Nero Ultra 38L Backpack

$249.00 USD Weight 9.9 oz / 280.0 g

Qty

Color

Shoulder Straps

Belt

Lead Time Ships in 1-3 Days

The Nero Ultra is a compact frameless backpack streamlined to only the most essential features making it great for hikes where less weight and volume is required.

Multiple thru-hikes of the Triple Crown trails have been completed with our Nero series backpacks, helping to prove that smaller volume frameless packs are a legitimate approach to long-distance hiking.

With 3 different interchangeable strap designs, a removable belt, a comfy sit pad, and a bunch of cool modular add-ons, the versatile Nero Ultra is your ticket to maximizing every day hike, section hike, or thru-hike. Time to level up your outdoor game!

Ultra 100X fabric features a woven Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) face fabric laminated to a waterproof backing. Ultra fabric boasts extremely high abrasion and tear resistance and is the strongest fabric we offer.

Ultra fabric is not coated with DWR or other chemicals and is PFAS free.

The pack material is waterproof. All seams and attachment points are taped and the pack is constructed using hydrophobic thread, making the packs highly water resistant.

The pack should keep water out in typical backpacking conditions where the pack is not submerged or exposed to prolonged periods of heavy rain. We still suggest using dry bags or a pack liner to protect important items like your clothing and sleeping bags.

Provides enough space for gear and food to accommodate most multi-day ultralight adventures.

The Nero features an interchangeable strap design allowing you to pick the perfect strap for you. The design also allows you to swap out straps for specific adventures. You can choose from our comfy Standard S Straps, Small/Women's Straps, or our Vest Style Straps with integrated water bottle pockets. Check out the Sizing, Straps, & Fit tab for more information on each style strap or click here to purchase additional interchangeable strap styles.

Three belt positions allow you to move the optional webbing belt up or down to fit a range of torso heights. The optional belt is 1" (2.5 cm) wide and has a maximum adjustment of about 50" (127 cm) circumference. An optional padded belt is also available.

Features a roll top closure with a stiffened opening which allows you to compress the top of your pack as your gear load shrinks.

Use the provided top strap to lash items to the top of your pack or upgrade to the optional Nero V-Top Strap to allow you to carry a Bear Canister or other heavier items.

Large stretchy mesh center pocket is great for quick access items. Mesh also lets you dry wet clothing and gives you a clear view of your gear.

Side compression straps are made from non-stretchy Dyneema® cord for squishing down the pack volume. They also allow you to stand tall items like trekking poles or an umbrella in the side pockets.

Side pockets are sized to fit 1 or 1.5 liter bottles. They are positioned low on the pack and slanted forward for easy access without removing the pack. The pockets have drainage holes at the bottom, and elastic that keeps them tight at the top.

Along the sides and front, you will find a variety of loops for attaching optional add-ons like our top side pockets, shock cord lashing, and ice axe loops.

A closed cell foam sit pad measuring 11" x 15.5" (28 cm x 39.4 cm) is included and adds an additional 1 ounce to the total weight of the pack. The foam provides some cushion and support against your back. The sit pad is held in place with shock cord and comes off quickly for breaks. The shock cord (.3 oz / 8.5 g) and sit pad are removable and replaceable.

The shock cord can also be re-tied to accommodate up to 20" tall folded sleeping pads, or taller sit pads.

All Zpacks gear has a two year limited warranty against defects in materials or workmanship. Please see our return / warranty policy.

Made in the USA.

Foam sit pad adds 1.0 oz (28 g)

Belt (optional): 1" (2.5 cm) wide x 50" (127 cm) circumference, 1.2 oz (34 g)

Body dimensions: 5.5" x 11.5" x 24" (14 cm x 29 cm x 61 cm)

Volume: 38L (25L main body, 2.5L each side pocket, 8L center pocket)

Load Capacity: Recommended up to 20 lbs (9 kg) for shoulder comfort. The materials can handle as much weight as your shoulders can for longer carries.

3.3oz/sqyd Ultra 100X

Ultra 100X is composed of a woven 100 denier Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) face fabric laminated to a waterproof lining. Our 2nd generation fabric has a 50% thicker, more durable .75 mil laminate. It has an "X" grid on the interior to add bias strength. The fabric is fully waterproof and has extremely high tear and abrasion resistance.

Our Repair Tape and Adhesive products stick extremely well to the interior of this fabric.

Weight: 3.3 oz/sqyd (112 g/m²)

Tear Strength: 69.4 lbs. warp; 89.6 lbs. fill

Water Resistance: >20,000 mmH₂O

3.5 oz/sqyd Mesh

This is the mesh that we use on our backpack's center pockets. It has a relatively light weight for mesh, while being difficult to tear. It can withstand getting caught on branches and other typical abrasion that backpacks are subjected to. The hole size is a about 4 mm (a little over 1/8").

Weight: 3.5 oz/sqyd (119 g/m²)

5.3 oz/sqyd 3D Spacer Mesh

This mesh has a three-dimensional structure which allows airflow and adds cushioning. We use it on the underside of our backpack's shoulder straps and belts to absorb sweat, add cushion, and add grip. Our 3D mesh weighs less than most other types.

Weight: 5.3 oz/sqyd (180 g/m²)

Thickness: About 3/32" (2.5 mm)

Torso Height:

This backpack has three belt attachment positions allowing you to move the belt up or down to fit a range of torso heights. The actual distance on the pack from the bottom of the belt to the top of the shoulder straps can be adjusted from about 18" to 22" (46 to 56 cm), which will fit most adults. On a frameless backpack, it is nice to have the shoulder straps roughly level with the tops of your shoulders (rather than wrapping up around them) so that more weight is forced on to the webbing belt. The pack body does not extend much above your shoulders and load lifter straps are not needed.

Shoulder Straps:

Small/Women's Straps

Comfy 3/8" thick and slighlty narrower 2.5" wide padded contoured shoulder straps that are shorter than our standard straps and designed for smaller torsos. The straps have a daisy chain for clipping on items like our popular shoulder pouches, shoulder pouches w/ zipper, water bottle sleeves, and an adjustable position sternum strap is included. The shoulder straps have 3D mesh on the underside which gives them a little bit more cushion.

Standard Straps

Comfy 3/8" thick by 2.75" wide padded contoured shoulder straps. The straps have a daisy chain for clipping on items like our popular shoulder pouches, shoulder pouches w/ zipper, water bottle sleeves, and an adjustable position sternum strap is included. The shoulder straps have 3D mesh on the underside which gives them a little bit more cushion.

Vest Straps

Our harness style Vest Straps feature comfy 3/8" thick padding at the shoulders and layered 3D mesh throughout that help wrap and hug your body providing a secure fit when navigating technical terrain or trail running. Each side of the strap features an integrated stretchy Lycra water bottle pockets that fits a 1L SmartWater or Body Armor Bottle, or a 600ml UltraFlask, a stow pocket, and a small zippered pocket perfect for storing energy gels or your keys. The straps have a daisy chain for clipping the two adjustable sternum straps that are included.

Belt Size:

The webbing belt will fit up to around 50" circumference and can be trimmed down for smaller waists or swapped out for larger waists. To move the belt to a different position, slide off the belt buckle and back the webbing out of the backpack attachment points.