An expert look at the latest in outdoor gear.

Rab demonstrates that ultralight weight, strength, comfort and capacity can go hand in hand with the sub-1kg Muon 50L hiking pack.

‘Strong, light, cheap: pick two’ is an adage that’s often applied to outdoor gear, but this pack holds its own in all three.

If you’re like me and don’t want to remove your pack when accessing food or water or stowing gear, then Rab’s Muon 50L might catch your attention. For day trips I’m a fan of running vests for efficiency on the move and helping me stay on top of hydration and nutrition. The Muon brings running vest convenience and stability to a pack that’s light (995g) for its capacity (50 litres) and durability. 

It’s made from Spectra Ripstop fabric, which is exceptionally tear resistant. That said, you’ll not want to crawl through a hillside of leatherwood with it, because the pack’s external pockets are intended for lighter duty. 

The pack’s price is in line with similar capacity packs, but while other packs might have features to broaden their use-range (such as ice axe attachments), few compete when it comes to weight. At the heart of good pack design is the harness, which the Muon doesn’t compromise on, unlike some ultra-light packs. And although it only comes in one non-adjustable back length each for men’s and women’s (ND50L) models, the harness is well engineered to be both comfortable and breathable.

It’s a pack that’s most at home on track and below the snowline for thru-trampers, fast packers and those wanting to save weight and move efficiently without skimping on comfort. 

Trail Specs

Rab Muon 50 and Muon ND50L (w)

Price $549.95

Size Back length 48cm (m), 43cm (w)

Weight 995g (m), 985g (w)

Capacity 50 litres

Fabric 100D (85% recycled) high-tenacity nylon with Spectra ripstop

Variants Also available in 40L capacity (men’s and women’s) with roll-top lid 

Key features we like

Running vest stability 

The wide waist belt and stabilising shoulder straps are anatomic and pliable, enabling the Muon to hug your body with a limpet-like fit. Forget being pulled off balance on tricky ground by an unstable pack or wriggling constantly under a straightjacket of straps. Broad, chest-hugging shoulder straps, a multi-point sternum strap and integration of the base of the pack into the waist belt help lock the load down.    

Multi-use pockets

Generous zippered pockets on the shoulder straps fit 500ml hydration flasks or snacks. I left one free to carry my phone so I could keep it handy for photography or navigation. Alternatively, you could carry a satellite comms device or a GPS here. 

Ample external storage

You can stash or access gear on the fly via large, stretchy side pockets that are in easy reach while wearing the pack. Doing up the waist belt pulls the pockets partially closed, but you can secure items like water bottles with an internal drawcord. The pockets are prone to catching if you have to bush bash, however. A stretchy outside sleeve works well for wet gear or overflow. 

Adaptable and expandable

If the pack is partially full, or to save weight, you can remove the lid and lid straps for a streamlined load. The capacity can also be expanded to a tent with overflow cords on the pack base. Well-placed side compression straps could carry tent poles or a tripod.   

Spectra reinforced fabric

Using Spectra Ripstop fabric, Rab has sidestepped the durability issue of lightweight pack materials. Spectra fibres significantly improve the tear resistance of fabrics while maintaining very light weight. This fabric is also UV-resistant, which helps prevent long-term sun damage. 

Wilderness verdict

The Muon 50 is best suited to on-track tramping below the snowline, and combines class-leading weight with features that improve comfort and efficiency while on the move. It will appeal to long-distance trampers and fast weekend warriors

Gear radar

Crazy Creek Hex 2.0 Chair

$139.90 / 567g

This taco-style lightweight backpacking chair offers an alternative between sitting on a square of foam and alloy-framed chairs of the four-legged variety. Over summer I tried out the lightest and most packable model, the Hex 2.0 Original (567g). It proved a back-saver. Comfort cravers who don’t want to shoulder the weight of a full chair should consider this compact option. It can also be opened flat to sleep on.

Jetboil Flash

$295.99 / 371g 

Jetboil has updated its best-selling model, the Flash 1l, to make it even more efficient. The main upgrade is a single switch for turn-and-click ignition. Improvements have also been made to the ignition electrode, which is now encased in ceramic for greater reliability, and the sometimes clunky pot-to-burner locking mechanism. Other updates are more cosmetic, but we’re looking forward to trying one out. For tramping and climbing I use my Jetboil more than any other stove, and while it’s best for boiling rather than cooking, you can’t beat it for speed, fuel efficiency and weight saving during trips of more than a couple of days.

OMM Aether Jacket

$749 / 225g (m), 190g (w)

United Kingdom brand OMM, named after the Original Mountain Marathon – the gold standard of UK mountain challenges – is now available in New Zealand via Further Faster. At OMM’s core is a range of ultralight clothing and packs designed for mountain running and fast-packing. We took note of the featherweight but super tough Aether waterproof/breathable jacket, which is made from Dyneema reinforced nylon to a mountaineering spec and has an impressive 20,000mm waterproof rating for its three-layer fabric. We’ll be reviewing the Aether soon.