Nemo Persist 30L Endless Promise Daypack Review

Nemo is best known for their tents and sleep systems, but they’ve made quite the splash in the daypack market in the last couple years. Their latest offering is the Persist, which is available in 30- and 45-liter capacities in both men’s and women’s designs. We recently brought the smaller women’s model to Wyoming for testing and came away with very high praise regarding carrying comfort, organization, and attention to detail. It’s a pretty techy design and expensive at over $200, but overall build quality lines up with the price. Below we break down our experiences with the Persist 30L. To see how it stacks up to the competition, check out our articles on the best daypacks and best women’s daypacks.

Editor’s note: The photos in this review feature a pre-production sample of the Persist 30L. Nemo tweaked a couple features before finalizing the design, and we’ve called out notable differences in our review below.
 

Table of Contents

• Carrying Comfort
• Weight
• Ventilation
• Weather Protection
• Pockets and Organization
• Build Quality and Durability
• Fit and Sizing
• What We Like/What We Don't
• Comparison Table
• The Competition

Performance

Carrying Comfort

The Nemo Persist 30L Endless Promise was remarkably comfortable from day one. I took the brand new pack straight to Wyoming’s Wind River Range with a lot of layers and gear in tow, and it handled the full load with aplomb. The CCubed cushioning that covers most of the backpanel, shoulder straps, and hipbelt are extremely plush with a good deal of squish, and the perforated, mesh-like material does a good job keeping air moving. There is a bit of a learning curve with the unique hipbelt design—which requires threading a metal buckle through a plastic receiver, then pressing down to lock it in place—but the belt itself does a nice job taking the brunt of your load. Nemo doesn’t list a weight limit for the pack, but the internal frame—combined with the quality suspension system, including load lifter straps—has proven plenty supportive, even on gear-intensive day hikes that nearly maxed out the 30-liter capacity.
 

Weight

The women’s Persist 30L clocked in at 3 pounds 1.1 ounces on my scale, matching Nemo’s listed weight of 3 pounds 1 ounce. I never felt like the Persist was overly hefty on the trail, but it’s simply not a weight leader in the daypack market. For reference, Nemo’s larger Resolve 35L checks in lighter at 2 pounds 12 ounces for the women’s version, while the even bigger REI Co-op Trail 40 is also 2 pounds 12 ounces. And you can go much lighter with streamlined packs like Black Diamond’s Distance 22 (14.3 oz.), which is mountain-ready like the Persist but much more pared-down with a running vest-like design that omits a hipbelt. In the end, I feel the Persist’s weight is well spent, especially on all-day outings that take advantage of the cushy comfort and solid suspension system. For fast-and-light objectives with a streamlined kit, however, designs like the Distance make more sense.
 

Ventilation

The Nemo Persist 30L is a solid breather, in my experience. The CCubed cushioning and wraparound DryWing backpanel do a good job wicking sweat, and I’ve had zero issues with overheating in shoulder-season to summer-like temperatures. Our trip to Wyoming took place in early September, with temps reaching into the low 70s Fahrenheit on the outing shown in the photos throughout this review. Despite very little shade, I remained perfectly comfortable throughout the day. It was a similar story on subsequent shoulder-season outings in Moab, Utah and Red Rock Canyon outside of Las Vegas, both of which included slightly warmer but windier weather. I’ll follow up if there are any issues once we get into the heart of summer, but all signs point to ventilation being excellent.
 

Weather Protection

Most of the body of the pack is made with Nemo’s proprietary Cero fabric, which is made from recycled polyester and touted as being both very strong and highly water-resistant. I’m happy to report that both claims seem accurate: The pack is indeed very durable (which I cover below), and it’s also protective enough to fend off moderate moisture without soaking through. I subjected the Persist to a shower test since we didn’t experience any rain on our trip to Wyoming, and the exterior deftly fended off the steady stream for several minutes. I even let water pool in certain areas, expecting the fabric to grow dark from moisture, but it beaded up and rolled right off. Nemo goes so far as to say the Cero fabric is “20x more water-resistant than the industry standard,” which is a hard claim to substantiate, but it’s impressively hydrophobic and trustworthy enough that I have no hesitations about taking the pack on hikes in all-day rain (although my preference, no surprise, is 60s and sunny). 
 

