Chris Townsend finds a lot to admire in the Sierra Designs Nexus Lite 35-50L, a unique, modular rucksack.
The Sierra Designs Nexus Lite 35-50L is an unusual and innovative pack. It has no zips and a modular design. Zip-free packs aren’t rare but they are usually simple designs. By contrast, the Nexus Lite is complex and has many features.
Chris Townsend recommends
Overall, this is an intriguing design, and there is nothing else like it.- comfortable back system
- modular design
- pillow pouch
- no side straps
- top pocket awkward to use
| Quick Specs |
|---|
| Price: US$319.95 | £220 (available from Wild Bounds) Weight: 1.45kg (M/L) Capacity: 35 -50 litres Materials: 200D Recycled Nylon Ripstop Closure: roll top Back: Y-shaped curved tubular frame, padded scapular and lumbar pads Hipbelt: padded Pockets: 1 lid, detachable front, mesh front, 2 mesh side, 2 Velcro-closed side, 2 hipbelt, 2 mesh shoulder straps, 1 inner Features: adjustable volume, removable lid, removable front pouch coverts to pillow, front compression straps, ice axe/pole loops Sizes: S/M, M/L Women’s version: no www.sierradesigns.com |
The pack consists of three units – a 35-litre main compartment to which the harness is attached, a 5-litre clip-on top lid, and a 10-litre clip-on front pouch. That’s four sizes in one pack – 35, 40, 45, and 50 litres. The main compartment has a roll top closure with a strap. There are flaps on each side that attach with buckles and straps. These can be used to compress the load with and without the front pouch. On the bottom of each flap is a mesh pocket with a Velcro-closed pocket underneath it. Inside there’s another Velcro-closed pocket. The front pouch closes with a long Velcro-flap and has a big stretch pocket on the front. Inside there’s a fleece lining so you can turn the pouch inside out, stuff it with clothes, and use it as a pillow. This worked well and I really like it. The lid compartment has a short tube-like opening that closes with Velcro, rolls up and is fastened with studs.
The back system is the same as the Flex Capacitor packs. It has a curved Y-shaped tubular frame that flexes side to side, allowing free body movement, but is rigid top to bottom to support the load. The shoulder straps, hipbelt, scapular pads, and lumbar pad are well-padded. I find this back system very comfortable with heavy loads. The back isn’t adjustable but there are two lengths.
The complete pack weighs 1.45kg – fairly light for a 50-litre pack. Without the lid and front pouch it weighs 1.15kg, which is heavier than many 35-litre packs. In use, I needed to rethink how I usually pack. I normally put small items I might need during the day in the top pocket but with the Nexus Lite I found this was fiddly and time consuming. It’s the one place where a zip would be better. It was easier to open the main compartment and have smaller items in a drybag at the top. The lid pocket I used for clothing. The front pouch is best used for light items so it doesn’t pull the pack backwards. Sierra Designs calls it a garment bag. I used it for my sleeping bag. The outer mesh pocket is big enough for waterproofs or a wet tent. The mesh side pockets easily hold water bottles.
There are no side straps so you can’t attach tent poles or foam pads to the sides. I found a thin foam pad could be slid between the main bag and the front pouch, but it would be difficult with a thicker mat. The front straps can be used for long items but this impedes access to the pouch and the mesh pocket. An upper strap on each side would be useful.
As a backpacking sack the Nexus Lite is comfortable and versatile. If you stuff the mesh pockets, I think it’s more than 50 litres. Day walks from a camp are straight forward in its stripped-down configuration. Overall, this is an intriguing design, and there is nothing else like it.
Testing Conditions
The pack was tested on overnight and day trips in the Cairngorms over the last autumn and winter. Chris found the larger size (M/L) fitted well, because although he is not very tall, he has a long back.
