Light, Tough, and Rain-Resistant! Montbell's "Altiplano Pack" Is the Ultimate Roll-Top Backpack.

Move with ease, from the mountains to the city streets. And there's no need to panic when sudden rain hits. This year, mont-bell released the "Altiplano Pack," a roll-top backpack born from the pursuit of "stay-dry lightness."

While it looks simple at first glance, its design is infused with the "Light & Fast" philosophy that has been a cornerstone of the brand since its founding. How did Montbell's ingenuity and technology transform waterproofing tech honed in mountaineering into an easy-to-use feature for everyday life? We spoke with PR representative Hosako about its origins.

The Goal: The "Lightest Ever" Roll-Top Backpack

The inspiration for the "Altiplano Pack" came from users who wanted a roll-top backpack that was 'light, highly waterproof, and easy to handle.'

Montbell first launched its roll-top backpack series, the "Alpine Pack," back in 2018.

"The roll-top design, where you just roll the opening and secure it, allows for quicker access to the main compartment than conventional top-lid (rain flap) models. Another advantage is that there are fewer parts, which means fewer potential points of failure," he says.

While the design's ease of use and high water resistance were well-received, there was a growing demand from users for an even lighter model. To meet this demand, development began on the Altiplano Pack as a lightweight roll-top option.

The Main Material: The Brand's Proprietary Ballistic Nylon

The challenge for the development team was how to strike the perfect balance between lightness, strength, and water resistance. Their first step was a thorough pursuit of weight reduction.

The key to its lightness was the Ballistic nylon used for the body.

Despite using a thin 30-denier fabric for the main body and 100-denier for the bottom, the material achieves approximately twice the tear strength of conventional nylon of the same weight, thanks to a stretching process applied at the yarn stage and its ripstop structure.

"A roll-top design inherently has fewer parts, which naturally makes it lighter. Furthermore, the back panel is removable, allowing for even greater weight savings," he explains.

The 30-liter model weighs a mere 548g—about the same as a 500ml water bottle. This makes the Altiplano Pack the lightest of all Montbell's roll-top backpacks.

What gives this lightweight backpack its waterproof quality is the built-in Aqua Barrier Sack.

"The main Ballistic nylon fabric has some water repellency, but it's not completely waterproof. To enhance its waterproof capabilities, we incorporated an Aqua Barrier Sack made of urethane-coated ripstop nylon."

This inner bag, designed to fit the backpack's shape perfectly, features seam-taped stitching to ensure a high level of airtightness.

"The opening is designed to minimize water entry by rolling it at least twice. On top of that, the Aqua Barrier Sack effectively blocks any moisture that gets past, protecting your gear even in bad weather."

Smart Details Everywhere for Enhanced Usability

So, how does it perform as a hiking backpack in terms of usability and functionality? The waist belt, which helps distribute the load on your hips during hikes, can be tucked away into the main body for lighter loads or for city use. This versatility allows you to adapt how you carry the pack depending on your needs.

The back features a removable cushioned pad. Its surface is made with highly breathable 3D mesh, designed to release heat and moisture that often build up on your back.

"We've added a front pocket for easy access to essentials like trail snacks and maps, along with side pockets to secure bottles and other small items."

The interior also features a pocket with a key leash.

A Lightweight Backpack Fusing the Best of Two Major Series

As previously mentioned, Montbell's roll-top backpacks trace their origins to the 2018 "Alpine Pack." Meanwhile, for users seeking even lighter gear, the brand has offered the top-lid lightweight series, the "Versalite Pack."

The Altiplano Pack is a "best-of-both-worlds" model, combining the waterproof construction of the Alpine Pack with the lightweight materials of the Versalite Pack. While it's built with performance capable of handling serious mountaineering, its lightness and ease of use have made it a popular choice for everyday urban use as well.

Lightweight, strong, and waterproof. How can these three essential elements of mountaineering gear be achieved at the highest level? The Altiplano Pack is Montbell's answer to this challenge.

The lightness and durability of Ballistic nylon, combined with the waterproofness from its dual roll-top and Aqua Barrier Sack construction—all are an extension of Montbell's long-standing "Light & Fast" design philosophy.

The ability to move freely and lightly, without worrying about rain, whether you're in the mountains or the city. Montbell has entrusted this simple, yet reliable, value to this backpack.