Pockets and Organization

Organization abounds with the Persist 30L. There are a total of seven exterior pockets: two side pockets, a top lid pocket with a key clip, dual zippered pockets on the shoulder straps (reminiscent of a running vest), and two hipbelt pockets—one zippered and one that features a deployable mesh water bottle holder. The lid pocket is generously sized and easily swallows a phone, satellite messenger, energy bar, and small valuables. The zippered hipbelt pocket is also very large and phone-friendly, and the deployable mesh pouch at the other side is a truly unique addition. I’ll admit I was a bit perplexed by its purpose the first time I donned the pack, but I ended up finding it quite useful for keeping water handy on exposed stretches of trail. You can also fit a bottle in either of the side pockets. My pre-production sample only featured one rigid side pocket that couldn’t fit more than a narrow Smartwater bottle, but the production model swaps in two larger pockets with panels of stretchy mesh, allowing them each to fit a 32-ounce Nalgene.
 

The main compartment is easy to access via a large U-shaped opening, which extends farther down on one side (almost to the base of the pack). This makes it pretty easy to quickly retrieve items buried at the bottom of the pack without having to rifle around aimlessly. There’s also a divider in the main compartment that connects to the underside of the lid, with an adjustable buckle slider for expanding or shrinking the space. The divider isn’t removable, which makes it a little tougher to fit bulkier items in the main compartment, but a bit of thought during the packing process will go a long way. Like most daypacks, the Persist also features a sleeve along the backpanel for stashing a hydration reservoir, along with a webbing loop to suspend it and a port through which you can feed the bladder tube. Finally, the exterior of the pack boasts multiple compression straps and lash points for securing gear externally, including a handy daisy chain system at the front.
 

Build Quality and Durability

Nemo is known for their quality and attention to detail, and the Persist 30L is yet another thoughtfully designed pack. Everything has a very sturdy and substantial feel, from the abrasion-resistant Cero fabric covering most of the exterior to the squishy CCubed cushioning that has maintained its plush feel throughout testing. Even the mesh components and accents have a very confidence-inspiring feel, as do the zippers, straps, and other adjustment points. After extensive use, I’ve found no obvious areas of weakness, and my pack looks almost as good as it did on day one, which bodes very well for long-term durability.
 

Fit and Sizing

The Nemo Persist 30L is offered in a single size, which worked well for me (for reference, I’m 5’6” and around 135 lb.). There’s a handy torso adjustment system for fine-tuning fit (between 15 and 19 in.), which is comprised of Velcro along the inside of the shoulder straps that allows you to move them up or down. Nemo also included handy indicators that clearly display which size you’re at when moving the straps up or down. I set the straps at my usual size small on day one of testing and haven’t had to make any further adjustments. The hipbelt can’t be moved like the shoulder straps, but there’s a good deal of webbing to work with, allowing it to fit waists from 30 to 50 inches. Finally, as I touched on above, there are load lifter straps for bringing the weight closer to your body, which help considerably with dialing in fit and comfort.
 

Sustainability

Nemo is at the forefront of the sustainability push in the outdoor industry, and the Persist 30L is part of their growing Endless Promise collection. Products with this designation are made with total recyclability in mind, from production to end of life. Additionally, the Persist features recycled fabrics, including both the Cero polyester material covering most of the pack and the plush CCubed cushioning. The Cero fabrics are also solution-dyed, a process that requires less water and energy use compared to standing dyeing practices. Taken together, it’s another win on the sustainability front from Nemo.
 

