UK company Terra Nova is well known for their high quality, ultralight gear. After releasing the Guiness World Record holding lightest tent in the world last year, the company is now set to release a line of ultralight backpacks made out of the same material.
The Quasar Backpack series uses the same super light and waterproof Ultra fabric as the world record holding Laser Ultra 1 tent. This cuben fiber based fabric offers an extremely high strength to weight ratio. The Quasar packs are reinforced with Dyneema and Cordura in high wear areas such as the base of the packs.
Dyneema thread is used to create strong bar tack points on webbing, while Coat 50s thread is employed for stitching the pack panels together. The Quasar backpacks feature an internal hydration pocket at the back of the extendable main compartment, with two stretchy side pockets for water bottles or extra gear.
Two pockets on the hipbelt provide easy access storage or can be removed if not utilized. The chest strap holds a high visability whistle in case of emergency, while the should straps offer two water bottle attachment points. The outside of the pack has even more gear attachment points for your hiking poles, ice axe, or helmet.
Both the lid and the back foam panel can be removed in order to reduce the Quasar backpack to its minimum possible weight. The 30L Quasar weighs in at only 14 oz.(0.8 lbs) at the minimum and 18 oz.(1.1 lbs) fully loaded. The 45L Quasar weighs from 17 oz.(1 lb)-21 oz.(1.3 lbs) and the expedition ready 55L from 19 oz.(1.2 lbs)-30 oz.(1.8lbs).
The Terra Nova Quasar backpacks will retail for $240-$300 depending on size and start shipping in February.
nice, that is one light backpack, i would love this thing!
Posted by: Dan @ShareThisAdventure | January 05, 2012 at 08:08 PM
Not really sure why Terra Nova seems to be the only people bloggers talk about... they are far from leading the edge of technology and very light weight gear.
Companies such as ZPacks and HMG and others have been producing backpacks lighter than these Terra Nova backpacks for quite a while now.
A comparable cuben fiber (same material as Terra Nova) made my ZPacks is over half as light as the ones you have listed in this blog.
Nothing special here Terra Nova... once again behind the times.
Posted by: Yokhannan | January 08, 2012 at 02:15 PM