Gear Review: Mammut Nirvana Flip 25L Backpack
Value Rating: 7
Durability Rating: 9
Overall Rating: 8
Location of Test: Mt. Hood back-country/Timberline and Ski-bowl Resorts
Duration of Test: 4-10 hours per use with 10+ uses
Product Name: Nirvana Flip 25L Backpack
Product Brand: Mammut
Best Use: Day-use winter hiking, ski-touring, free-riding and alpine skiing
Size: 18 and 25 Liters
The Full Review:
If you enjoy any winter outdoor activity - from winter hiking, snowshoeing, ski touring, free-riding, or alpine skiing, the Mammut Nirvana Flip is a top-notch option that everyone should consider. Today I will be talking about the 25L bag and my experiences using it.
Basic Design:
At first glance, the Mammut Nirvana Flip is an aesthetically appealing bag, with a slate-black body and red trim on zippers and select stitching. The fabric is an especially durable and water-resistant synthetic material. Over many moisture-filled mountain days, I have had no problems with anything inside the pack getting wet throughout the day (including 9+ hours of being in a constant wet snow). In snowy, winter-time mountain conditions it has consistently worked great for protecting gear and electronics. As for a full-on day of rain, although never personally tested, the material will eventually soak through- as any ‘water-resistant’ material eventually would.
Main Features:
There are 3 main pockets within this bag's design. The Main pocket opens narrowly from the top but is equipped with a full back zippered entry to the main compartment making it perfect for grabbing items packed at the bottom. I’ve found the full back entry allows easy access to gear without having to dig from the top down, keeping gear in place as well as making stops more efficient. This helps to keep body heat up, helping to avoid catching a chill on those particularly cold days.
The top pocket is a fleece lined, lightly padded pocket with a ton of space. Designated as the goggle pocket, I have been able to keep goggles, a headlamp, snacks and a handful of other miscellaneous items like a backup battery pack, gloves, and sunglasses in the pocket and still have spare room.
The lowest pocket is for avalanche and safety gear with designated slots for probe and shovel, as well as a print out of basic SOS and rescue signals that may come in handy if ever signaling to air or ground crews in a rescue situation. The pocket is larger than standard, zips all the way to the bottom seam, is marked with a more visible zipper tab, all creating easiest possible access to safety gear in the event of an emergency situation where every second saved can make all the difference.
The shoulder straps adjust in 3 ways: A regular shoulder tightening strap, a strap that adjusts the rise/height of the straps, and a chest strap to further secure your load and minimize the effect weight transfer while riding. The suggested max usage weight of the 25L version is 10kg or 22lbs. Anything heavier will put unnecessary stress on your shoulders throughout a long day.
The back padding is a comfortable high-density 2-layer EVA foam padding. Over 10+ personal uses and I’ve been unable to feel or notice any annoyance or inconvenience associated with the back padding. The Nirvana Flip also has the ability to be hydration system compatible.
Other features include straps on the back for carrying skis either diagonal or lateral, as well as being snowboard compatible. A loop also exists for an ice axe and/or trekking poles.
The Good
Designed with quality in mind and packed with features. Moderately priced compared to other similar options. Large goggle and safety gear pouches with emergency guidelines. Full back zip entry to the main compartment.
The Bad:
Hip belt could be slightly more robust. No specific slot for carrying a helmet when skinning.
The Bottom Line:
A Durable, dependable bag with multiple winter uses. From resort days to touring the back-country, this bag performs up to any expectation. It’s comfortable, keeps gear dry and allows quick access to it.
The Full Review:
If you enjoy any winter outdoor activity - from winter hiking, snowshoeing, ski touring, free-riding, or alpine skiing, the Mammut Nirvana Flip is a top-notch option that everyone should consider. Today I will be talking about the 25L bag and my experiences using it.
Basic Design:
At first glance, the Mammut Nirvana Flip is an aesthetically appealing bag, with a slate-black body and red trim on zippers and select stitching. The fabric is an especially durable and water-resistant synthetic material. Over many moisture-filled mountain days, I have had no problems with anything inside the pack getting wet throughout the day (including 9+ hours of being in a constant wet snow). In snowy, winter-time mountain conditions it has consistently worked great for protecting gear and electronics. As for a full-on day of rain, although never personally tested, the material will eventually soak through- as any ‘water-resistant’ material eventually would.
Main Features:
There are 3 main pockets within this bag's design. The Main pocket opens narrowly from the top but is equipped with a full back zippered entry to the main compartment making it perfect for grabbing items packed at the bottom. I’ve found the full back entry allows easy access to gear without having to dig from the top down, keeping gear in place as well as making stops more efficient. This helps to keep body heat up, helping to avoid catching a chill on those particularly cold days.
The top pocket is a fleece lined, lightly padded pocket with a ton of space. Designated as the goggle pocket, I have been able to keep goggles, a headlamp, snacks and a handful of other miscellaneous items like a backup battery pack, gloves, and sunglasses in the pocket and still have spare room.
The lowest pocket is for avalanche and safety gear with designated slots for probe and shovel, as well as a print out of basic SOS and rescue signals that may come in handy if ever signaling to air or ground crews in a rescue situation. The pocket is larger than standard, zips all the way to the bottom seam, is marked with a more visible zipper tab, all creating easiest possible access to safety gear in the event of an emergency situation where every second saved can make all the difference.
The shoulder straps adjust in 3 ways: A regular shoulder tightening strap, a strap that adjusts the rise/height of the straps, and a chest strap to further secure your load and minimize the effect weight transfer while riding. The suggested max usage weight of the 25L version is 10kg or 22lbs. Anything heavier will put unnecessary stress on your shoulders throughout a long day.
The back padding is a comfortable high-density 2-layer EVA foam padding. Over 10+ personal uses and I’ve been unable to feel or notice any annoyance or inconvenience associated with the back padding. The Nirvana Flip also has the ability to be hydration system compatible.
Other features include straps on the back for carrying skis either diagonal or lateral, as well as being snowboard compatible. A loop also exists for an ice axe and/or trekking poles.
The Good
Designed with quality in mind and packed with features. Moderately priced compared to other similar options. Large goggle and safety gear pouches with emergency guidelines. Full back zip entry to the main compartment.
The Bad:
Hip belt could be slightly more robust. No specific slot for carrying a helmet when skinning.
The Bottom Line:
A Durable, dependable bag with multiple winter uses. From resort days to touring the back-country, this bag performs up to any expectation. It’s comfortable, keeps gear dry and allows quick access to it.