The Tiempo 15

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.

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've been using the stock Tiempo for about 9 months, ranging from relatively short trail running outings, overnight fastpacking, and multi-day trips where I don't need a shelter and quilt.

I find the volume a bit small for overnight fastpacking, but it is doable for a stable weather window in good conditions if I bring only the bare minimum. My quilt is the limiting factor, so perhaps those with super small sleep systems can make this pack work better for an overnight.

I most recently used this pack for a 9 day hut-to-hut trail running trip in the Swiss Alps. It was absolutely perfect. Super easy to access what I needed on the move without taking off my pack, and just the right volume for packing some layers, a change of clothes, first aid kit, sleeping bag liner, electronics, and food without struggling to cram everything in. The bottom pocket is great for bars and small snacks, no problem with things falling out, and very easy to access while on the move. The upper pocket is great for stashing a wind layer, a sandwich, cheese/sausage, and will fit all of this stuff at the same time if needed.

This pack runs very well for the volume. I find it has less bounce than similarly sized packs (Black Diamond's "Distance" packs, for instance), but that could just be my own stride. If you are used to a Cutaway, this pack is not just a smaller iteration: the Tiempo rides higher and closer than the Cutaway, and is therefore a lot more runnable. It does compress down fairly well using the bungie system on the top pocket and the optional side compression straps.

No issues with durability or craftsmanship, this is well built, and reasonably sturdy considering the weight. I am starting to see some wear on some of my strap pockets, but I had been using those straps on a Cutaway (they swap over in 2 minutes or less) for some time previously, and am not all that careful with my gear.

I took the Tiempo on a 27 mile day hike today, and WOW. It's an amazing and extremely comfortable pack. The straps are thick and soft and hug your body so well that there's no shifting around when running. The little pack sits up high which I found to be very comfortable and I was able to reach snacks from the lower pocket and put my InReach in the higher one. By the end of my trip I didn't have any sore or chafed spots at all. Nashville Packs is definitely on to something and I highly recommend this pack to anyone.

This is technically a review for both the Tiempo and the Cutaway. I’ll never use another ultralight pack again. The ease of access to nearly anything on the go without stopping, the comfort, the design, the pockets, etc - they’ve nailed it. The folks at Nashville Pack are revolutionizing the ultralight backpack industry. Once you wear this pack, you’ll never go back. The Cutaway can fit nearly anything in it or on it (if you’re a UL backpacker) and the Tiempo is simply just magic - best fastpack there is.