The Cutaway 20 | 30 | 40

Our flagship pack featuring unrivaled comfort and accessibility, the Cutaway represents a commitment to building the best frameless ultralight pack on the market.

Reach what you need when you need it: Featuring a reachable wrap-around outside pocket, a large front-entry bottom pocket, and ample storage options on the vest-straps, the Cutaway has been designed from the ground up to never be the reason you need to stop.

A dialed in fit: Torso length and torso shape/volume are independent measurements.  With 3 torso sizes paired with 1 of 4 different swappable and micro-adjustable vest-strap sizes, find a fit so good you'll forget you're wearing it.

Durable and replaceable: Our unique 3-panel design and build method produces a pack with fewer seams, which means more durability and weather protection for the main pack body.  Additionally, our modular strap design means that you can replace worn straps, extending the life of your pack.

A customizable experience: Embrace the minimalism of the standard Cutaway or mix and match a variety of optional accessories to choose the features and experience you want.

Stock-version orders fulfilled in 3-5 business days. 

All packs are handmade in our shop in Tennessee.


  • Made in USA
  • Price automatically converts to your local currency
Regular price$316.00
/

Size chart

Pack Sizing

Our Cutaway Pack comes in three sizes (Tiempo is one size):

  • 16"
  • 18"
  • 20"

The most reliable way to choose a comfortable pack size is to measure your torso from your C7 vertebra at the base of your neck to the spot on your hips where you would want your hip belt to sit. If you do not plan to use a hip belt, use that as a starting point to determine where you want the bottom of your pack to be. You can size down if you wish for your pack to be clear of your butt and hips. If you do plan to use your pack with a hip belt, please stick to the sizing method above and pick the larger size if in-between sizes.

Also take the following into consideration:

  • Make sure to stand up straight while measuring.
  • Use a flexible measuring tape or a string (make sure it's not stretchy!) for a more accurate measurement.
  • If you have friends, make one of them help you.
  • If you like wearing your pack low with straps loose, you might want to size up on straps and down on pack size.
  • If you are between sizes and anticipate your pack being relatively empty much of the time, size down.

Shoulder Strap Sizing

Our straps come in four sizes:

  • 16.0in / 41cm
  • 17.5in / 44.5cm
  • 19.0in / 48cm
  • 20.5in / 52cm

The best way to determine your strap size is to take a measurement along the path of the strap, then select the size that more closely resembles your measurement. When in doubt, go up a size. If you need a size that is larger or smaller than what we currently offer, please let us know by emailing us at contact@nashvillepack.com.

Please follow these steps when taking your strap measurement:

  1. Stand up straight with your back against the wall. 
  2. Find the base of your sternum and imagine a horizontal line traveling across your rib cage. The most comfortable place for the bottom of your straps should fall within an inch or two of this line.
  3. Simulate the line of pressure at the bottom of the straps by pressing down with the side of your thumbs. This should help you determine the most natural/comfortable place for the bottom of the straps to ride.
  4. With a measuring tape or string, measure from this point up over the middle of your shoulder (following the path the strap will take), and to the wall behind you at the same height as the top of your shoulder.

Hip Belt Sizing

Our hip belts come in three size ranges:
  • Small: 26" - 33"
  • Medium: 33" - 41"
  • Large: 42" - 48"

Measure your waist at the point where you would wear your hip belt. DO NOT use your pants size! This will not give you an accurate number. If you are between sizes, going to the larger size will give you extra padding without going too close the the minimum size the belt can accommodate. 

Pack Volume
Torso Length

Product Description

Designed with comfort and accessibility in mind, the Cutaway Pack is a great choice for thru-hikes, overnighters, and everything in between.

  • Available in 20L, 30L, and 40L volumes. 
  • Unrivaled accessibility: with the exception of the small shelf pocket, all exterior pockets on the Cutaway can be accessed while wearing the pack.
  • Hybrid Vest Straps provide an outstanding level of comfort and organization.
  • Our uniquely designed bottom pocket has a secure, user-side entry and is accessible with either hand.
  • A wide variety of optional accessories provide additional opportunities for personalization.
  • The stock version of this pack is made with EPX70 RS. A made-to-order version is also available for purchase with a lead time. 

