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Gregory Zulu 35 vs Zpacks Nero Classic 40L

Weight and specs compared for 2026 — and which one to choose.

Zpacks Nero Classic 40L is the lighter option — 761 g lighter than the Gregory Zulu 35 (72% less weight). If grams matter to you, that is the one to beat.
Spec Gregory Zulu 35 Zpacks Nero Classic 40L
Weight 1,050 g · 1.050 kg · 2.31 lb 289 g · 0.289 kg · 0.64 lb
Brand Gregory Zpacks
Category Backpack Backpack
Gregory Zulu 35
1,050 g

Ventilated 35L daypack with 3D Hydro reservoir sleeve.

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Zpacks Nero Classic 40L
289 g

Frameless ultralight pack in 30L or 40L, built from Dyneema CF fabric. One of the lightest load-carrying packs available for thru-hiking.

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Gregory Zulu 35 vs Zpacks Nero Classic 40L: which should you buy?

If saving weight is your priority, the Zpacks Nero Classic 40L wins — at 289 g it is 761 g (72%) lighter than the Gregory Zulu 35 (1,050 g). That said, the heavier option may justify the extra grams with more capacity, durability or comfort, so weigh the trade-off against how you'll use it.

See where both rank against everything else in this category on the lightest backpack page, or browse the full gear weight database.

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