Nashville Pack The Cutaway vs Hyperlite Mountain Gear Contour 35
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Quick take: The Nashville Pack The Cutaway carries more (40 vs 35 liters); the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Contour 35 is lighter (0.99 vs 1.38 lbs).
| Spec | Nashville Pack The Cutaway | Hyperlite Mountain Gear Contour 35 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $350 | $350 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Ultralight Pack | Ultralight Pack |
| Frame Type | Frameless | Frameless |
| Capacity | 40 L | 35 L |
| Weight | 1.38 lbs | 0.99 lbs |
| Max Load | Not specified by the manufacturer | Not specified by the manufacturer |
| Torso Fit | See manufacturer sizing | See manufacturer sizing |
| Material | 210D Venom Gridstop ECO | DCF with Dyneema Gridstop and stretch mesh |
| Back Panel | None (frameless) | Frameless |
| Adjustable torso | No | No |
| Ventilated back | No | No |
| Raincover included | No | No |
| Hipbelt pockets | Yes | Yes |
| Removable lid | No | No |
| Hydration sleeve | No | No |
| Fits BV500 bear can | No | No |
| Warranty | Manufacturer warranty; terms not published | Manufacturer warranty; terms not published |
Pros & cons
Nashville Pack The Cutaway
- ✓22 oz for 40 L is an excellent weight-to-volume ratio for a frameless pack.
- ✓The cutaway front panel lets the external mesh expand properly instead of being compressed by the main bag.
- ✓210D Venom Gridstop ECO uses recycled content without giving up the gridded tear resistance.
- ✓3 L more capacity than the Pa'lante V2 for only 3.4 oz more weight.
- ✓Made to order, so torso and belt sizing can be matched to the buyer.
- ✓Frameless construction has nothing rigid to fail.
- ✓Hipbelt pockets included.
- ✓Strong reputation among long-distance hikers despite being a small operation.
- ✗Frameless, so loads above roughly 20-25 lb transfer straight to the shoulders.
- ✗$350 is premium pricing for a pack with no frame.
- ✗Made-to-order means long lead times compared with buying off the shelf.
- ✗No published maximum load figure.
- ✗40 L struggles with a bear canister plus a week of food.
- ✗Warranty terms are not published the way major brands publish them.
- ✗Resale and support depend on a very small company continuing to operate.
- ✗Requires disciplined packing to carry well.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Contour 35
- ✓15.9 oz makes it the lightest hiking pack in this catalog with a real hipbelt.
- ✓DCF is waterproof rather than water-resistant, so contents stay dry without a liner.
- ✓Dyneema Gridstop panels reinforce the areas DCF alone would wear through.
- ✓Hyperlite's build quality and seam taping are the benchmark in this segment.
- ✓35 L is enough for a genuinely light multi-day kit.
- ✓Stretch mesh front pocket swallows a wet shelter without opening the main bag.
- ✓Strong resale value, which offsets the price meaningfully.
- ✓Hyperlite has the deepest track record of any DCF pack maker.
- ✗$350 for 35 L and no frame is among the worst price-per-litre in this catalog.
- ✗Frameless at 35 L means the load rides on the shoulders entirely.
- ✗No published maximum load figure.
- ✗DCF creases and abrades at fold lines over time, which is inherent to the fabric.
- ✗No adjustable torso.
- ✗Difficult and expensive to repair compared with a woven nylon pack.
- ✗35 L cannot take a bear canister with a long food carry.
- ✗Warranty terms are less generous than the mainstream brands'.