Reviewing the Arc’teryx Veilance Nomin — it’s a down ‘n’ dirty look, but our pet Russki gets his point across.

What is superior to Arc’teryx?

Arc’teryx LEAF.

What is superior to Arc’teryx LEAF?

Arc’teryx Veilance/

What is the most over-engineered pack on the planet?

Arc’teryx Veilance Nomin.

Specifically, what we’re calling the Nomin 2.0. It’s an updated design of Nomin backpack released about a year ago.

This is a pack (early) Jason Bourne would wear. Stealthy, minimal, functional.

Veilance Nomin Pack Features

• A waterproof shell
• Taped seams
• Watertight zippers
• Two compartments, including:
• Front – cavernous, with an internal zippered pocket.
• Back – padded for a laptop with a document organizer; integrated top pocket – easy EDC access.
• Shoulder straps like a climbing harness
• Best. Ever. Warranty.

Few of us will ever see this pack in the wild. Its fucking expensive. Like really, really expensive. It not tactical. Even some of the cool kids don’t know this pack exists. Despite all the good things written about it, you will probably talk yourself out of buying one – after all, you can have a nice pack, nice duffel, a nice briefcase and a really good breakfast for the same price – plus the Nomin lacks all the tactical-ness. It has neither MOLLE, hydration bladder, nor Velcro.

But…

I have traveled over 100,000 miles this year with Nomin. I thought I would hate it. I was wrong.

Nomin is the best travel pack I have ever used.

It flies under the radar.

It manages the weight.

It fits in a boardroom.

It fits on a range.

It’s comfortable.

Nobody knows what it is.

It works.

Arc’teryx – if you are listening – good on you.

[Post-Scriptorum: Carryology interviewed Taka Kasuga, the Design Director at Veilance late last year. You can get a more detailed look at an earlier incarnation of Nomin, and learn some of the design philosophy in the article 2 Years with the Nomin.]