The Saas-Fee NX 30+5 is a buy. But only for people who mostly day hike and want a rain cover and two compartments from the start. The official numbers are 1,500g, ¥28,050, and back length in just two sizes, M 48cm and L 51cm.
The Gear Nerd's Pick
The Saas-Fee NX's 30+5 and 40+5 are only 60g apart. The official equipment field is the same across all 18 items; the only difference is 1cm of width and 5cm of depth of fabric, so the back panel, harness and top lid all come along as they are. So I recommend the 30+5 only to people who've decided on day hikes alone, and the 40+5 to anyone who has hut stays on their mind even a little.
Key points
- Weight per liter of capacity is 50.0g (1,500 ÷ 30). Heavier than the Zulu 30 MD/LG's 47.3g and the Stratos 34's 44.7g. It's not a pack you choose for lightness
- Price per liter is ¥935 (28,050 ÷ 30). Cheaper than the Zulu 30's ¥990 and the Stratos 34's ¥1,003, and a rain cover is included
- Back length is fixed at M 48cm and L 51cm. 43cm exists only in the women's (1,470g) and the S of the Zip 30 in the same series
The Saas-Fee 30+5 and 40+5 differ by just 60g
On Millet's official page, the Saas-Fee NX 30+5 weighs 1,500g. The 40+5 in the same series is 1,560g. Capacity rises by 10L, and weight rises by just 60g.
The idea that smaller means lighter hardly holds for this series.
How I judged it
The first thing I looked at was weight divided by capacity. At 50.0g per liter, it lost to the Zulu 30 MD/LG's 47.3g and the Stratos 34's 44.7g. Next I divided price the same way: ¥935 per liter, the lowest of the three.
What gave me pause is that back length comes in just M 48cm and L 51cm. I still recommend it because it comes with a rain cover and two compartments from the start at this price. It suits people who mostly day hike.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Millet Saas-Fee NX 30+5
Lowest price on Rakuten: ¥20,999 (as of 10/13). Prices vary by shop, up to ¥28,050, and change daily.
RecommendedSee it at L-BreathSee it on Rakuten IchibaSee it on Yahoo! Shopping JapanWeight and price per liter of the 30+5
The official numbers are 1,500g, ¥28,050, and 29 wide × 65 tall × 16cm deep. No sentence on the official page explains the "+5." From the equipment field's "height-adjustable top lid," I read it as 5L stacked by raising the lid. I calculate with both 30L and 35L.
Scroll the table sideways →
| Model | Weight | Official price | Weight per liter | Price per liter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saas-Fee NX 30+5 (calculated at 30L) | 1,500g | ¥28,050 | 50.0g | ¥935 |
| Same (calculated at 35L) | 1,500g | ¥28,050 | 42.9g | ¥801 |
| Gregory Zulu 30 MD/LG (30L) | 1.42kg | ¥29,700 | 47.3g | ¥990 |
| Osprey Stratos 34 (34L) | 1.52kg | ¥34,100 | 44.7g | ¥1,003 |
Here's the weak spot. If you choose by lightness, this pack is the most disadvantaged of the three. But the weight itself is only 80g heavier than the Zulu 30 MD/LG and 20g lighter than the Stratos 34. The difference is in how much fits at the same weight.
Back length is just two: M 48cm and L 51cm
Back length is the length from the bone that sticks out most when you tilt your head forward to the line joining the tops of the left and right hip bones (Gregory's official method). This model has no mechanism to move the length, and you can choose from two in 3cm steps. This is a weak spot too.
If your back length is around 43cm, look first at the women's S, or the Stratos 34, which adjusts from 43 to 56cm.
The 30L carries the same 18 equipment items as the 40+5
I'll say this with some heat. Nothing was dropped for being the smaller one. Two compartments, a height-adjustable top lid, side access pockets to get a bottle out while wearing it, waist and shoulder pockets, even the rain cover come with it.
What to watch is that there's no zipper that opens the front wide. The fabric's "1,500mm water resistance" is also just the fabric's number, not the whole pack's. On rainy days, put the cover on and split your gear into waterproof bags.
