NatureHike 60+10 Nylon Backpack Review: Light Materials, Heavy Compromises

Introduction

NatureHike’s 60+10 nylon backpack is aimed at hikers who want a lightweight, generously sized pack without spending much. It carries a retail price of $110 and is commonly available for around $90, which puts it up against entry-level polyester packs that are heavier and less durable. The specification list is genuinely promising: nylon fabric, YKK zippers, and a rigid internal frame that gives the bag real structure. On paper, it looks like solid value.

In practice, the picture changes once the pack is on your back, because nearly every complaint about this design traces back to the same place: the harness. This review covers what the pack gets right, where the harness and fit fall apart, and who, if anyone, should consider buying it.

The headline numbers are straightforward. The 60+10 nylon version weighs 2.5 lb and measures 26.3 in by 10.2 in with a depth of 7 in. Maximum loadout is rated at 30.8 lb. NatureHike offers it in gray, which the brand lists as black, and in blue. Two other versions exist: a 40+10 and a second 60+10 built from a different fabric, both with their own prices and weights.

Who this product is for

NatureHike markets this as a unisex pack for men and women. The sternum strap placement works against that claim. It sits low, roughly level with the bottom of the chest, which is uncomfortable for men and considerably worse for women, since the strap lands across the bust rather than below it. Pushing it down or hiking with it unfastened both cause problems: without the strap the harness flares outward and the load shifts around.

The fit window is also narrow. The gap between the two shoulder straps at the neck measures roughly 3 in, and the torso length is built for someone in the 18 to 20 in range, a figure NatureHike does not publish. Taller and shorter hikers are likely to find the pack does not sit correctly, and the harness issues compound any fit mismatch. This is a pack for a specific body type in a specific size range, and even within that group it is difficult to recommend.

Main strengths

The overall build quality is good for the money. You get nylon rather than the polyester found on many packs in the same price bracket, plus YKK zippers, clean stitching, and a generally well-made bag. Compared with cheaper polyester options, the fabric here is stronger and more durable, which makes it a reasonably capable ultralight pack on materials alone.

The frame deserves credit too. At about an inch thick, it is very rigid, and it provides a solid foundation for packing gear inside the bag. For an ultralight design, that kind of structure is genuinely useful.

Capacity is the next strength. At 60+10 liters there is a lot of room, and the expandability is real, though it goes upward rather than outward. This is a narrow, long pack, and the extra 10 liters extend straight up. The shoulder harness pocket is big enough for a phone. The compression straps on the sides and across the top work well, letting you cinch the load down or lash on trekking poles, a tripod, or similar gear.

The large mesh front pocket is a standout. It is genuinely huge and ideal for stashing wet gear away from everything else. A rain cover is included as well, and it does its job.

Design and Feature Walkthrough

The layout starts with a roll-top closure, secured by two compression cords that run over the top, each with its own buckle. Across the body of the pack there is a compression strap that can be used or stowed in the hydration pockets, and the sides carry additional compression straps with buckles.

Both sides have a hydration pocket, each with its own drainage hole. On the front, the oversized mesh pocket sits over a smaller zippered pocket with a lip that connects to the top compression straps. Shock cord with draw pulls runs along the sides, and loops at the bottom allow trekking poles or similar items to be stowed. The base of the pack has a drainage grommet plus a zipper that houses the included rainfly.

The pack is hydration compatible, with ports on both sides and two loops for routing a hose. On the left side there is a pocket sewn into the harness for a phone or water bottle, and it cannot be removed. Below it sits the sternum strap, followed by the usual adjustment points.

The back panel uses very dense foam, which contributes much of the pack’s rigidity, along with a small section of lumbar padding. The waist belt includes a pocket on each side, a buckle, and further adjustment. Inside, the bag is extremely simple: one open cavity with no sleeves, no pockets, and no dedicated sleeping bag compartment.

Things to consider before buying

The harness is the central problem. With only about 3 in of space between the two shoulder straps, the harness spreads apart when you put the pack on and presses into the sides of the neck. The padding is thick, stiff, and rough, so the pressure is abrasive. Because the straps have to pull away from each other, the back of the pack is pushed away from your body as well. It is only tolerable over a jacket or sweater; against a bare shirt it rubs. Even loaded with nothing but a sleeping bag, the pressure is noticeable.

Torso length is a second concern. Built for roughly 18 to 20 in, it excludes a large share of hikers, and the brand publishes no torso measurement to check against. If you are tall or short, the pack is unlikely to fit properly.

The sternum strap is the most frustrating detail. It sits very low, and it cannot be raised because the phone and bottle pocket is sewn directly into the harness, leaving only downward adjustment. Reports also exist of packs arriving without a sternum strap at all, and the strap is what keeps the load stable, so a missing one means buying or making a replacement. For men the strap is uncomfortable; for women it is worse, because it crosses directly over the chest.

Storage details let the design down further. The hip belt pockets are very small and tighten up once the belt is cinched, so most phones and keys will not fit, though a protein bar might. The harness pocket works for a phone, but small water bottles require two hands to replace, which makes it impractical as a hydration pocket. Inside, there is no hydration sleeve and no clips to secure a bladder, so a bladder has to sit on top of your gear, which is not a workable arrangement. Bottles carried on the sides are also effectively unreachable while the pack is worn; you have to take the pack off.

Ventilation is poor. The back panel is completely flat, so moisture has nowhere to go. On a hot day, once your shirt gets wet, it stays wet.

Buying advice

At around $90, the materials, frame, compression straps, mesh pocket, and included rain cover are all reasonable. The harness, the narrow torso range, and the sternum strap are what make this pack hard to justify. For most buyers, the better decision is to look at another pack in the same price range rather than work around these limitations.

If you do decide to buy, there are a few things worth confirming first. Check that a sternum strap is actually included, since not every unit ships with one. Verify that the torso length and the roughly 3 in harness gap suit your build, and expect to wear a jacket or sweater underneath. Do not plan on carrying a hydration bladder, and treat the side bottle pockets as storage rather than quick-access.

Conclusion

The NatureHike 60+10 nylon backpack is a case of good materials and a good frame attached to a harness that undermines the whole product. The capacity, compression system, front mesh pocket, and rain cover are all sound, and the build quality is fair for the price. But the neck-level harness pressure, the very specific torso range, the fixed low sternum strap, and the missing hydration sleeve are design decisions that most hikers will feel on every trip. Buyers looking for a lightweight pack in this price bracket have better options to consider first.