Rab has been expanding its lineup for light and fast mountain activities recently , and has released a lightweight backpack that can only be described as dangerous this season. Rab Muon 50 (Mahata Rab Muon 40 , which is light, comfortable, safe, and convenient, and has a high level of fulfillment that you wouldn't expect from a lightweight backpack , so we'll give you a review.
table of contents
- Key Features of the Rab Muon 50 Backpack
- Main Specifications and ratings
- Detailed review
- Materials, weight and durability: Light and tough fabric containing "Spectra® Fiber," an ultra-lightweight, highly durable fiber that is also used for military use.
- Comfort and stability: Harness structure that promises a fit that fits against the body and excellent stability
- Storage and ease of use: It's never "the bare minimum required." Abundant storage and convenient parts that don't make you feel any inconvenience
- Summary: Lightweight, strength, comfort, ease of use, no compromises at all, a masterpiece of fast packing backpack
Key Features of the Rab Muon 50 Backpack
The Rab Muon 50 is a large lightweight backpack (size 40L in the lineup) that keeps the durability and comfortable to carry without compromising the comfort required for backpacking to the minimum. Made from Spectra® ripstop fabric that is lightweight, highly durable, and UV resistant. Rab's unique rear system, "TRI-FLEX™ Carry System," has built-in aluminum frame and is breathable and cushioned, providing a comfortable carrying experience and excellent stability. It features a wide variety of attachments, including a large front stash pocket and a side stash pocket that can be accessed without luggage, and is lightweight yet convenient for many storage spaces. Designed for long-distance high-speed travel the Muon 50 all the necessary elements of hikers who prioritize lightness, such as fast packing, long-distance through-hiking, overnight trips, and weekend mountain climbing, at a high level, providing a comfortable feel that overturns the conventional wisdom of lightweight backpacks.
Favorite points
- Cushioning, breathability, fit, load resistance, stability, all of which are high-class carrying comfort
- It's light weight that is hard to imagine from the premium feel to carry.
- Lightweight and strong fabric material
- Easy to access and excellent storage capacity side stash pocket
- Functional storage that makes it easy to take out all kinds of items, such as hydration, trekking poles, tents, mats, and small items, making it convenient to pack.
- Prices that are not too expensive
Interesting points
- The outer front and side stash pockets have loose openings so they cannot be closed tightly.
- No direct access to main storage
- Can't adjust the size of the back
Main Specifications and ratings
| Item name | Rab Muon50 Backpack |
|---|---|
| capacity | Approximately 50 liters |
| Actual measured weight | 995 g |
| material |
|
| Model for women (pearls) | Yes (Muon 50 ND) |
| Size/Length of the back | 48 cm |
| Rear panel | TRI-FLEX™ Carry System |
| Maximum recommended load capacity | ― |
| Hydration sleeve | ◯ |
| Main Access | Rain cover type |
| Rain cover | × |
| Pockets, attachments, parts |
|
| Outdoor Gearzine Review | |
| Comfort | ★★★★★ |
| Stability | ★★★★★ |
| Storageability | ★★★★☆ |
| Functionality (ease of use) | ★★★★★ |
| Durability | ★★★★☆ |
| weight | ★★★☆☆ |
| Extensibility (customization) | ★★★★☆ |
Detailed review
Materials, weight and durability: Light and tough fabric containing "Spectra® Fiber," an ultra-lightweight, highly durable fiber that is also used for military use.
The fabric used in the Muon 50
Spectra® fiber developed by Honeywell . It is said to be "one of the world's most powerful and lightweight materials," and is a high-strength fiber that is "15 times stronger than steel" by weight. It is also said that it is 40% stronger than aramid fibers, which are famous for its strong fibers, but to be honest, many people probably don't really understand it. However, if you hear that it is also used in military-use bulletproof vests, helmets, and armored vehicles in the United States, you will be able to understand the powerful strength of this new material.
This backpack actually has no sign of fuzzing on the smooth surface, no sign of fuzzing on the surface, no scratches, and will not tremble in the area where it is used for normal mountain climbing. It is also resistant to dirt and is resistant to UV rays. There is a video of that in the official video below, so please be aware of it.
Although it is light enough to float in water, it has excellent abrasion resistance, flexibility, fatigue resistance, UV resistance, and cutting resistance, and is resistant to temperature changes, making Muon both durable and durable that can be used in harsh fields without worrying about breakage, while being thin and light that does not interfere with light movement.
Incidentally, the 50 liter size and nominal weight of 995 g is not that light in the context of a full-fledged ultralight, so it may be disappointing if you want a stoic lightness. For Rab, this has been woven into it from the beginning, meaning that "lightness is an essential element, like a fast packing backpack, but what's important is not just the ultimate lightness that sacrifices everything, but the overall practical lightness, including strength, comfort and ease of use."
