The Neon 45 is, as the name sugggests, a 45 litre crag pack - and that's really the ideal capacity for a day on the rock. It has received a lot of attention when I've been using it this summer, and not just at the crag - my girlfriend wants to steal it for holiday backpacking. It's an attractive looking bag but aside from appearance it's served me well when cragging, with its functional design, tough build quality and easy-to-access main compartment.

The Neon is available in 45L and 55L sizes, both coming in men's and women's versions. We think the 45 is adequate for a day at the crag.

In Use

Although its weight and design clearly separate it from a traditional mountain pack, this bag still provides the straightforward experience of a top-access, stuffable pack - with added benefits. Its wide, flat bottom lets it stand on its own, and the oversized top zippered opening provides an easy dropzone for gear. While some prefer suitcase-like designs with multiple compartments and full-body zippers, I value the no-nonsense packing experience of the Neon 45.

You still have some compartmentalisation with a large underhood pocket to separate and store items like lunch and guidebook. The mesh design allows me to see what I'm grabbing without having to rummage around. For valuables or quick-access items, the smaller top pocket in the hood provides additional separation and convenience.

At the crag, accessing the bag is easiest by unzipping the back panel, which provides full visibility of items without unpacking everything. This method also reduces the risk of misplacing items on the ground while pulling gear out to reach the bottom.

Weight and toughness

Build quality is excellent. The main material is a tough polyamide chosen for its durability, which I guess does add a bit of weight. On the home scales I get 1430g, which is a good 70g less than what Mammut state! It's built to handle years of rough use, whether you're cragging, tossing it through airports, or loading it into cars.

Comfort

In terms of comfort, my experience has been positive. You get one back length, as seems standard for packs of this sort, so shorter builds might suffer a bit comfort wise. The padded hipbelt, shoulder straps, and breathable foam back panel keep me comfortable and reduce sweating. Adjustable straps (shoulder, chest and hip) ensure even load distribution for a pleasant walking experience. Even when stuffed to 45 litre capacity, the back panel avoids bulging and discomfort on my back.

While competitors like the Rab Outcast 44 may offer slightly better comfort with their more padded hipbelts, comfort isn't my top priority for a cragging pack. If my local crag was Céüse with an hour uphill every day, I might feel differently. However, living in the glorious central belt of Scotland (where the cragging is far superior), walk-ins are more manageable and I find this pack comfortable enough for that. Perhaps it's less ideal for long mountain crag approaches, where a dedicated mountain pack would come into its own.

Features

The bag's features are generally well thought-out, though I personally would prefer one or two additional features (you may or may not agree, depending on preference).

The rope bag is minimalist, well-sized, and easy to transport with its two tape handles. Quickdraw and gear storage loops are effective for organizing equipment, allowing neat storage, and easy access from the back panel.

The design obviously has travel in mind. The side handles make it easy to pick up and carry - in the airport for instance; a water bladder sleeve can double for laptop storage; and it's sized well for storing in overhead flight compartments.

An additional side strap or mesh pocket would have been helpful on each side to properly secure a clipstick, or to store a water bottle for easy access.

Ethics and environment

The Neon 45 is a bluesign and Fair Wear product. 

Summary

Over the summer and autumn rock season I've really enjoyed using the Neon 45. Its large main compartment with back panel access makes it easy to pack and unpack for a hassle-free day at the crag. Some may prefer a more suitcase style crag bag but I really like the benefit of both top-down stuffable and back panel-opening for easy access. It's well sized for taking a lot into a crag or indeed for travelling to the likes of a European sport trip. Its solid build quality suggets years of reliable service, so you may not need to buy another crag pack for a long time. If there were one improvement, I'd like to add a mesh side pocket for a water bottle and clipstick. All in all though, this is an excellent climbing pack.