Bushwalk Australia

ZPacks have recently discontinued their Zero range of ultralight backpacks (and options) and have now replaced it with Joe's latest offering The Nero ultralight frameless backpack which is now available. At 309gms this new pack is 'stripped down' to only the bare essentials with no options available - the Nero is available in Army Green, Azure Blue, Black and Grey. The bummer for me is the mesh centre pocket which although reducing the weigh a little more the mesh is diabolical when bush-bashing - it will be ripped to shreds on day 1. The Nero has a 38litre total capacity (total) including a 25l main body, 8litre centre mesh pocket and 2x2.5litre side pockets. The pack is useful up to 9kgs (maximum)and a suggested base weight of 2.5kgs. Material is 2.92oz DCF.

It's a big day pack.

Funny - they remove the zero and replace it with this?

I'll probably buy a Pa'lante pack instead of this at one point. Bottom pocket and integrated shoulder pockets tip me in their favour.

Orion wrote:It's a big day pack.

Depending on how you pack, it's doable as a multi-day pack.

My main issue with it is the ratio of internal storage to mesh pocket storage.

If I was going for a pack like this it would be a toss up between the Pa'lante Simple and the MLD Burn. The Simple and Burn have more internal space (32L and 30L, respectively). All three suffer from having a lot of mesh, but I think MLD tackle this best having Dyneema X in high abrasion points on the mesh pockets. The Burn is a bit heavier, but only by 30g so the extra weight is pretty negligible. However, the Cuben Burn comes in at 325g. The Burn is also the cheapest option. $180 compared to $199 for the Nero and $240 for the Simple.