Comfort and stability: Harness structure that promises a fit that fits against the body and excellent stability
A common backpack that puts lightness at the forefront is that it is certainly lighter as a result of extremely thinning down, but since it is not intended to carry heavy loads in the first place, it is not designed to accommodate the load in the appropriate place (or special tips and experience required to make the weight as less noticeable as possible). Although it has been getting fewer these days, it is true that many people have to sacrifice the comfort of carrying in exchange for lightness.
There have been many packs that were disappointed when carrying them on their backs (even though they look good), but Muon was different. Despite being a lightweight backpack, the sturdy back structure and moderate cushioning and ventilation back make it comfortable and less tiring, and even heavy luggage are stable and less likely to shake. Just because it was light, it never meant "holding the comfort of carrying it on your back." Needless to say, the secret to this overwhelming sense of trust is TRI-FLEX™ Carry System
The U-shaped aluminum frame and horizontal frame are fused together, providing a rigid vertical and horizontal structure
The backpack is equipped with a removable tubular aluminum frame with a shoulder turn and wider, leading to a U-shaped shape at the bottom (photo below). This frame serves as a support for the pack and properly transmits load to the hip belt, reducing the burden on the shoulders and brings the center of gravity closer to the body.
In addition to this, there is an inde-removable horizontal frame built into the center of the back panel (this is what makes Rab's unique feature different from other packs). This horizontal frame further reinforces load resistance, and does not curl up the back with luggage to prevent it from losing your carrying experience (photo below).
The back is placed with fast-drying pads that curve along the lines of your body, making them flat and feel like they're sticking to your back (photo below).
The shoulder harness is made of 3D mesh that is highly breathable and quick-drying in the areas around the shoulders that are prone to sweat, and the highly elastic padded shoulder harness that can withstand heavy loads, making it so firm and comfortable that you don't feel like a lightweight backpack (photo below).
The shoulder harness also has a structure in which the left and right straps are connected by a yoke, making it even better for load distribution and the base of the strap is also increased. Naturally, there is a load lifter on the shoulders, which brings the center of gravity closer to your body and prevents shaking at the top (photo below).
Vest-shaped shoulder straps are convenient and have a good idea of distribution of loads
The shoulder strap is a wide mesh pocket and uses a so-called "vest-shaped" inspired by trail running (photo below). Recently, it has become less common for high-capacity fast packing models, but from experience, if you're not careful, it may be that the poor strap will not affect comfort by digging into the shoulder, and if you don't think about it carefully, it can become a double-edged sword. However, in this respect, the Muon 50 has a sturdy back structure that properly conveys load to the waist and a comfortable and convenient chest with a high fit, making it an ideal marriage that doesn't show any disadvantages even when it's a vest type.
A waist harness with a reverse-retractable hip belt that fits around the pelvis with excellent stability
The quality is just astounding as it is, but the best part is the waist harness and hip belt, which combine stability and comfort, to the point of fascination.
The waist harness directly connected to the frame transmits the weight of the pack to the waist without escaping, and the three-dimensional mesh cushion is thin but has a minimum cushion, and the padding is firmly attached to the buttocks, where the weight is concentrated (photo below).
The hip belt that tightens the waist harness is connected to the stash pockets on both sides, which tightens the pack tightly, wrapping the pelvis around the sides (photo below).
Not only is it comfortable to tighten, but the pack does not twist or shake sideways, and the high stability is obvious when you carry it on your back. By the way, the hip belt puller is not a type that pulls outwards (hardly pulled), but a reverse type that pulls forward (easy to pull), making it easy to adjust.
Storage and ease of use: It's never "the bare minimum required." Abundant storage and convenient parts that don't make you feel any inconvenience
The Muon 50 has numerous pockets and attachments strategically placed for ease of access and efficiency.
Their richness is by no means something to underestimate, as "it's a lightweight backpack anyway," and in fact, they are almost equal to the average hiking backpack.
Moreover, it is not only rich in storage, but also smartly arranged so that it can be easily accessed when needed during activities, making it practical for fast packing purposes.
Main storage
the Muon 50 is a drawstring bag, just like a typical mountain climbing pack, and a single strap and a removable rain cover (approximately 10 liters) are placed on the entrance and exit, making it easy to open and close, making it easy to put on.
I think it would have been even better if there was a direct access zipper that allowed you to access the contents without opening the rain cover, but since there is plenty of external storage, I guess that's too much to want.
On the other hand, if we were to aim for lighter weight, I think a roll-top type would have been better. However, it is difficult to throw away the versatility of storing rain covers with large capacity packs, so this may be where people will judge each other. the Muon 40 one size smaller , this rain cover is completely omitted, and the entrance and exit are made to be roll-top, making it a lightweight backpack.
Furthermore, this is the only difference in specifications due to differences in capacity (the body size and construction are roughly the same), so if you are not particular about roll-top models, the 50-liter model is more convenient because it can accommodate a wider range of luggage (in that sense, I chose the 50-liter model).
Front and back pockets of rain cover
As mentioned above, the top of this pack comes with a rain cover with a large zipper pocket. This pocket has a large entrance and is easy to put in and take out, making it easy to use, and you can store various small items all at once without worrying about the size (photo below).
