The Best Deals on Camping, Backpacking and Outdoor Gear [May 2025]
We’re all in on ultralight backpacking here at Terradrift. In fact, it’s the only way we trek into the backcountry at this point (check out these articles about our sub-10lb couple’s base weight and what UL gadgets we do and don’t love). But we had yet to test packs from one of the biggest names in Ultralight backpacking: Zpacks. So we got our hands on a Zpacks backpack–the Super Nero 50 Ultra, part of the Zpacks Nero backpack series–and took it into the backcountry to see how it performed (and whether we’d carry it again).
ZPacks Super Nero Ultra 50L: The Ultralight Champ
Weight: 11.6 oz / 330 g
Price: $269
Zpacks is a major player in the ultralight backpacking game. In fact, we bet you can’t pass a dozen backpackers on a long-distance hiking trail without spotting a thru-hiker carrying a Zpacks Backpack. And for good reason: The Super Nero Ultra 50 (Part of the Zpacks Nero frameless backpack line) is made of ultra durable material that’s waterproof plus can stand up to some serious use and abuse, it doesn’t have a frame so is insanely lightweight, has interchangeable straps (including running-vest style and women-specific straps) and an interchangeable hip belt so you can dial in the perfect fit for you. It even comes in a handful of colors.
Features
- 50L
- Removable/interchangeable shoulder straps
- Women-specific straps available
- Vest-style straps available
- Removable/repositionable hip belt
- One size fits all pack body
- Frameless
- Removable seat pad functions as back panel frame/padding
- Load Capacity up to 20 lbs
- Taped seams for waterproofing
- Ultra 100X material (Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene)
- Roll-top closure system with over-the top single strap (separate V-strap also available)
- Side compression straps
- Lash cords attached to the bottom for external carry
- Loops located around pack for attaching more cords and accessories
- Hip belt available in two sizes
Zpacks Backpack Review
But while features are all well and good to highlight, it’s how they perform in the wild that truly matters. So we took the pack out on a multi-day backcountry adventure to see how the pack fared, what we thought of things like fit and function, and so much more.
Size
The Super Nero Ultra 50 is a good-sized pack for everything from weekend excursions to longer thru-hikes. The main body is 37L plus it has and extra 15+L thanks to exterior pockets, including two large water bottle pockets that easily fit a large Nalgene or two Smart Water bottles (which are all easy to pull in and out–but more on pockets below). There’s extra storage space thanks to a huge mesh pocket on the front that’s a great place to store quick-grab items or clothing that needs to dry, but we found the interior plenty spacious for a weekend trip and beyond. In fact, our ultralight backpacking setup for a few summer nights didn’t even fill the pack to the brim.
But if you do need more storage space, there are exterior attachment points and compression straps for everything from trekking poles to folding foam pads to bear canisters. In fact, we really appreciated the bottom cords that offer a place to lash a folding foam pad, which not enough packs have these days.
Fit + Comfort
Let’s get one thing straight right off the bat: this is a true ultralight backpack for the committed ultralight crowd. By which I mean there’s no frame and it’s not meant to carry heavy loads. The back panel/frame system is essentially a folding foam seat pad secured via bungees. This helps the bag keep its shape a little, but mostly functions to keep hard gear inside the bag (like a cook set or bear canister) from digging into your spine. For this it is actually pretty comfortable.
That said, after a few minutes in warm weather, because the seat pad sits directly against your back, our backs were covered in sweat and stayed that way until we took the pack off. But if cutting grams is your highest priority, a sweaty back is likely a small price to pay. Worth noting: you can re-route the bungees that hold the pad in place and swap the seat pad out for a standard folding foam sleeping pad. We tried it with a 3/4 foam pad and found it put the pack too far from our body to be comfortable, but larger testers may find their experience differs.
We found the bag, including the flexible shoulder straps and the hip belt, comfy on long days on the trail, but the underside of the shoulder straps are scratchy on bare skin, so keep that in mind if you like to hike shirtless or in a tank top.
