Mountainsmith CONA 45

The Mountainsmith CONA 45 is a 45-liter pack aimed at both trail and travel use, built on dual aluminum stays with a ventilated, tensioned mesh back panel. The main compartment is reached via a top lid or a front panel J-zip, backed by one front pocket, two side pockets, and two ice axe loops for shoulder-season trips. Shell fabric is 420D Carbonate nylon ripstop with a PU coating, heavier and more abrasion-resistant than the ultralight end of the category, which shows in the 2155-gram weight — nearly 48 grams per liter of capacity, among the heaviest ratios in this pack lineup. Chest strap, load lifters, and a padded hip belt with pockets round out the carry system, and the pack is hydration-compatible though it lacks an integrated rain cover. Mountainsmith backs the CONA 45 with a lifetime warranty, and its stated use spans multi-day trekking, thru-hiking, and travel — though at over 2 kg it leans toward durability and general-purpose carrying rather than ultralight thru-hiking weights.