Max load recommendation: 25 lbs / 11.5 kg  

Example - 18" torso with 17.5" straps, 1x standard and 1x elastic sternum strap

  • 20L: 14.4 oz, 25L total internal volume
  • 30L: 15.4 oz, 34L total internal volume
  • 40L: 16.5 oz, 43L total internal volume

Click here for full list of specs.

*All weights are approximate - due to the handmade nature of our products, weights may vary

This product is made with EPX70 RS. For a full list of the materials we offer through our made-to-order program, see our Materials Page.

EPX70 RS - 5.05 oz/yd2

Construction: 3-layer laminate

  • C0 DWR (No Flourocarbons) on a 70d polyester ripstop face
  • 45° Blue CrossPly
  • 70d polyester ripstop backing

Custom Sizing

We are not currently offering custom torso lengths, however, if you need shoulder straps that are shorter than 16" or larger than 20.5" we will do our best to accommodate you. 

Repairs 

If you have any questions about repairs, please email us directly at contact@nashvillepack.com rather than using the form below and include photos of the area in need of repair.   

Combining Orders

Multiple orders can be combined and shipped together but this does not change the price of shipping that was already charged.

Currency Listed for International Orders

All prices are converted automatically and should be listed in your local currency. 

Warranty & Returns
See our Warranty and Returns page.

Customer Reviews

Based on 14 reviews
100%
(14)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
B
Bryan Bihlmaier
Most comfortable by far!

I compared this to the ZPacks Nero with vest straps, and there is no comparison in comfort. The Cutaway straps feel exactly like my favorite Salomon running vest! Just finished an overnight fastpacking trip (15.5 lbs starting weight) with no shoulder soreness and no areas of irritation.
I recommend adding an egg crate shaped sit pad to reduce back sweat.
Also, I use my 500mL Salomon flasks and moved the elastic lid retainer loops from their standard location to the pull-tabs on the top-of-shoulder pockets. This supports the lid from above and prevents any flopping around. Works perfectly!
I also found that my Garmin InReach Mini fits perfectly in the top of shoulder pocket, and I couldn’t even feel it there.
The only thing I’m still on the fence about is the wrap-around pocket. When I unpack and then re-pack at camp, things in the pocket shift around to a different location. But the continuous pocket probably does make it easier to reach into the side pockets.
I can’t imagine a backpacking being more comfortable than this!

D
Donald Ewell
Are there enough adjectives?

My first experience with a Nashville Cutaway was a borrowed pack from a friend. It was... exquisite. I have backpacking experience going back more than forty years and many many interations of packs seeking the holy grail.The Cutaway was the most comfortable I have used in almost 30k miles. That borrowed Cutaway had to be returned to its owner and so I ordered my own. I had high expectations both for quality and comfort when I placed my order. It has now arrived, been assembled and has its first miles under the removable hip belt. Absolutely thrilled...

S
Sarah Baker
Amazing for Light and Fast Packing!!!

Hey ya'll! Gazelle here. I've thruhiked the AT and the PCT. I love all the pockets and the running vest fit is custom! If you're looking for gear that moves with you THIS is the pack you want! It's so stylish too-geez😎 Thanks Nashville Pack!

M
Michael Newton
Most comfortable pack yet

I tested a cutaway vs a pa'lante v2, ultralight, and desert pack, as well as a zerk 40 and a waymark gear co evlv ultra. This was the most comfortable and somehow also the lightest while giving me the most on the go pocket access

N
N.W.
Excellent fast-through hiking pack

Supremely impressed with the durability of the product.
Both my partner and I used Cutaway’s to do a 75km 1.5 day hike across remote sections of BC and were wowed by the comfort and the durability.

Will be buying again from you guys.

One suggestion:
It would be great if the vest straps accommodated 500ml salomon/hydropac soft flasks, similar to Salomon vest packs for trail running.