Nimbus
Meridian
The missing link in our Nimbus lineup! The Meridian is a top loader with a
floating lid/fanny pack and a single vertical zipper front access panel.
It was specifically designed to withstand the rigors of the 10,000 miles of
hiking our extreme pack tester Justin Lichter endured in 2006. "Trauma", as he is known as on the trail, started November 3rd 2005 and completed over 10,000 miles 356 days later (yes 356 days). We utilized the newly
released RiRi water resistant tooth zippers for the fanny pack lid and the
front access panel because they offer superior durability and water
resistance to any other zipper we have seen. Reflective material on the
daisy chains and on the shoulder straps insured Trauma would be seen when road
hiking at night, they also make it easier to locate the pack in the
dark. For slack packing strip off the lid and use it as a fanny pack. Built
with the same frame and harness as our award winning Nimbus Ozone the
Meridian pack offers the rare combination of durability, convenience,
versatility, and comfort in an ultralight trail pack
Sizes:
short / regular
Weight:
1.6kg / 3lbs 8oz
Capacity:
60 liters /
3800 cubes
$250
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CARRY ON
From day hikes in canyon country to soggy treks in the Cascades to dusty runs in New Mexico, more than a dozen testers carried loads big and small-and everything in between-to find the best packs of the year. In every category, we discovered daypacks and overnighters that strike a near perfect balance between weight and performance: No pack that made the final cut weighs more than 4.5 pounds, yet none requires TLC when the going gets rough. Exhibit A: Gear of the Year winner Granite Gear Nimbus Meridian, which is as comfortable as it is tough.
By Dennis Lewon
and Justin Nyberg
1. Comfort: Go ahead, try and overload it. On treks in New Mexico's Pecos Wilderness and even ski touring in the Tetons, testers were unanimous: The Meridian carries like a champ. Credit the firm yet flexy composite framesheet that moves with your body, dual density foam in the hipbelt that cushions luxuriously, and a precision fit (both torso-size and interchangeable suspension parts) that you can dial in with a few turns of a screwdriver.
2. Versatility: It's light enough to use as a weekend pack yet big enough for a week's worth of supplies-and you won't feel you're compromising in either case. How? An array of compression straps means you can under-and overload to your heart's content, a panel zip allows instant rummaging in the main compartment, and the top lid converts to a lumbar pack for basecamp duty. Stretchy side pockets will accommodate a small sleeping pad.
3. Durability: The Meridian may weigh less than four pounds, but there's nothing gossamer about the construction. There's no easily abraded mesh to be found, and its big-toothed, water resistant zippers are sturdy and easy to operate. Siliconized ripstop nylon shaves ounces and makes the pack extremely weather-resistant-while a few key high-stress areas, like the bottom and compression panels, are made with tough 210-denier Cordura.
"Buyers Guide" Outside Magazine Summer 2007: 99
"A super-sweet lightweight pack," raved our map editor after repeat trips into Colorado's Never Summer Wilderness. Despite its minimalist look, this durable midsize handles 45-pound loads. "The hipbelt and framesheet are a lot more supportive than most packs in this category," he wrote, "so don't be afraid to carry 5 days' worth of food and gear." The shoulder straps bolt individually to a series of holes in the full length molded framesheet, offering a good 3 inches of torso adjustment in each size. That gives the Nimbus excellent stability and channels weight right to the hips, where you want it; the system also permits plentiful (though slow) adjustments for torso length and shoulder width. The removable top pocket comes with a preattached hipbelt for dayhiking. A heavy-duty vertical zipper accesses the main packbag. You can cinch loads down tightly, or lash on extras with compression straps located on both sides and the front of the packbag. Two deep, stretchy bottle pockets keep trail necessities secure and handy; we stashed our water in the internal hydration pocket.
