Originally designed as an adventure race sac, the 64Zer0 is now part of the new Extrem Light range as a lightweight walking day sac
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Berghaus 64Zer0 Pack
Tested
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Price:£50.00
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Weight: 640 grammes (stripped) 700
grammes (normal with foam back pad)
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Features: Ardura
210 Dia Rip fabric, 3D Mesh back system, 30-litre capacity,
Limpet lightweight ultra compression system, reflective
trim, waist tape retainers. Internal pocket for two-litre
hydration bladder, five mesh accessory pockets, two mesh
hip-belt pockets, chest strap, removable foam back
pad.
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Light and simple
No zipped pockets
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The Concept The 64Zer0 started life as a dedicated adventure
race sac weighing in at, you guessed it, 640 grammes, though to hit
that weight you need to remove the internal foam pad that offers some
cushioning for your back. With the introduction of the new Berghaus
Extrem Lite range , it's undergone a subtle identity shift and now
does double duty as a lightweight walking day sac.
Features
The pack's a simple sort of chappy. You get one main compartment
with no pockets, key fobs etc. plus five external mesh pockets, two
hip-belt pockets, a hydration system sleeve and outlet and a thin
internal back pad, which you can remove to save 60-odd grammes.
Most important, if you plan on moving quickly, there's a version
of the 'Limpet' compression system used on the award-winning Nitro
sac. It operates from two - reflective - pull tags at the hip and
tightens the back of the sac from four points.
Back system is simple wicking mesh which is also used on the
ergonomically curved shoulder straps, padding comes from that
internal foam mat.
In Action With about six months of use under its compression
system, we've got to know the 64Zer0 pretty well and for the most
part it's been a happy relationship. It's light, not the lightest
pack out there, but a pretty good compromise and a comfortable carry,
though the thin back padding means you need to be careful how you
pack solid objects with corners.
The compression system works well provided there's enough in the
sac for it to grip onto, though it's not as comprehensive as the
four-way, all-over grasp of the version on the smaller Nitro. We also
liked the way the relatively substantial padded hip belt added
comfort and stability when moving fast. Snug it all down and running
is no problem with everything feeling secure and stable.
The flat, simple figure-hugging back is never going to be as cool
as a vented, more substantial item, but the mesh fabric seemed to
wick okay and we never got really hot and bothered under duress.
We like the hydration facility and the mesh hip-belt pockets for
rapid access too, ditto the adventure-race style mesh stuff pockets
on the sides and back of the pack. One omission though is any sort of
internal pocket for keys, wallet, mobile phone etc. Maybe racers
don't bother with these fripperies, but it's the sort of little luxury
that walkers expect.
A very neat, stable and secure-feeling lightweight day sac. The
fabric's light but without the flimsy feel of some ultra-lightweight
race packs and we reckon it'll handle day to day use without
problems, you even get a reinforced, double thickness base.
Back and compression systems both work well, though we'd leave the
foam pad in place, things are less comfy without it and it only
weighs 60 grammes anyway, and we liked both the mesh pockets in the
belt - great for snacks, compasses etc - and on the main body.
Hydration facility present and correct too.
It would have been nice to have an internal key pocket or fob and
if you're one of those walkers who habitually carries trekking poles
on their pack, you might miss a dedicated pole holder, though you can
improvise with the side stuff pockets. Those are minor quibbles
though and as long as you're not aiming to carry more than 30 litres
and keep the pack weight down, the 64Zer0 is a nicely thought out and
made sac that's hard to fault.
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Performance
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Value
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Pushed for time:
Light, stable 700-gramme adventure race-based day sac with simple but effective back and compression system for stable fast moving. Not the absolute lightest pack out there, but feels more durable than the real minimalist kit with a double thickness base too. Good stuff and hip-belt pockets, but no internal key fob or pocket included. You also need to keep loads down for comfort. But if you move light, this is a good option.
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