Nero Ultra 40L Backpack

$249.00 USD Weight 3.3 oz / 93 g
Lead Time Ships in 1-3 Business 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 are required.

Multiple Triple Crown thru-hikes have been completed with our Nero series backpacks, proving 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 modularĀ add-ons, the versatile Nero Ultra is your ticket to maximizing every day hike, section hike, or thru-hike.

  • Made from 3.3 oz/sqyd Ultra 100X fabric. Ultra 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 waterproof, PFAS Free, and is not coated with DWR or other chemicals.

  • All seams and attachment points are taped making the pack highly water resistant. We recommend adding dry bags or a pack liner for additional protection for important items like your clothing and sleeping bag.

  • The 40L volume is our most popular in the Nero Series, with enough space for 3-4 day carries on a thru-hike with ultralight gear. 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. The strap comes off if you don't need it.

  • A roll top closure allows you to compress the top of your pack as your gear load shrinks. Side compression cords can further shrink the volume and are also useful for carrying trekking poles or an umbrella in the side pockets.

  • Multiple styles of interchangeable shoulder straps are available to choose from. Our straps feature comfy 3/8" closed cell foam padding with 3D Mesh on the bottom for air flow and cushioning. A daisy chain lets you clip on accessories, and a sternum strap can be moved up or down for a perfect fit.

  • 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.

  • Spacious side pockets will fit up to two 1L bottles each. They are positioned low on the pack and slanted forward for easy access. The pockets have drainage holes at the bottom, and elastic to keep them tight at the top.

  • A large stretchy mesh center pocket is handy for quick access items like your rain jacket and snacks, and it allows you to dry out wet clothing and gear.

  • A drinking tube can be threaded out the corner of the roll top closure and secured with the daisy chain on the shoulder strap.

  • A variety of loops are available 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.

  • Designed and assembled in the USA from domestic and imported components.

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: 6" x 12" x 25" (15.25 cm x 30.5 cm x 63.5 cm)

Volume: 40L (27L 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.

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 pouchesshoulder pouches w/ zipperwater 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 pouchesshoulder pouches w/ zipperwater 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 soft bottle flask, 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.