Lightweight, runnable, and easy to use. A fast-packing backpack perfect for hikers and runners. [Review: SALOMON OUT NIGHT 30+5]
Written by Outdoor Gearzine Editorial Department
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Bring your trusty companion and start fastpacking this year!
Even with a capacity of over 30 liters, it weighs just a few hundred grams. These incredibly light backpacks have become commonplace these days
However, in exchange for their lightness, many of these models had to sacrifice many aspects of comfort and usability, such as comfort when carrying, ease of running (stability), and ease of storage. For this reason, ultralight and fastpacking were, in a sense, the domain of people who had the financial means and stamina to tolerate the inconvenience and, conversely, find joy in tinkering with them, and in reality, were not open to everyone
Released this spring SALOMON the OUT NIGHT 30+5 is a fastpacking backpack designed with attention to detail that opens the door to fastpacking, which was previously reserved for a select few with good legs, and is now more accessible to beginners. This article will thoroughly review the backpack's specifications and actual usage impressions, down to the finest details. It's a must-read for hikers who want to walk more lightly without sacrificing comfort, runners who are starting to try mountain running, and everyone from beginners to veterans.
SALOMON OUT NIGHT 30+5 :
The SALOMON OUT NIGHT , the OUT series, was released in 2019. Its is designed for the OUT DAY the OUT WEEK (38+6L) for multi-night stays. Weighing approximately 756g, it's ideal for fast and light mountaineering styles like speed hiking and fastpacking, while its unique "Motion Fit" back system provides superior fit and mobility. Available in two sizes (S/M and M/L) and a women's version, it's designed to fit a wide range of body types. It also boasts exceptional storage capacity and functionality, with a front pocket made of stretch material, ample pockets for easy access to essentials, and a zippered lid for easy access without opening the rain cover. This model perfectly balances the performance required for speed hikers who want to go faster and further.
Recommended points
- A high level of fit that clings to the body at all times in a variety of situations
- Functional pocket attachments for high storage capacity
- Functionality derived from a running pack that allows you to move around without taking off the pack
Points of interest
- I would like a few more pockets
Item Appearance
front
back
Main specifications and evaluation
| item | Specifications and reviews |
|---|---|
| Official capacity (main unit) | 35L |
| official weight | 756g |
| Actual weight | 817g |
| material | Lining: 100% Polyester; Body insert: 11% Elastane, 89% Polyamide; Back insert: 100% Polyethylene; Pockets: 86% Polyamide, 14% Elastane; Back body: 100% Polyester; Body: 100% Polyamide; Body lining: 100% Polyamide |
| |
| Comfort | ★★★★★ |
| weight | ★★★★☆ |
| mobility | ★★★★★ |
| Functionality | ★★★☆☆ |
| Storage capacity | ★★★★☆ |
| comprehensive evaluation | ★★★★☆ |
Detailed Review
A high level of fit that clings to the body at all times in a variety of situations
The first thing that strikes you when you put it on is the tight fit, which is rare for a lightweight pack with a soft back. It also offers excellent mobility, even during intense movements like running. As a leading brand in the trail running field, it's no surprise that it offers high stability during runs, cultivated through its experience as a running bag. The secret to achieving this excellent fit is the innovative, proprietary "MOTION FIT™" harness system, which works in conjunction with the back panel
First, let's take a look at the back panel (photo below). It is sewn vertically down the center, with both sides moving like wings, and when you tighten the straps, it fits like a hinge, holding onto your back. This allows the back to fit snugly against your back without the need for parts like a metal frame or hard panels, achieving a high level of fit. Furthermore, the back panel is made up of a total of six pieces of breathable EVA foam, three on each side, which allows it to effortlessly follow any tilt or twist of your upper body
And then there's the shoulder and waist harness, which makes up MOTION FIT™. The shoulder harness and back panel are connected with stretch material, so when the straps are fastened, the entire back works together to fit the body and provide comfortable weight distribution (see photo below)
The waist harness is sturdy and fits snugly around the waist, ensuring a secure fit across the entire back. It is also made of stretchy material, improving the fit and preventing movement (see photo below)
The body is designed to narrow slightly towards the bottom, keeping the center of gravity high. The shoulder straps are forked at the waist, which distributes the weight evenly across the back and improves the ability to follow the movement of the upper body (see photo below), and other features are evident throughout to reduce stress while on the move
Another feature that keeps the backpack stable is the streamlined compression function. The straps connecting the top lid and main compartment extend from the bottom of the pack, compressing the entire pack regardless of how much is inside, making it easier to maintain balance (see photo below). What's more, it's a clever little feature that allows the entire pack to be compressed with just one buckle
