What Others Are Saying
Don't take our word for it. The reviews speak for themselves.
The Trek
"The compact, frameless design is such that you should be able to fully access any external pocket on the pack whilewearing it, while the shoulder harness disperses weight across the chest and keeps the pack snug when moving at speed."
OutdoorGearLab
"If you're looking to up your game, then this pack can help elevate you to the next segment of your backpacking journey."
AdventureAlan
"The Nashville Pack Cutaway is an extremely sweet design for experienced ultralighters. Simply put, it is lighter weight, better fitting, and has more external storage than most of the competition. Cutaway is the perfect pack for crushing long mileage days, especially if you plan to mix in some trail running on flats."
Section Hiker
"...a dream to carry for ultralight backpacking, thru-hiking, and even day hiking."
Let customers speak for us
from 46 reviewsWithout comparison, the most practical and comfortable frameless I've used.
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!
Great addition to my cutaway 40 with winter coming I’m gonna need it. Nashville product are all quality
With a 7-day food carry, I needed something that would help distribute the load on my Cutaway for the first 4 days of our trip in the Wind River Range. This belt took most of the weight off my shoulders allowing me to focus on the views instead the pain of shouldering a big food carry. Once my food weight was down, and the off-trail miles persisted, I was easily able to remove the hipbelt and free up the hip. This solution makes a UL backpack versatile for a variety of baseweights and a variety of trips. Pair them with a 30L or 40L Cutaway and you will have a UL pack system that can do it all.
My pack arrived earlier than expected which was also a day before my 10 day canoe packing trip. We decided to use it as a day pack and the pack the portager would carry- it worked great! It’s extremely comfortable carrying 20-25 lb. We used it for our lunches, rain gear, filming equipment, water and filter and other essentials you don’t want to dig in the main packs for, but want close by. I wish I had had time to seam seam it before the trip. The fabric is water proof but the seems are definitely not and water comes up quickly through the bottom when in the canoe. This is not a manufacture error though and I would just encourage anyone buying one to flip the pack inside out and seem seal everything. I plan to do it once I get home but for our needs the pack worked fantastic.
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...
Are you the type of neurotic consumer who spends months comparing gear before pulling the trigger? Do what I did and listen to the nerds on Reddit; if you're looking for a frameless UL pack that has webbing and the best shoulder straps and pockets in the game, this is your buy.
I'm not even a trail runner or UL backpacker, just a guy who likes a well-designed pack, and I can confidently state the fine folks at Nashville Pack have thought about every detail of this pack: gadget and water-bottle pockets with securing snaps or cinches, modular shoulder-strap attachment points, interchangeable top strap, removable hip-belt, an actually useful amount of webbing, and an easy access snack pouch, all in an incredibly light package. I put everything from a 3 liter water bladder and hiking provisions to a 16" Macbook Pro and Steam Deck in it and there was still room for snacks and essentials.
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!
It takes a bit to get this pack dialed in, but once you do the ride is incredible. Don't cut any of the webbing until you are sure you have it dialed in. I took mine on a couple trips and each time I tweaked the fit a bit more until it eventually just molded to my body. You really do have to wear this pack all day for several days in a row to fine tune the fit.
With under 20lbs, I hardly notice I'm wearing it. At 25lbs or so you'll want to consider adding a webbing belt or wings. It feels comfortable at first, but after a few 20 mile days you start to feel it.
The organization it offers is far beyond any other UL pack I own. The 30L can fit way more than I first imagined. You just have to be a little creative.
My only complaint is the bottom pocket. I do prefer the side entry bottom pockets on other packs. If you attach a fanny pack to the Cutaway, like LiteAF, or a webbing belt or wings for a heavy stretch, they restrict entry to the bottom pocket. Not a deal breaker but a little annoying.
I've been using frameless packs for a few years now that I'm ultralight and I just have to say that this cutaway is the most comfortable pack I've ever used. The strap configuration is the clincher. Having narrow shoulders, these straps attached at the narrowest points are PERFECT for me.
The big front packet and easy access bottom pocket are amazing additions as well but it's the running style straps that just put this pack on the top of my list.
I absolutely LOVE my pack. The color alone is incredible and I’m so happy that there were one off design options.
I haven’t taken it on a backcountry trip quite yet but have been using it for everything within civilization (even carrying an entire Costco haul).
I’m very excited to put it to use in the woods, I know it’ll function incredibly
Secured to your hand? Yep. Around your neck on river? Yep. Keeping it cold on the picnic table? Yep. I love opportunities to blend ultralight gear to everyday items and this is it right here.
As an avid runner and ultralight backpacker, I've been curious for some time now about combining those passions in the pursuit of fastpacking, and the Tiempo kept showing up as I searched for highly-regarded fastpacks on the internet. I reached out to Nashville Pack folks with a bunch of questions and curiosity about whether my current gear could fit in such a small pack, and Levi & Grant were immediately helpful, being very generous with their time to discuss all the details of the pack with me. After getting the chance to hear their insights behind the design of the pack, I excitedly purchased the stock Tiempo with the hybrid vest straps, and have not been disappointed!
I haven't had a chance yet to take the pack on an overnight trip, but I did go ahead and take it out on a 15-mile trail run on fairly technical singletrack, fully loaded with all my 3-season overnight gear: shelter (tarp + bivy), sleep system (inflatable pad + quilt), camp clothes, wind/rain gear, food, 1.5L water, and all the other odds-and-ends (all of which did indeed fit within the capacity of the pack)...and I simply can't believe how great the Tiempo felt while running. It was so stable and bounce-free that I often forgot it was still on my back, and the run was a total joy. Between the lycra bottom-pocket (where I stashed my calories for the run), and all the pockets on the straps (2x 0.75L smart water bottles, phone, inReach, etc.), I could reach everything I needed mid-run without taking the pack off, and I finished the run with no hint of sore spots or pressure-points from the pack.
At this point, I can't wait to take the pack out for an overnight trip when time permits, as I can imagine happily covering some serious mileage with such a comfortable and thoughtfully-designed pack. The workmanship is absolutely top-notch, the design seems flawless, and at this point I can't imagine any improvements. I'm super-impressed with the pack itself, and even more so with Nashville Pack as a company...I don't think I can recommend them highly enough!
I received my Cutaway Pack a week or two ago. I haven't had a chance to take it out yet. But I did load it up and walk around the house. The workmanship and materials are high quality. It fits well, with lots of adjustment points for fine tuning it. The access to pockets while wearing the pack is impressive. I'm looking forward to using it this upcoming season.