Furthermore, the security pocket with a key clip located on the back of the rain cover is made of mesh fabric, making it easy to see inside, and it may be easy to put in not only wallets and key chains, but also medical and emergency items that you want to take out immediately. This pocket, which I usually thought was less useful, has become much easier to use (photo below).
This rain cover and the strap for the rain cover are removable. In the end, the aluminum frame on the back can also be removed. The weight of the pack can also be customized to some extent according to the amount of luggage (photo below).
Large front and side stash pockets
The large stash pocket on the front is stretchy, yet the front is reinforced with durable Spectra® fiber, so despite its stretch, it is not easily teared and is designed to be safe. It can hold a lot of large items, from rain jackets to food, sandals, water bottles, filters, and garbage bags (photo below).
And my personal favorite is the side stash pockets on the left and right sides. This is also a hybrid structure made of stretchy mesh and Spectra® fiber, making it resistant to rubbing.
It was also large enough, and even after putting a Nalgene bottle and a 500ml plastic bottle there was still room. Furthermore, the entrances and exits are cut diagonally so you can access the bottle while standing, and the side straps can hold long items in place, making this a top pocket that usually meets all you need in the side pockets. (Photo below).
However, one thing that's convenient is that it really bothered me is that the entrances of both the front and side stash pockets are loosely made (default?), so although they are not noticeable when there are luggages, they open slightly sloppy when there are no luggages (small) (photo below). The side pockets in particular are loosely open, so before you know it, you'll probably get a lot of snow and other things inside.
However, as a relief, there is a compression drawcord inside the pocket, so the contents can be fixed to a certain extent using the cord. It is a blessing in the unfortunate situation that the things inside have not been spilled. However (as it was generally designed to be almost ideal), I'm a little disappointed that it would have been perfect if I had either tightened the elastic so that the mouth was tighter from the beginning, or passed through a drawstring.
Shoulder strap pocket
The best thing about the vest-type shoulder strap is that it allows for a wide, convenient pocket to be placed in this most accessible area. The Muon 50 's shoulder bag has mesh stretch pockets with zippers on both sides (photo below).
It has a very wide shape and capacity, including soft flasks, smartphones, gels and snacks, maps, compasses, sunscreen, and more, and has a zipper so you can store it safely and of course, quickly access it.
Plastic bottles are tough, but instead there are large side stash pockets on the left and right sides, so it's fine to put Plastic bottles on the side rather than here.
Trekking pole attachment
The external attachment for trekking poles has one removable cord lock on the front that is suitable for longer, telescopic trekking poles (photo below).
In addition, there are cord locks at the bottom of the left and right shoulder straps, including foldable ones, that allow you to hold trekking poles like samurai swords, allowing you to quickly put them in and take them out while you're on the move (photo below).
Hydration compatible
The hydration sleeves and clips, as well as the entrance and exit for the hydration hose are also firmly located inside the main storage (photo below).
Bungee cord loop
From the sides to the bottom (photo below) and at the top of the rain cover, there is a webbing ladder loop that allows carabiners, bungee cords, etc. to be passed through inconspicuously. It offers flexible arrangements such as adding attachments as needed, or hanging them from the carabiner when you want to walk while drying something slightly wet.
There are plenty of compression straps that can be adjusted to suit the amount of luggage
An ultra-lightweight compression strap (draw cord) is placed on the bottom, which tightens this item when there are fewer items to prevent the pack from shaking (and you can adjust this drawcord while carrying it on your back). This compression strap also functions as a storage unit, making it perfect for securing mattresses, tents, etc. (photo below).
Compression straps are also located on the sides when there are fewer luggages. This strap is well-made, allowing for wide compression in two directions, and also uses a smart buckle that allows you to tighten these two directions with a single buckle (photo below).
Summary: Lightweight, strength, comfort, ease of use, no compromises at all, a masterpiece of fast packing backpack
the Rab Muon 50 , which is not only light, is durable, has excellent comfort and functional storage, is a masterpiece that is outstandingly perfect and refined even among lightweight backpacks that have appeared like bamboo shoots after the rain due to the growing popularity of fast packing over the past few years. Of course, there were some things that bother me as mentioned in the main text, but most of them are trivial things that are not something that can't bear tolerant. However, you need to be aware that you cannot adjust the back, and unless you choose the size that suits you properly, you will not be able to achieve the ideal comfort. I was 176cm tall and fitted the regular model without any problems, but short men and women would be better off looking for a "ND" model.
From a weight and design perspective, it may not affect stoic UL hikers who aim to reduce weight to the limit, or hikers who want to enjoy the UL style, but I think it has the potential to be fully accepted by beginners in fast packing who want to enjoy long trails as an extension of mountain climbing and hiking, as well as a wide range of light and fast-loving hikers who value practicality and comfort. Incidentally, the price is also quite easy to get for a backpack of this type.
In any case, it's hard to find a lightweight backpack that has reached such a high level with all the functional elements. With this guy who can be trusted in all respects, I feel like I can comfortably overcome the tough, days-long journey of long trails.