Functional pocket attachments for high storage capacity
It's not just that it has a lot of large pockets, but rather that it has just the right amount of storage space placed in the right places for ease of use. It's perfectly placed for fast packing, where you want to access things like hydration, energy supplies, cold weather gear, waterproofing, and your smartphone while minimizing the number of times you take off your backpack
The first big thing is the stretch pocket on the right front (see photo below). It's made of stretch material, so it can hold a lot more luggage than it looks. It can hold bulky items like rainwear, and it keeps small items securely in place. Fortunately, there's a zipper within reach of your right hand, so you can take things in and out without having to take the bag off. The material is fairly sturdy, so it doesn't seem like it'll get caught on twigs or anything and tear
On the opposite side of the front, there is a zipper that allows direct access to the main compartment, making it easy to take things in and out (see photo below). The bag has an excellent balance, with parts reduced in many places to reduce weight while still maintaining a reasonable level of convenience
Functionality derived from a running pack that allows you to move around without taking off the pack
Based on feedback from running bags, the shoulder harness has a mesh pocket on the right side for storing soft flasks and bottles, and a zippered mesh pocket on the left side. The waist harness has small item compartments of equal size on both sides, which can hold frequently used tools and snacks
However, as someone who regularly uses a trail running pack, I think it would have been nice to have more pockets here. I can fit a hydration bag on my back, so one water bottle compartment is enough, but a few more stretchy pockets would have allowed me to keep everything close at hand without having to take the backpack off while I was out and about
Another unique feature of the OUT NIGHT is its 5L top lid. It can be easily removed and, of course, it also provides compression (see photo below). As we'll explain later, this can also be used as a chest pocket. When combined with this, everything you need while on the move is within reach, so you rarely have to take the backpack off and can focus on walking
Actual impressions after using it
When you actually put it on and move around, the fit really stands out. The luggage hardly moves around even when you're running lightly or speeding up on downhills . It can be precisely adjusted in various places, and the backpack itself can be compressed, so it feels extremely stable when you're on the move, regardless of the load you're carrying. Of course, since it's designed for fastpacking, this doesn't necessarily apply to loads over 15kg.
The back panel fits snugly to the back while still ensuring good breathability . If you look closely, you'll see that the back panel and shoulder harnesses have been hollowed out, which improves breathability and also contributes to weight reduction. Thanks to this, even though it fits snugly, it doesn't get too stuffy even when you exercise a lot! It's especially reassuring for the upcoming hot season.
Furthermore, when I actually tried carrying the weight, I realized that the shoulder straps are split into two parts, one above the other, excellent weight distribution and places the weight closer to the center of the body are fastened. As a result, when fitting, I felt like the center of gravity was firmly distributed across my entire back (or maybe it felt lighter than usual?).
The chest strap is a single piece, but it can be fastened in any position, allowing for precise adjustments. Removing it is also easy, with just a slight tug, so it's stress-free
Another unexpectedly useful feature is the removable canopy . Of course, you can remove it if you don't need it, but you attach it to your chest and use it to store snacks, a smartphone, a map, a bottle, etc. It can be used like a sacoche bag, so you can take out and put in the things you need while you're out and about without having to take the pack off.
Summary: Recommended for these people
Weighing less than 1kg, it's light enough for an overnight backpack. Of course, there are plenty of lighter backpacks out there, so it's not incredibly light. However, the OUT NIGHT more than makes up for it with its excellent balance of fit, mobility, and functionality, making it incredibly easy to use. For speed hikers who want to expand their horizons faster and further, the unrestricted movement and ease of accessing and storing gear will make it the perfect companion. Even those who have never used a UL backpack before will be impressed by its lightness and fit.
There are three other models in the series: OUT DAY OUT WEEK for multiple nights the OUT WEEK has a capacity of nearly 50L, which seems a bit too large unless you're planning on a week-long mountain trip.The OUT NIGHT has a capacity of 35L, which is sufficient for multiple nights, so if you're unsure about the capacity, we recommend choosing the OUT NIGHT
This year, why not take a journey that goes faster and further and sees scenery you've never seen before?
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