← Gear database

Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L Backpack vs Zpacks Nero Classic 40L

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

Zpacks Nero Classic 40L is the lighter option — 335 g lighter than the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L Backpack (54% less weight). If grams matter to you, that is the one to beat.
shopping_cart Check today's price on Amazon
Spec Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L Backpack Zpacks Nero Classic 40L
Weight 624 g · 0.624 kg · 1.38 lb 289 g · 0.289 kg · 0.64 lb
Brand Zpacks Zpacks
Category Backpack Backpack
Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L Backpack
624 g

Ultralight 60L thru-hiking pack with DCF fabric and arc carbon fiber frame for load transfer. Weight varies by configuration.

Full details →
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.

Full details →

HikeLoad is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L Backpack 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 335 g (54%) lighter than the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L Backpack (624 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.

More backpack comparisons