How to Choose a Backpack

Go anywhere on rock, snow or ice with the men's NEMO Persist 45 L Endless Promise All-Adventure pack. It's got a clean, rugged exterior and a back panel built for a comfortable carry.
Imported.
View all NEMO Backpacking PacksBest Use | Backpacking |
---|---|
Frame Type | Internal Frame |
Gear Capacity (L) | 44 liters |
Gear Capacity (cu. in.) | 2,685 cubic inches |
Weight | 3 lbs. 11 oz. |
Adjustable Torso Length | Yes |
Fits Torso Length (in.) | 17-21 inches |
Fits Waist/Hips | 31-51 inches |
Material(s) | 100% recycled polyester |
Frame Material | Steel |
Number of Stays | 1 spring steel loop |
Reservoir Compatible | Yes |
Pack Access | Top/panel |
Number of Exterior Pockets | 8 + main compartment |
Raincover Included | No |
Hipbelt Pockets | Yes |
Dimensions | 25 x 13 x 13 inches |
Gender | Men's |
Sustainability | Contains recycled materials |
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One of my biggest problems with other packs (45L and bigger) is the location of the water bottle holder is generally too far behind you. So, you have to take the pack off to get to your Nalgene bottle or ask someone for help (not the easiest when you are on a singletrack or on a glacier ropeteam). This pack solves this issue by putting a water bottle holder on your right hip…such an easy fix. Additionally, there are packets on the chest/shoulder straps for sunblock, snacks, pocketknife, headlamp, beanie, light gloves, etc. Many packs have one or two small pouches on the waist belt, but this pack has one large waist pouch and the chest/shoulder straps…small improvement but underappreciated. Other random thoughts… The wait buckle is a bit different – not sure why they wanted to redesign the wheel. I think the green/gray color will be great as it gets some wear and tear – it should hid any mud/grass stains. 45L is a bit small for backcountry, but they do have a sleeping pad strap on the bottom. The top pocket does not detach to become a summit pack. Love having the whistle on the chest strap for any emergency situation. The vertical zipper on the outer center is nice to jump in to grab something from the bottom of your pack without unloading the entire pack – another underappreciated feature. All in all, very happy with the pack and can’t wait to give it some more exposure and use!
Once you try the hip belt on this pack you’ll never go back to a regular bag again — why hasn’t another backpack company thought of this before?!? Moving the connection point to the side removed the pinch point and abrasive edges of normal hip belt buckles that usually rub my gut raw while hiking. Huge fan of the full-zip opening which lets me access everything in the bag. The adjustment system is easy and intuitive, the padding is ultra-cushy and the shoulder strap pockets have become my go-to for holding on-the-go snacks and my communication devices. Bonus: the incorporated water bottle holder on the hip belt transfers water weight off your shoulders and onto your hip and I can actually reach my bottle without taking off my pack!!!
Nemo really thought of everything with this pack. Great side, top and front entry pockets make it easily accessible without unpacking all of my gear. I used this on a few day trips as well as overnight backpacking and found it to be comfy and supportive with overnight gear. The hip pockets and water bottle holder also really helped out on shorter day hikes with kids.
Good and good only. No bad experiences so far. My go to backpack for all outdoor ventures. Weather or terrain does not matter. So light weight feeling. So comfortable. Never felt sweaty or wet in cold and hot longer day hikes. Carried 40 pounds of weight on 8+ hour long hikes for 4 days. Never felt like I had a backpack on my back. Always felt lighter than other backpacks. Padding is one of the best! so far in the industry. Wider straps make it feel nice on the shoulders. More than enough storage ideas. Sturdy enough to withstand all purpose use. Innovative buckle system, padded waist belt, and straps.
Things I love - * great adjustability * Lots of attachments points * Nice access points to the inside of the pack * Love the pockets on shoulder straps and hipbelt pockets * I absolutely love that this pack is endless promise Things I need to get used to * Hipbelt buckle - isn't a standard buckle- still easy to use but different than what I am used to- * Compression strap attachment Nothing wrong with these just different and need to adjust to the different style... Excited to use the pack more to get more use to the features -
After putting this pack through about one month of consistent hiking and weekend camping, I’m really impressed with how much it holds up. It’s lightweight but feels extremely durable; nothing flimsy here. The fit is ergonomic, and it actually distributes weight well across the hips and shoulders, which makes a huge difference on longer trails. I’ve done 12 plus mile days with it fully loaded and didn’t feel wrecked after. Storage is very well thought out: the main compartment is roomy enough for a multi-day trip, and the side pockets and top lid give easy access to essentials. It’s hydration compatible. Straps are intuitive to adjust, and once dialed in, the pack stays secure. Also want to give credit to NEMO’s sustainability mission: this is part of their Endless Promise line, and the pack is fully recyclable. It’s a small detail, but a meaningful one. If you're looking for a 40 to 50 liter pack that’s versatile enough for everything from alpine day hikes to overnight backpacking, this is a strong option. I’d absolutely recommend it.
I LOVE Nemo gear. So, naturally, when I found out they had a pack on the market I was curious but hesitant. Bags, pads, and tents...sure...but a pack?? Nevertheless, I trusted the company that has never let me down and I picked up the 45L Persist. And honestly, I've been blown away. To me, they've changed the pack game. I don't know exactly how to tell you that they did, but they did. The shape, the zipper access, the geometry, the fit, the adaptable straps and lashing, the way it feels like flipping nothing is on your back! It just plain works. On my first day out with it, halfway up the mountain with snow flying everywhere, I realized this was simply the best pack I've ever owned. Do yourself a favor and add the Persist to your 2025 gear list and say goodbye to all your other mid volume packs.
I bought this backpack hoping it would be large enough for a heavier packed over night trip, carrying some extra gear for my dog, or a smaller backpack to bring only necessities if we get flown into a fire and need to manage the weight we bring. I packed it up and had room to spare. This got me curious. Having a super light set up (around 15 pounds) I was able to get gear for around 3-4 nights into it as well as a minimalist set up for “spiking out” on a fire. The quality is top notch as always with NEMO. The backpack is not ultralight, but the extra support and padding makes the extra weight unnoticeable or feel or even lighter. The side pouches are a little tight when the backpack is full, but I was able to fit tent poles and spikes on one side, and a water bottle on the other. I also had a bottle in the drop down pocket that was extremely convenient to reach with the pack on. I am extremely impressed. I was nervous about the size when buying the pack, and can tell you I shouldn’t have been. I would recommend this to anyone on the verge of ultralight that still wants a more robust, durable pack.
Let me begin… by saying that this pack was exactly what I needed to reduce my previous pack size and weight. Not only did I save 3 pounds just on the pack weight alone, but it also forced me to reconsider some of the unnecessary items that I was bringing just to fill my other larger pack. Once I get this thing loaded up properly, I can get up, stand up, and literally jump around while wearing it down the trails.
I bought this pack, along with the Nemo Hornet Osmo tent. With being a 45L pack, I was surprised with how much I was able to fit in the pack and have some space leftover. I really like the water bottle holder and the places to quickly access things like drink tablets, sunscreen, and hand sanitizer by my shoulders and hips. The fabric on this pack is easy to clean after being in the desert for a week.