Nashville Packs Cutaway 40L

Nashville Packs Cutaway 40L – Ultralight Modular Backpack

The Nashville Packs Cutaway 40L is an ultralight, frameless backpack designed for thru-hiking, long-distance hiking, and hikers who want to keep their pack weight down without sacrificing comfort, accessibility, or functionality.

The Cutaway is Nashville Packs’ flagship model and is characterized by its modular carrying system, its large wrap-around exterior pocket, and the ability to access almost all storage compartments without taking the backpack off.

We’re stocking the Cutaway 40L in two materials: 210D Venom Gridstop ECO and the even lighter Aluula Graflyte V98.

Please note: The Cutaway 40L is sold without a hip belt. For those who want extra support, the Nashville Packs Padded Hip Belt is available as an optional accessory in several sizes. See related products further down the page.

Award-Winning Design

Nashville Packs’ Cutaway has garnered attention from several well-known figures in the lightweight and long-distance hiking communities and has received the following awards, among others:

• The Trek – Best Gear Award 2024
• SectionHiker – Top Pick
• Adventure Alan & Co – Best Gear Award
• GearLab – Top Pick 2024

Two Materials

Venom Gridstop ECO is a durable woven fabric made from recycled nylon reinforced with a UHMWPE grid. It offers an excellent combination of light weight, durability, and flexibility.

• 210D recycled nylon
• 200D UHMWPE reinforcement in a 3 mm grid
• Fabric weight: approximately 153 g/m²
• PFC- and PFAS-free C0 DWR
• Polyester-based PU coating

Aluula Graflyte V98 is an extremely lightweight 2-layer laminate with a 100% UHMWPE outer layer. It’s the perfect choice for those who want to further reduce the weight of their backpack.

• 2-layer laminate
• 100% UHMWPE outer layer
• PE film laminate
• Material weight: approximately 98 g/m²
• Approximately 43–57 grams lighter than the equivalent Cutaway in Venom

Designed for accessibility

The Cutaway is built so you can access most of what you need without stopping to take off your backpack.

The large, wraparound outer pocket is accessible from the sides, and the bottom pocket’s opening faces the user, allowing you to reach it with both hands while on the move.

Hybrid Vest Straps

Instead of traditional shoulder straps, the Cutaway features Nashville Packs’ wide Hybrid Vest Straps. They help distribute the load across a larger portion of the upper body while providing several easily accessible storage pockets on the front.

Back length and the size of the Hybrid Vest Straps are selected separately. This allows for a more precise fit tailored to your body.

Size Guide

1. Select back length

Measure from the C7 vertebra at the base of the neck down the back to the point where you want the hip belt to sit.

If you don’t plan to use a hip belt, the same measurement can be used as a starting point for where you want the bottom of the backpack to sit.

• 16" – approximately 41 cm
• 18" – approximately 46 cm
• 20" – approximately 51 cm

Between two sizes? If you plan to use a hip belt, Nashville Packs recommends choosing the larger size. Without a hip belt, you can choose the smaller size if you want the backpack to sit higher and sit more freely away from your hips and seat.

Video – How to Choose the Right Back Length

2. Choose Hybrid Vest Straps

Hybrid Vest Straps are selected separately from the backpack’s back length.

To find the right size, measure along the path the shoulder strap will follow. Start roughly at the bottom of your sternum, go across the center of your shoulder, and back to the wall at the level of the top of your shoulder.

• 16" – 41 cm
• 17.5" – 44.5 cm
• 19" – 48 cm
• 20.5" – 52 cm

If you fall between two sizes, Nashville Packs recommends choosing the larger one.

Video – How to Choose the Right Hybrid Vest Straps

3. Padded Hip Belt – optional

The Cutaway 40L is sold without a hip belt. The Nashville Packs Padded Hip Belt is available as an optional accessory for those who want to shift some of the load from their shoulders to their hips.

Measure your waist at the height where the hip belt will actually sit. Do not use your pants size, as it often differs from the actual measurement.

• Small: 71–97 cm
• Medium: 81–107 cm
• Large: 91–122 cm

If you fall between two sizes, Nashville Packs recommends choosing the larger size to get more padding around your hips.

The Padded Hip Belt is not included with the backpack—see related products.

Modular System

The Cutaway is minimalist in its basic design and can be expanded as needed. In addition to the Padded Hip Belt, options include hip belt pockets and other accessories.

The modular system also means that, for example, the Hybrid Vest Straps can be replaced separately if they wear out or if you want to change the size.

Specifications

• Model: Nashville Packs Cutaway 40L
• Total internal volume: approximately 43 liters
• Recommended maximum load: 11.5 kg
• Venom Gridstop ECO: approximately 468 g*
• Aluula Graflyte V98: approximately 43–57 g lighter*
• Back lengths: 16", 18", and 20"
• Hybrid Vest Straps: 16", 17.5", 19", and 20.5"
• Hip belt: Not included
• Padded Hip Belt: Available as an option
• Handcrafted in Tennessee, USA

*Weight is approximate and varies depending on back length, shoulder strap size, and configuration.

Who is the Nashville Packs Cutaway 40L best suited for?

The Cutaway 40L is best suited for those who already pack relatively light and are looking for an ultralight hiking backpack for longer trips, thru-hikes, and multi-day hikes.

The combination of low weight, excellent accessibility, and the ability to choose the back length and shoulder straps separately makes the Cutaway particularly appealing to hikers who want to fine-tune the fit.