[A genuine, self-funded review] Can you enjoy Japan's mountains all year round with just this one backpack? The PAAGOWORKS ZENN 35 pioneers a new form of "modular backpack" [Hands-on review]

There are a huge number of different types of activities that come to mind, such as mountain climbing, hiking, trail running, fastpacking, river climbing, climbing, skiing, snowboarding, and mountain biking, and a backpack is a must-have for any of these activities. There are specialized backpacks for enjoying each type of activity, but as far as I can remember, there has never been a backpack that can be used for all of these activities.

Using one piece of equipment for multiple activities with different tendencies inevitably has some limitations, resulting in incomplete equipment, and in many cases, equipment specialized for one activity is easier to use. Personally, I have multiple backpacks, one for mountain climbing and one for snowboarding, and I use different ones depending on the activity.

It would be a dream if there was a single backpack that could be used for all activities. The ZENN series from PAAGOWORKS

ZENN 35 backpack from the ZENN series, which has a modular design that gives it a sense of boundless potential, for a variety of activities, from day hikes to stream fishing and camping, and here's my review. It's not just for those looking for a lightweight backpack, but also for those who are dissatisfied with lightweight backpacks, as well as those who want to go faster and farther, those who go into the mountains in any season, and those who want to explore Japan's mountainous regions.

Main features of PAAGOWORKS ZENN 35

The ZENN 35 is a modular backpack designed for optimal use in Japan's modern mountains. Its main fabric is Extreema Grid Nylon, a high-molecular-weight polyethylene fiber, providing a perfect balance of lightness and strength. The bottom is made of even stronger ECOPAK, providing lightweight durability. Its 35L capacity and roll-top construction feature removable front and side pockets on both sides. A convenient top pocket is located at the top of the backpack for storing small items, and a zipper on the side allows easy access to the main compartment.

The removable shoulder harness is designed to be wide, distributing the load evenly and reducing strain on the shoulders. The shoulder straps have pockets on both sides, allowing you to store essentials while on the move. The Velcro back adjustment mechanism allows for continuous adjustment from 44 to 54 cm in length, and the pack can also be used as a sub-pack by attaching it to the removable front pocket. It can be easily washed and kept clean even when it gets dirty with sweat.

This backpack features a padded hip belt, a top stabilizer that pulls the backpack closer to your body, and a chest belt that distributes the weight evenly, making it stable and comfortable to carry.

Favorite points

• Adjustable shoulder harness and high center of gravity design for comfortable carrying
• Capacity that can cover everything from mountain huts to tents
• High expandability and ease of arrangement to compensate for insufficient capacity
• Features such as side access, top pockets, and shoulder pockets are designed for ease of use.
• The front pocket transforms into a convenient sub-pack for peak hunting from the tent site.

Interesting points

• The weight distribution ability is superior to that of a full-scale mountaineering backpack. For lightweight hikers
• It would have been better if it had a function that could accommodate hydration
• The belt at the top of the backpack is positioned to interfere with opening and closing the pockets

Main Specifications and ratings

Detailed reviews tried in real field

Pargo Works is a brand that has already produced classic backpacks such as the BUDDY series and the RUSH series. I have been using the BUDDY for over five years, and it is my favorite backpack of all the ones I have used so far (and it is still in progress).

Based on my experience using BUDDY, I have been using ZENN in various fields over the course of several months, including Tanzawa, Chichibu, Oze, and the Northern Alps, so I will be reviewing it right away.

Comfort and ease of carrying: Adjustable shoulder harness, high center of gravity design, and structure that allows the backpack to be pulled close to the body for a comfortable carrying experience

the ZENN 35 was how comfortable it was to wear. The BUDDY 33 is also a very comfortable backpack, but I felt that this one was even more comfortable.

Stepless back adjustment possible with Velcro

One of the biggest differences from the BUDDY and one of the factors that makes it easier to carry is the adjustable back length. The ZENN 35 has a removable Velcro back adjustment mechanism that allows you to continuously adjust the back length from 44 to 54 cm to suit your height and body type. This, combined with the adjustment of the shoulder harness, allows you to find the perfect fit, and by adjusting the shoulder harness position, you can also position the hip belt to make it easier to distribute the weight securely across your waist.

The ZENN 35 felt extremely comfortable even when empty , but when I actually packed and wore it, it felt even more comfortable. The backpack's structure is designed to have a high center of gravity, so when packed, the center of gravity naturally becomes higher, and by using the top stabilizer, I was able to pull it tightly against my body, distributing the weight across my shoulders and hips, making it easier to carry than I had imagined.