Comparing within the Saas-Fee NX
| Model | Weight | Official price | Back length |
|---|---|---|---|
| NX 30+5 | 1,500g | ¥28,050 | M 48 / L 51cm |
| NX 30+5 W | 1,470g | ¥28,050 | S 43cm |
| NX 40+5 | 1,560g | ¥29,700 | M 48 / L 51cm |
| NX Zip 30 | 1,150g | ¥24,200 | S 43 / M 48cm |
Difference from the 40+5: 10L for 60g and ¥1,650
The 40+5 is only 60g heavier and ¥1,650 more than the 30+5. Divided by the extra 10L, that's 6g and ¥165 per liter.
On light days you can just cinch it down with the straps, so the 40+5 is the better deal if you plan to stay in huts.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Millet Saas-Fee NX 40+5
Lowest price on Rakuten: ¥23,874 (as of 10/13). Prices vary by shop, up to ¥29,700, and change daily.
RecommendedSee it at L-BreathSee it on RakutenDifference from the Zip 30: 350g
The Zip 30, also 30L, is 1,150g, 350g lighter and ¥3,850 cheaper. What you lose in exchange is the 2 compartments, the height-adjustable top lid, and the +5's 5L.
This is for people who want to see everything from the front, and people who put lightness first.
Comparing with two close ones from other makers
Gregory Zulu 30
The MD/LG is 1.42kg, 30L and ¥29,700. The Saas-Fee works out 80g heavier and ¥1,650 cheaper.
This one is for people who don't need two compartments and a lid that stacks 5L on top.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Gregory Zulu 30
Lowest price on Rakuten: ¥21,840 (as of 10/13). Prices vary by shop, up to ¥29,700, and change daily.
RecommendedSee it at L-BreathSee it on Rakuten IchibaSee it on Yahoo! Shopping JapanOsprey Stratos 34
It's only 20g heavier than the Saas-Fee, holds 4L more, and its back length can be fitted. The official store writes that the back is "built to let air through." The price is ¥6,050 higher.
For people whose back length falls between M and L, and people who want to cut back sweat first, this becomes the pick.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Osprey Stratos 34
Lowest price on Rakuten: ¥34,100 (as of 10/13). Prices vary by shop, up to ¥74,310, and change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaThe ranking lined up side by side is in hiking pack rankings around 30L, and capacity by use is in how to choose hiking pack capacity.
Who is it for?
This suits people who want a 30L with 18 items of equipment, from day hikes to hut stays. If you measure your back length and it fits the M 48cm or L 51cm, it's an easy pack to choose.
If a 20L-class pack already holds your day-hike gear, or you already own a rain cover and waterproof bags and want to put lightness first, there are other ways to choose.
FAQ
What's the difference between the Saas-Fee 30+5 and the 40+5?
If you've decided on day hikes only, the 30+5; if you might go on hut stays, the 40+5. Height and back length sizes are the same; the difference is 5cm of depth.
Can I choose the Saas-Fee NX M or L by height?
You choose by back length, not height. If you're close to 48cm, M; close to 51cm, L; and for 43cm, the women's S or the Zip 30 S are candidates.
Does the Saas-Fee NX come with a rain cover?
Yes. The official equipment field lists "rain cover," and the feature page says it's built into the rear pocket.
Gear in this article
Ad · Images: Rakuten IchibaSources
- Millet official online store: Saas-Fee NX 30+5 (MIS0756)
- Millet official online store: Saas-Fee NX 30+5 W (MIS0757)
- Millet official online store: Saas-Fee NX 40+5 (MIS0754)
- Millet official online store: Saas-Fee NX 40+5 Women's (MIS0755)
- Millet official online store: Saas-Fee NX Zip 30 (MIS0777)
- Millet official: Saas-Fee feature page
- Gregory official: Free Float Zulu 30 MD/LG
- Gregory official: Free Float Zulu 30 SM/MD
- Gregory official: How to choose a size (how to measure back length)
- Blue Sheep (Osprey's authorized importer in Japan) official store: Stratos 34
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