Arc Teryx Nozone

Review Date
June 21, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: noidchipmunk(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from Bristol, England

Price Paid:  $200.00 at Snow and Rock

Summary:
Just recently bought this pack to replace my Lowe Alpine Contour Crossbow. It wasnt that the Lowe Apine was rubbish it just couldnt handle the heavier loads with crampons and axes lashed externally.

Anyway, after a lot of searching and much deliberation I decided on the Nozone, the competition including both Pod and Macpac but this has it all.

Firstly what other packs seemed to lack was a place to strap a camp mat whilst crampons a axes were also lashed on. Arcteryx solved this by having four straps that are completely removable - two down each side of the sack. This is the reasoning for the 'ghost' compression straps, its so you can slide tent poles and a camp mat out without catching on the straps. (Very clever) The hypalon crampon material is incredibly durable and sewn onto this hypalon patch are two daisy chains, my first impression was were do I rack gear when I take of the crampon patch? Luckily enough there are two daisy chains hidden under the crampon patch. Removable axe keepers are becoming more of a standard as companies try to allow their packs to be stripped down for summit attempts and the Nozone is no exception, with a strip down weight of a kilogram the summit is always in reach. Removable hipbelt allows the thinner one to be added again for climbing or summit bids - with the added to holsters, gear loops and 3d formed foam belt comfort is matched step by step with functionality. The lid pocket has vertical access rather than from the side, this is handy when there is a lot of stuff floating around in there, ie. snacks, penknife, first aid kit - etc.
The main compartment is fairly standard - very slim but wide enough to accomodate an alpine sleeping bag. The lack of hydration pocket was the only downside on the entire pack, but the rest will wow you so much you wont even notice it.
This is definitly an alpine sack and not the backpacking kind - the features dictate this as well as shape.

Similar Products Used:
Lowe Alpine - Alpine Crossbow, Contour Crossbow and Alpamayo. Many others on shop floor.

Review Date
June 21, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Alex (Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from Bristol, England

Price Paid:  $200.00 at Snow and Rock

Summary:
Just recently bought this pack to replace my Lowe Alpine Contour Crossbow. It wasnt that the Lowe Apine was rubbish it just couldnt handle the heavier loads with crampons and axes lashed externally.

Anyway, after a lot of searching and much deliberation I decided on the Nozone, the competition including both Pod and Macpac but this has it all.

Firstly what other packs seemed to lack was a place to strap a camp mat whilst crampons a axes were also lashed on. Arcteryx solved this by having four straps that are completely removable - two down each side of the sack. This is the reasoning for the 'ghost' compression straps, its so you can slide tent poles and a camp mat out without catching on the straps. (Very clever) The hypalon crampon material is incredibly durable and sewn onto this hypalon patch are two daisy chains, my first impression was were do I rack gear when I take of the crampon patch? Luckily enough there are two daisy chains hidden under the crampon patch. Removable axe keepers are becoming more of a standard as companies try to allow their packs to be stripped down for summit attempts and the Nozone is no exception, with a strip down weight of a kilogram the summit is always in reach. Removable hipbelt allows the thinner one to be added again for climbing or summit bids - with the added to holsters, gear loops and 3d formed foam belt comfort is matched step by step with functionality. The lid pocket has vertical access rather than from the side, this is handy when there is a lot of stuff floating around in there, ie. snacks, penknife, first aid kit - etc.
The main compartment is fairly standard - very slim but wide enough to accomodate an alpine sleeping bag. The lack of hydration pocket was the only downside on the entire pack, but the rest will wow you so much you wont even notice it.
This is definitly an alpine sack and not the backpacking kind - the features dictate this as well as shape.

Similar Products Used:
Lowe Alpine - Alpine Crossbow, Contour Crossbow and Alpamayo. Many others on shop floor.

Review Date
February 11, 2001

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Reviewed by: john miller(Unregistered User) ,  Climber , from marquette, mi

Price Paid:  $100.00 at arcteryx

Summary:
Two words...too heavy. Alpine packs have no need to be that beefy. The spectra is not tough enough. A alpine pack has to be able to be hauled occasionaly. I made that mistake only once. Arcteryx is a sell-out company. REI owns a good chunk of these guys now.

Customer Service:
Arcteryx is not the quickest warranty and return company.

Similar Products Used:
granite gear alpine, cold, cold world chernobyl, wild things ice sack, and climb high long shot.

Review Date
March 31, 2000

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Ajanii(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Utah

Summary:
This review is partly in comparison to the Bora 40 by ArcTeryx. This pack carries more gear than my Bora 40 with a few more features that make it great for serious moutaineering and rock climbing. It is a bit heavy and definitly less comfortable that the Bora 40. But the shoulder straps are smaller for a reason, it makes scrabling much easier, especially 4th class. The gearloops on the waist belt are great. The first thing I don't like about the pack is it's durability. The ripstop rippedmy first day out at Red Rocks as I brushed up against some sharp brush. Never happened with my Bora 40. That pack is tuffer by far. The other thing I don't like about the pack is the price. In light of the ease at which it ripped, it is not worth $300 especially with the warranty the company provides. 2 stars for features, 1 star for fit, 0 stars for investment/return value, -5 stars for unacceptable warranty service.

Customer Service:
Upon contacting the company to get an exchange or repair of their theoretically superior product, I was told it could take several months for the repair to take place and that I should keep my tracking number incase I don't hear back for the warranty department......Because of this, I will likely never buy another pack from this company.

Similar Products Used:
Bora 40 (not enough technical features but still a great pack), Alpine Lowe Crossbow 50 (no thanks, Various REI packs (okay but I'll spend the money for the name brands thank you)

Review Date
December 19, 1999

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Barry(Unregistered User) ,  Climber , from CANADA

Summary:
In one word: outstanding.
I love all the features. This is a very well thought out tricekd out alpine pack. I love the fact that the hipbelt comes off. Great for travelling a la hostel (i.e. student) I would think.

The spectra fabric sheds rain very well, it's starting to snow so I'll see how it takes that on, but I'm sure I'll be impressed.
Other important features are the higher than average quality aluminum stays - 7075 - I find them very flexible and the head cavity so you can look up with out straining your neck,even with helmet. Also internal compressiont straps are very thoughtful touch,

So far I haven't done anything really techical with it besides through hiking , but it didn't let me down in that respect. Will update in a few months regarding snow shoe trips, some ice climbing mayeb etc.

All in a all, I think it's the best pack in this this size category.
55litres/3300 cubic inches, alpine.
maybe they'llmake a bigger similar pack? I know the khamsin 52 and 62 are coming out, sub 4lb backpacks, but a bigger alpine pack? We'll see

Customer Service:
Excellent knowledgeable phone people who are also friendly

Similar Products Used:
North face, but I like Arc'teryx fit and constuction best.
Price is low in Canada too. In USA the Nozone is 280, in Canada, I know where I can order it for 280 (Can). Price might scare some people off, but it's worth the extra $$$.