Nashville Cutaway- Update

Notes on this sweet pack’s first foray into the backcountry

For additional details about this pack, check out my “first look” review HERE.

To put it bluntly, this pack was a revelation on my Pictured Rocks hike. My base weight and total pack weight were by far the lightest they’ve ever been (see my LighterPack for this trip HERE), and this pack was designed for exactly such a trip. Keep in mind that although this was a summer trip with the commensurate lightweight sleep gear and clothing, I also carried 5 1/2 days of food, which is comparable to what thru-hikers do between resupply.

My total pack weight was about 16.6 lbs., and close to 1.5 lbs. of that was in my fanny pack, so the Cutaway weighed about 15 lbs. when I set out on the trail. Heck, I barely noticed that I had a pack on. And the running vest style of the shoulder straps definitely seemed to transfer some of the load-bearing from my shoulders to my chest, so it didn’t even feel like I was carrying 15 lbs.

The two sliding sternum straps help keep the vest where you want it. I found them easy to position.

Everything with green fabric on the straps is a lycra or spandex pocket. It’s some kind of stretchy material anyway, and it didn’t tear or pile during the week of use. Those pockets are handy. The largest pocket on each strap is suitable to hold a small phone or power bank, or a small water bottle. I used them for a small ziploc with wipes and a mini bottle of DEET. When the mossies came, I was able to quickly access hot DEET death for them. I didn’t use the topmost pockets much, but they’d be a good place for a small multitool or lip balm. The small pockets at the bottom were handy for food wrappers, making it easy to graze on the go if that’s your thing.

The generous wraparound stretchy front pocket was perfect for water bottles (easily accessible with the pack on) and my tent.

If I had been tarping, my shelter would’ve been in the main pack compartment and I could’ve had other things in the front pocket instead, such as a sit pad, water filter, TP, sundries bag and $hit shovel.

The main pack compartment had plenty of room leftover after I packed it, and would’ve had no trouble holding a shoulder season quilt/bag and pad as well as extra food and clothing.

The Liteskin fabric held up without a nick or scratch, and I’m not as careful with my packs as I should be- I toss them around and often use them as a pillow for a nap. It was only exposed to one steady drizzle, no major rain, but everything stayed dry. I think it’s water resistant enough considering that I keep my quilt and spare clothing in DCF pods from Hyperlite Mountain Gear. Yeah, I’d hike with it in a rainstorm.

Of course, a single 40+ mile hike isn’t nearly enough to evaluate durability. But to this point, everything still looks like it did the day I took it out of the box.

Do I have any quibbles? Not really. The stretchy pockets absorb moisture, but they dry quickly. The stretchy bottom pocket where I stored my rain gear is amazing, but remember if you empty your pack it’s not putting pressure on that pocket anymore, so it loses structure. I caught my rain jacket trying to fall out once in this situation.

A fanny pack is the perfect complement to the Cutaway. I used Nashville Packs’ Penny Fanny Pack. It allows you to keep things like snacks readily accessible, and also takes a pound or two off your shoulders. I would feel comfortable with at least a 22 lb. TPW with this combination, possibly higher. For any future hike where I’m in this weight range, the Cutaway will be coming along.

By the way, this pack was the envy of many who I passed on the trail. It definitely has a sexy factor to go with its functionality.

You can check out Nashville Pack & Equipment Company HERE. Gusha and Bedhead will take care of you, I can promise you that- their customer service is outstanding.