The top stabilizer helps to pull the backpack tightly against your body

The BUDDY33 also has a high center of gravity design, but the shoulder straps are wider from the chest to the ribs, so the area on the shoulders is larger, distributing the weight more evenly and making it more comfortable to carry. I felt a big difference compared to UL backpacks, which are designed to be lightweight, and I think the ease of carrying the ZENN will be a stress reliever for anyone who experiences shoulder pain or discomfort when carrying a UL backpack.

Shoulder harness. Chest strap that slides up and down for quick position adjustment.

Although it is a frameless backpack, the foam padding on the back acts as a frame.

The back has a foam pad instead of a frame.

the ZENN 35 is 1000g. This weight is quite light for a mountain backpack. Many mountaineering backpacks, designed to carry several days' worth of food and equipment, have a frame to distribute the weight evenly when packed. While this provides stability, the frame also makes the backpack heavier. However, the ZENN 35 has a foam pad instead of a frame. The approximately 5mm thick, tri-folded padding, while not as robust as a frame, still provides increased stability when packed, making this a lightweight backpack with a high level of stability.

By the way, this foam pad measures 69 x 52cm when unfolded. Because it is thin, it is quite difficult to use as a standalone sleeping mat, but it can be used to boost insulation in cold weather or to protect an air mattress.

Many backpacks designed with lightness as their top priority don't offer adjustable torso length, and some prioritize carrying the necessary equipment over comfort. Many models eliminate features like top stabilizers and hip belts to distribute the weight to the waist in order to reduce weight, and backpacks that have been streamlined to the bare minimum prioritize lightness by sacrificing some aspects of "ease of carrying and comfort." The ZENN 35 backpack that takes a UL backpack and strips it down to the bare essentials, adding the necessary features and parts for comfortable carrying. I felt it was a backpack that didn't compromise on comfort while still being lightweight.

The weight distribution ability is superior to that of a full-scale mountaineering backpack. For lightweight hikers

The ZENN 35 can be adjusted to fit your body and is comfortable to wear , but its load distribution ability and shoulder pad cushioning are inferior to those of serious mountaineering backpacks designed to carry heavy loads.

After several field tests, I felt the ZENN 35 was a pack weight of around 10-12kg. When actually carrying more than 12kg for long periods of time, I found that the shoulder straps and hip belt needed to be a little more cushioned, and I was also concerned about the strain on my shoulders. I felt the ZENN 35 was a backpack designed to be comfortable to carry while keeping the equipment as light as possible. Personally, if you plan to carry heavy loads of more than 12kg, I recommend a backpack with a sturdy frame and highly cushioned shoulder straps and hip belt.

Versatility and expandability: Capacity that can cover everything from mountain huts to tents, and high expandability and ease of arrangement to compensate for insufficient capacity

The ZENN 35 has a 30L main compartment and a 5L front pocket for a total capacity of 35L. This is a rough guideline, but it's enough capacity to pack gear for mountain hut stays or short-term tent camping in the summer. When camping in a tent, you'll need to choose lightweight, compact gear, but it also has the potential to be highly expandable to make up for a lack of capacity.

The top of the backpack has straps that allow you to attach a closed-cell mat or stuff sack to the outside. By attaching a closed-cell mat, which is one of the larger pieces of equipment, to the outside of the backpack, you can free up a lot of storage space inside the backpack. Additionally, the ZENN 35 has loops throughout for bungee cords, allowing you to attach a mat to the bottom of the backpack.

You can also attach the mat to the bottom of the backpack using bungee cords.

Overall, it's a highly expandable backpack, but if I had to say something, I'd prefer if the roll-top streamer was a little longer. Backpacks with longer streamers offer a wider range of expandable capacity, making them easier to carry when starting out with lots of food and other supplies. In comparison, the ZENN 35 's streamer felt shorter.

The front pocket transforms into a sub-pack, making it convenient for peak hunting from the tent site.

In Japan's mountainous regions, such as the Northern Alps, and in high-altitude areas, there are mountain huts and tent sites near the peaks, and it is not uncommon to use these as bases for summit attacks. It is not uncommon to head to the summit lighter by leaving unnecessary equipment behind at these huts and tent sites, and a sub-pack is extremely useful in such situations. The ZENN 35 can be worn as a 5L sub-pack by attaching the removable shoulder harness to the front pocket.

What sets this pack apart from other sub-packs on the market is that it's comfortable to wear. Many sub-packs are lightweight and compact, prioritizing portability, and as a result, many models have poor backpack functionality. Carrying even a light load with such a sub-pack can dig into your shoulders and cause pain, but the ZENN 35 's sturdy shoulder harness makes it extremely comfortable to wear. It's also comfortable when heading from the tent site to the summit.