Because of how the shoulder straps are attached at the top (via loops and hook hardware), they didn’t feel quite as supportive or offer as much wrap-around contact on the back of our shoulders as straps that attach directly to the pack body, but since we were carrying just a 13-lb load, it didn’t actually seem to create any issues.
As for the hip belt, we were glad to have three separate attachment loops for it since the bag itself is only available in one size. That way those with shorter (that’s us) or longer torsos can adjust as needed for the perfect fit. I had it moved up to the highest attachment point. Also worth noting: because it’s attached by two thin webbing points of contact, it felt like it offered a bit more freedom of movement when bending, twisting and turning.
Functionality + Pockets
As for how easy it is to use, this pack gets top marks. The top rolls and can be buckled down on the sides and/or buckled to itself in a loop and secured over the top via the single buckle strap (which isn’t quite as effective as a Y-strap at lashing a bear canister, but Zpacks does offer the option to buy one separately).
The hip belt doesn’t have built-in pockets (neither do the shoulder straps), but Zpacks offers plenty of accessories so you can customize your carry style. Normally we prefer built-ins, but at this price there’s some wiggle room for adding on your own customization. And since every backpacker has their own highly personalized carry style, we can see why Zpacks chose the add-on route; the bag will appeal to a much wider audience.
Water bottles are large and easily accessible when the pack is on, which is a must in my opinion, especially since most thru-hikers use water bottles, not hydration bladders (check out our review of the One Bottle Hydration system, though, which is the best of both worlds).
Durability + Waterproofing
How waterproof are Zpacks backpacks? Pretty dang. But if you’re expecting lots of rain, the brand still recommends a pack liner or waterproof stuff sacks, just in case. The material is waterproof on its own plus the bag seams are taped for extra protection, though, so you should be golden as long as you’re not expecting a Muti-day downpour.
The material is super strong, too. Meaning we’d have no qualms about dragging it through brambles or scraping it over rocks or catching it on tree branches because it’s going to stand up to lots of abuse. Even the mesh pocket seems fairly difficult to rip and should stand up to more rugged use since it’s not stretchy (which often makes materials less resistant to tearing).
How Its Sustainable
Zpacks products are made in the USA. In fact, they’re manufactured and shipped from West Melbourne, Florida. The materials used are also supremely durable, which means this pack won’t end up in a landfill for many, many years. Bonus: It comes with a 2-year warranty.
Pros
- Extra large water bottle pockets
- Ultra durable
- Removable seat pad on back panel doubles as frame system
- Can replace seat pad with folding foam sleep pad
- Repositionable/removable hip belt
- Flexible shoulder straps
- Women-specific and vest-style straps available
- Compression straps all the way down the sides
- Available in several colors
- Available in several volumes
- Less expensive than some other UL backpacks
- Ultralight
Cons
- Back is not breathable
- Straps don’t extend all the way to the pack body
- No easy-access pockets built in to straps or hip belt
- Scratchy shoulder straps
- 20 lb max carry (for comfort purposes)
Bottom Line: Zpacks Backpack Review
The Zpacks Super Nero Ultra 50 is for extreme ultralight backpackers who want more customization (including when it comes to straps, pockets and hip belts) and don’t mind getting a little sweaty for a pack that weighs less than a pound. It’s functional, versatile, has options for women and folks who love a vest-style strap, and conforms to your body so you feel more like you’re wearing the pack than carrying it.
In our opinion it’s an excellent option for backpackers (including thru-hikers and weekend warriors) who are serious about trimming weight and going far and fast.
If you’d like to see a comparison of the Hyperlite backpack vs a Zpacks backpack, check out this video. Or read our separate Hyperlite Unbound 55 review.
Looking for more ultralight backpacking articles? Check out 10 UL gadgets you may or may not need and another UL backpack showdown between Gossamer Gear and LiteAF!
