When Backpacker magazine bestowed a 2006 Editors' Choice Award on the Arc'teryx Naos 55 Backpack, they didn't just admire the ingenious construction within the confines of some trade show booth, they took it out into the real world to make sure it lived up to the hype. Testers used it in the backcountry and concluded that the innovative design is truly remarkable. The Load Transfer Disc really does allow the hipbelt to pivot freely so that the hips and buttocks are not locked into a rigid system and forced to slightly lift the pack with every step. They also learned that the weatherproofing truly does compare favorably to a drybag, and that the bonded Advanced Composite Construction is not just some fancy name but a durable way to laminate the pack bag, shoulder harness, and hipbelt together into a low-profile, weight saving package. The Arc'teryx Naos 55 Backpack is a great all-purpose pack. The side compression straps hold skis securely, the incredible suspension is worthy of extended outings that start out with the pack crammed beyond capacity, and the watertight construction is great for canyoneering routes where wading, swimming, and rappelling through waterfalls is expected.
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