Need a backpack? How about a duffel or tote? Every Overland adventurer carries gear, clothes, and equipment while adventuring outside. The outdoor company NEMO entered the “bag” market this year with some worthy offerings with distinct appeal. NEMO is recognized for designing and fabricating outstanding camping gear such as sleeping bags and pads, tents, and camp furniture. However, this was the year NEMO decided to offer new backpacks and duffels/totes to the adventurer and traveler.
Mark Thibadeau, NEMO Design Director, shared with me that, “Packs have always been a category that NEMO wanted to expand into. At NEMO however, we believe products that don’t meaningfully improve the experience of adventure shouldn’t go to market.” Lucky for us, NEMO’s packs are an excellent addition to this market. Both the Resolve Backpack and the Double Haul Duffel are designed with the overland adventurer and traveler in mind.
Nemo Resolve 15L, Endless Promise Gear
I used this pack for day hikes in the mountains and deserts of the West. The pack features NEMO-exclusive fabrics and foam to provide a superior fit for the hiker. NEMO’s CERO fabric is engineered to be three times stronger to resist tears and abrasions compared to industry standards as well as 20 times more water-resistant than other packs. NEMO engineered this pack to last a long time. NEMO uses recycled material’s construction with the capability for recycling the pack when the time comes. Mark stated, “The current pack brands make great products, but the problem of waste and consumption with consumer goods is bigger than ever, and with Endless Promise, we saw an opportunity to be a part of the solution. The greatest part of our Endless Promise collection is that through forcing ourselves to evaluate every single material and taking no material as a ‘given’, we managed to find higher performing AND more sustainable choices for our fabrics and foams.”
While hiking the backcountry of Idaho, I was confident that I had everything in my Resolve 15L, Endless Promise Gear, pack. The backpack (size variations include 15/25/35 Liters) has numerous pockets to carry a water bladder, snacks, and valuables. In the one large, main compartment, I carried my rain jacket, camera, and water purifier. A perfect size for a day hike! The pack has an easily adjustable torso to accommodate different lengths to maximize fit and comfort. The CERO fabric withstood the abrasions from branches and rocks in Idaho’s backcountry. The fit and comfort of the pack resulted in zero sore muscles as well as no shoulder and back pain the following day. It fit “like a glove!”
MSRP: $160
- Three sizes: 15, 25, 35 liters
- Easily adjustable to any torso length
- Pockets internally and externally provide ample storage
- Abrasion resistant materials increase its lifetime
Nemo Double Haul Duffel 55L
Transformer? That’s the word that comes to mind every time I use NEMO’s Double Haul Duffel. The bag comes in four different sizes—30, 55, 70, and 100 Liters. The design is ingenious because the adventurer can easily transform the duffel into a tote or backpack. Yes, three bags in one! I prefer the 55 liter and find it to be cavernous. The duffel accommodated my clothes with ease, for an 11-day trip through the wilds of Idaho and Montana. The duffel features a few interior pockets and cinch straps to manage clothes and gear. The duffel is made from 420D recycled material that is water-resistant and easy to clean. My 55-liter duffel expands to 75 liters when placed in tote mode. The duffel has two backpack straps included, so I could transform the duffel into “backpack” mode and use it for my carry-on bag on the plane headed home.
Overall, NEMO has entered into the “bag” market with two outstanding offerings for the adventurer and traveler in mind. NEMO continues its pledge to the environment and asks its customers to consider impacts on our world. Recycled materials and its Endless Promise Gear pledge are outstanding attributes to an already pinnacle leader in the outdoor industry.
MSRP: $180
- Four sizes: 30, 55, 70, 100 liters
- Ingenious design allows for 3 separate bags in one
- Robust buckles and handles promote overall longevity
- Internal pockets and straps help with organization
To Learn More About NEMO Equipment CLICK HERE
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Featured Writer: Mike Holland
Instagram: DesertRush
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