This shoulder harness uses parts that can be attached and detached with one touch, making it extremely easy to attach when used as a sub-pack, which was a great feature for someone like me who hates to bother with things. Even with a multi-functional backpack, if it's difficult to use or has functions that require a lot of effort, you may end up not using it, so the ease of attachment and detachment and other high levels of operability have really been well thought out.

Modular design allows you to add or subtract functions as needed. High versatility with additional accessories

Modular design with removable parts

Compared to many backpacks on the market, the ZENN series is unique and perhaps its greatest appeal is its modular design. The ZENN 35 's shoulder harness, front pockets, and even the hip belt can be removed, allowing you to add or remove features as needed. While there are lightweight backpacks that are stripped down to the bare minimum and backpacks that come with more features than necessary, a backpack that allows you to add or remove these is a novel idea, and for those who enjoy outdoor activities that transcend genre boundaries, this versatility is perhaps exactly what they're looking for.

For example, for UL-oriented hikers who prioritize weight reduction, a lighter base weight may mean no need for a hip belt. In such cases, removing the hip belt will reduce the weight by 130g, and eliminating unnecessary features will simplify the pack. Competitors to the ZENN series include UL backpacks, of course, but also backpacks specialized for fastpacking and backpacks for trail running.

The biggest difference between UL backpacks that are designed to be lightweight is that the ZENN is not just for hikers looking for UL, but also for runs and hikes. The ZENN is not just light, but also has a design that pulls it close to the body and has a high center of gravity, and by using an optional running harness, it can also be used in situations where speed is required.

The front pocket can also be removed for day hikes and can be used as a 30L backpack.

Front pocket removed

The ZENN's modular design allows for adding or subtracting features, allowing it to be tailored to the hiker's needs, level, and field, making it a much more versatile backpack than its competitors on the market. The shoulder harness and hip belt, which tend to get dirty easily from sweat, can be removed and easily washed, making them easy to keep clean. Furthermore, according to the official website, snow gear attachments and fast-packing harnesses are also in development, so there's hope for the future.

Storage and functionality: Side access, top pocket, shoulder pocket, and other storage options are designed for ease of use.

The ZENN 35 has side access, making it easy to take things in and out of the main compartment while on the move. Roll-top backpacks require you to undo the top strap and unfold the windsock to access them from the top, which can be a hassle, but side access eliminates that hassle and makes it easy to take out items.

Side access is available from the top when the top roll-top is open, but when the top roll-top is closed, you can access it using the zipper at the bottom.

Side access zipper for easy access

The side pockets on both sides of the backpack are large enough to hold one 1L water bottle and two 500ml water bottles, for a total capacity of about 3L. The does not have a hole for attaching a hydration pack, so you'll basically only be able to use a bottle. The side pockets have slits on the side that allow easy access even while wearing the backpack, making it easy to take bottles in and out while on the move .

The pockets on the left and right shoulder straps are made of power mesh and are highly stretchable, with gussets that can hold 500ml PET bottles. Because they are pocket-shaped, bottles larger than 500ml will stick out, so the size of the bottles that can be used is limited, but there is still room to store a smartphone, so it was convenient for storing snacks and other items.

Summary: A lightweight and comfortable base with a modular design that promises great things. With ZENN, you can enjoy the mountains of Japan all year round.

the ZENN 35 from Pargo Works . As a BUDDY user, I had high expectations the ZENN 35 , and it turned out to be a backpack with boundless potential. The ZENN series is modular. At the time of my testing, only the running harness was available, and there are currently no accessories for other activities such as snow activities, trail running, or stream fishing. However, its modular design only heightens expectations for future accessory releases. Personally, I'm looking forward to the arrival of shoulder pads that can withstand the heavy loads of carrying heavy loads, such as gear for snowy mountains, and pockets specifically designed for stream fishing.

I felt that the ZENN 35 was the perfect backpack for those who are not only looking for lightness, but also comfort and versatility. Carry the ZENN 35 on and walk lightly and comfortably through the mountains of Japan!

Written by: Yosuke.C

People who act with just one backpack with the motto of "as light as possible" so that they don't get inconvenient.

From spring to autumn, I chase after char deep in the mountains and go fishing in the mountain stream. We walked the mountains in search of spectacular views that cannot be seen from the ground. Camping to be healed by the bonfire. Snowboarding is a floating mountain with a mountain of silver.

A freelance writer who has been enjoying the outdoors for over 20 years and enjoying the outdoors in his own way all year round. Based on my experience writing articles for more than dozens of outdoor web media, I will be sharing my own experiences and tools that I have been using.

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