Arc'teryx: Naos 55 Backpack

When Backpacker magazine bestowed a 2006 Editors' Choice Award on the Arc'teryx Naos 55 Backpack, they didn't just admire the ingenious construction within the confines of some trade show booth, they took it out into the real world to make sure it lived up to the hype. Testers used it in the backcountry and concluded that the innovative design is truly remarkable. The Load Transfer Disc™ really does allow the hipbelt to pivot freely so that the hips and buttocks are not locked into a rigid system and forced to slightly lift the pack with every step. They also learned that the weatherproofing truly does compare favorably to a drybag, and that the bonded Advanced Composite Construction is not just some fancy name but a durable way to laminate the pack bag, shoulder harness, and hipbelt together into a low-profile, weight saving package. The Arc'teryx Naos 55 Backpack is a great all-purpose pack. The side compression straps hold skis securely, the incredible suspension is worthy of extended outings that start out with the pack crammed beyond capacity, and the watertight construction is great for canyoneering routes where wading, swimming, and rappelling through waterfalls is expected.

• Key fabrics: 420-denier Advanced Composite Textile (420ACT) VaporTight™ includes a urethane mixture on both faces for bonding and weatherproofing, Spacermesh and dense EVA foam on the harness and back panel
• 3D Shaping takes just 2 pieces of fabric and gives the pack three dimensional volume, greatly reducing seams and contributing to a streamlined look
• Rolltop™ closure provides a waterproof top closure for varying loads
• Advanced Composite Construction is fully seam sealed and connects the framesheet, shoulder harness, and hipbelt to the pack body with low profile bonding technology
• Monoframe™ back panel bonds together a durable Kydex® framesheet, twin 6061 aluminum stays, and comfortable foam materials
• Radially formed shoulder straps shaped with an anatomical curve for added comfort
• Binary™ hipbelt components, including a Load Transfer Disc™ and housing, provide dynamic radial shift
• Waterproof hydroport and hydration bladder pocket
• Removable WaterTight top pocket
• Side access Kangaroo Pocket with WaterTight™ zipper
• Laminated map pocket
• External compression straps, 3 on each side
• Capacity: 3,230 cu. in. (53 l) in short, 3,420 cu. in (56 l) in regular, 3,600 cu. in. (59 l) in tall
• For larger loads an extension collar adds roughly 550 cu. in. (9 l) to the capacities listed above
• Weight: 4 lbs. 6 oz. (2 kgs.) in short, 4 lbs. 10 oz. (2.1 kgs.) in regular, 4 lbs. 14 oz. (2.2 kgs.) in tall