Organize gear exactly how you want: The Mammut Neon Smart’s clever design literally opens up more options than traditional backpacks. We tested the sport climbing pack over four months to find out how it performs.
My quickdraws go on this sling, water bottle there, my tape in that pocket. I’m gearing up for another day of sport climbing on Minnesota’s limestone bluffs with the Neon Smart on my back.
Announced last summer and launched this spring, the $130 Neon Smart is designed for sport climbing and day trips. The pack functions as an organizational freak’s dream, with designated pockets and loops for a day’s worth of gear.
Unzip the pack, and the standout design component comes to life. The pack unzips entirely, from top to bottom. Fully unzipped, you have access to all your gear, even if you shoved your harness at the very bottom. (Every. Single. Time.) And best of all, laid flat, the pack doubles as a rope tarp.
In short: We tested the Neon Smart in Minnesota and Colorado on sport climbing trips and trad climbing days. The Neon Smart delivers as a single-day pack, carries weight comfortably, and holds up to rock abrasions. Caveats are its limited rope carry function and lack of waist straps and exterior lash points.
Mammut Neon Smart Backpack Review
The Neon Smart has one main zipper opening, which goes around the side and bottom of the pack. When unzipped, the pack lays flat — a cool feature that lets you access the pack’s contents very easily.