Other Versions of the Nemo Persist

I brought the women’s Persist 30L to Wyoming for testing, and there’s also a men’s version available for the same price. In parsing out the differences, the men’s Persist 30L checks in a couple ounces heavier than the women’s version and fits larger torsos (from 17 to 21 in.) and waists (from 31 to 51 in.) but has an identical storage layout and overall construction. The Persist collection also includes a larger 45-liter capacity, which is sold in both men’s and women’s styles. Apart from offering an additional 15 liters of storage space, the Persist 45L is pricier at $260, heavier at 3 pounds 7 ounces for the women’s version, features a drawcord opening to the main compartment, has an additional pocket running down the front of the pack, and boasts a removable top lid that can be left behind if you don’t need the space.
 

What We Like

• Standout carrying comfort thanks to Nemo’s squishy CCubed cushioning and an internal frame that provides excellent support, even with a full load.
• Built with a clear attention to detail, from the tough fabrics to the thoughtful organization layout and quality components.
• Easy to distribute a full load with a variety of exterior pockets, plenty of lash points, and a large main compartment that’s easy to access via the U-shaped opening.
• Backpanel allows for great airflow, even in warmer temperatures.
• Made with a keen eye toward sustainability.

What We Don’t

• Expensive at $230 for the 30-liter version and $260 for the 45-liter capacity.
• Overbuilt for casual day hikers—this is a tech-heavy, comfort-focused pack for shuttling full loads into the mountains.
• On the heavier end at over 3 pounds, although the capable suspension system and durable construction are certainly selling points.
• Only offered in a single size, although the torso adjustment system makes it easy to fine-tune fit for those within the 15- to 19-inch range.
• Divider inside the main compartment is nice for separating wet or dirty items but makes it tougher to fit bulkier gear.

Comparison Table

The Competition

The Persist is a truly innovative addition to the daypack market and stands out for its top-notch comfort, practical organization, and build quality. For a step down in price, we also like Nemo’s Resolve daypack, which is sold in 15, 25, and 35-liter capacities. While a little smaller than the Persist, we think the Resolve 25L strikes a nice middle ground for a lot of day hikers: It’s more affordable than the Persist at $180, considerably lighter at 2 pounds 5 ounces for the women’s version, and shares the squishy CCubed cushioning that we love. You also get a pretty healthy storage layout inside and out, including five exterior pockets, along with a robust suspension system that does a good job distributing a full load. The Persist wins out in capacity, breathability, and storage—we especially like the running vest-like pockets on the shoulder straps—making it a nice upgrade for those who anticipate using the added space and features. 
 

For an even budget-friendlier alternative, REI Co-op’s Trail 40 ($149) offers excellent carrying comfort and support for full loads. It’s not nearly as techy as the Persist, but casual day hikers will appreciate the generous storage layout, durable materials, and capacity for the price. The Trail 40 also checks in lighter than the Persist and is sold in three sizes compared to the Nemo’s one, although you don’t get an adjustment system for tweaking the torso length, resulting in the Persist being able to span a slightly wider range than all three sizes of the REI combined. In the end, the two packs appeal to different user groups: Budget-minded and occasional hikers will find a lot to like with the Trail 40, while the Persist is a decidedly technical option for mountain adventures that demand a higher level of performance.

Finally, we’d be remiss not to compare the Persist to an Osprey alternative, as the brand dominates the daypack space. Their Tempest (and men’s Talon) collection has been a longtime staff favorite and spawned a couple variations over the years, including the also-techy Tempest Velocity 30. Like the Persist, the Tempest Velocity features running vest-like pockets along the shoulder straps for easy access while on the move (the Osprey’s can fit 500ml soft flasks), and we’re big fans of Osprey’s AirScape backpanel for keeping air flowing. It’s also $30 cheaper than the Nemo and around a pound lighter to boot, although it’s decidedly more streamlined with thinner fabrics. The Tempest Velocity also features a more basic framesheet that offers less support than the Persist’s steel frame when shuttling a full load. Both are nice technical packs, and a final decision may come down to which fits your body best (the Osprey has a slightly wider torso range between the two sizes).
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