort and ease of use that other models do not have.

Above all, its many original yet rational features and meticulous attention to detail make it hard to believe that this is a first-of-its-kind mountain backpack, and it's no exaggeration to say that it's at the cutting edge of mountaineering backpacks. The protective fabric, the comfort of the back system, and the smart storage system are all of such high quality that we hope they will become the standard for future backpacks.

If I had to point out a drawback, or rather a point of caution, it would be that for people who only do the popular long trail and easy hiking activities, this backpack is overkill in terms of durability and functionality, and a more streamlined, lighter model would be more suitable.

However, in most cases, not many people are willing to make such a decision from the start. Even if you are thinking of starting with short hikes, if you have even a slight desire to eventually climb a mountain in the Alps, this pack is well worth the money.

Another appealing feature of this model is that it can do everything. If you're looking for a pack that can do everything, this is the one to go for.

With the Persist equipped with the performance and functionality to be used in all kinds of adventures throughout the four seasons, from hiking to mountain climbing, stream climbing, variation routes, winter mountain climbing, and backcountry, I'm looking forward to thinking about where I'll take it as autumn and winter approaches. Where will I go next with this partner that will show me completely new scenery?

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