Lapis / Moonmist	Brilliant Blue / Moonmist

Nimbus Meridian Features

Waterproof zippers Lid converts to lumbar pack Hydration compatible Reflective material on shoulder straps and daisy chains

Granite Gear Tepex 3D Frame

Engineered Zones of Flexibility A frame that flexes like your back, but never “washes out”. Unlike a system with aluminum stays that can only flex evenly from top to bottom, our Tepex® framesheet is engineered with zones of flexibility from top to bottom. They flex easily in the area from the lower spine up into the lumbar so when you cinch your belt this zone automatically fits to your lower spinal shape. The lumbar zone is downright springy, absorbing the shock of each step. They flex laterally to accommodate your natural hip rotation. The mid back zone is semi-rigid transferring weight evenly downward toward the belt. The upper zone and head-room pocket are rigid, allowing the load lifters to pull the whole load close to your back while guaranteeing enough head-room. The Tepex® frame always returns to it’s original shape—never deforming like aluminum stays frequently do. Even Load Distribution Nimbus framesheets are molded to follow the vertical and horizontal curves of your back, eliminating pressure on your lower back muscles. Better Blood Flow and Oxygenation Through Your Back Muscles: Our frame distributes pressure more evenly over your back putting less pressure on individual areas, allowing for increased blood flow and oxygenation to your back muscles.

Outside Magazine
Gear of the Year Winner

From day hikes in canyon country to soggy treks in the Cascades to dusty runs in New Mexico, more than a dozen testers carried loads big and small-and everything in between-to find the best packs of the year. In every category, we discovered daypacks and overnighters that strike a near perfect balance between weight and performance: No pack that made the final cut weighs more than 4.5 pounds, yet none requires TLC when the going gets rough. Exhibit A: Gear of the Year winner Granite Gear Nimbus Meridian, which is as comfortable as it is tough.

By Dennis Lewon
and Justin Nyberg

1. Comfort: Go ahead, try and overload it. On treks in New Mexico's Pecos Wilderness and even ski touring in the Tetons, testers were unanimous: The Meridian carries like a champ. Credit the firm yet flexy composite framesheet that moves with your body, dual density foam in the hipbelt that cushions luxuriously, and a precision fit (both torso-size and interchangeable suspension parts) that you can dial in with a few turns of a screwdriver.

2. Versatility: It's light enough to use as a weekend pack yet big enough for a week's worth of supplies-and you won't feel you're compromising in either case. How? An array of compression straps means you can under-and overload to your heart's content, a panel zip allows instant rummaging in the main compartment, and the top lid converts to a lumbar pack for basecamp duty. Stretchy side pockets will accommodate a small sleeping pad.

3. Durability: The Meridian may weigh less than four pounds, but there's nothing gossamer about the construction. There's no easily abraded mesh to be found, and its big-toothed, water resistant zippers are sturdy and easy to operate. Siliconized ripstop nylon shaves ounces and makes the pack extremely weather-resistant-while a few key high-stress areas, like the bottom and compression panels, are made with tough 210-denier Cordura.

Outside Magazine: "Buyers Guide" Summer 2007, pg 99

Backpacker Magazine
Gear Guide 2007 - "Top Lightweight"

"Asuper-sweet lightweight pack," raved our map editor after repeat trips into Colorado's Never Summer Wilderness. Despite its minimalist look, this durable midsize handles 45-pound loads. "The hipbelt and framesheet are a lot more supportive than most packs in this category," he wrote, "so don't be afraid to carry 5 days' worth of food and gear." The shoulder straps bolt individually to a series of holes in the full length molded framesheet, offering a good 3 inches of torso adjustment in each size. That gives the Nimbus excellent stability and channels weight right to the hips, where you want it; the system also permits plentiful (though slow) adjustments for torso length and shoulder width. The removable top pocket comes with a preattached hipbelt for dayhiking. A heavy-duty vertical zipper accesses the main packbag. You can cinch loads down tightly, or lash on extras with compression straps located on both sides and the front of the packbag. Two deep, stretchy bottle pockets keep trail necessities secure and handy; we stashed our water in the internal hydration pocket.

Bacpacker Magazine: "Gear Guide 2007" March 2007, pg 31,36