The renowned backpack manufacturer Bach Equipment is breaking new ground. With the Molecule 50 and the Quark 30, she has developed two lightweight backpacks for trekking and climbing. We have carried the two heavily weight-optimized models on tours several times. They are a successful mixture of the usual Bach wearing comfort, lightness and functionality.
Produced for four decades Bach Backpacks that literally go around the world. Bach Equipment is breaking new ground with the Molecule 50 trekking backpack and the Quark 30 hiking and climbing backpack. Spoiler: Even if the two lightweight backpacks are significantly lighter, you don't have to do without the usual carrying comfort. However, like so many other things, the back plate can be removed if you want to travel even lighter.
Video: The philosophy behind the new lightweight backpacks
Bach Molecule 50: Perfect for multi-day tours
The 50-liter trekking backpack Molecule is the largest in Bach's lightweight series. It weighs 1100 grams but can be slimmed down to well under a kilogram for situations where every gram counts. And here we are with a central feature of the new Bach backpacks: These are modular so that they can be individually adapted to the characteristics of the planned tour.
Removable parts
With the Molecule 50, the lid (110 grams), hip belt pocket (25 grams), back plate (150 grams) and cords (3 Ã 15 grams) can be removed, resulting in a weight saving of 300 grams - more than a quarter of the total weight. But you will probably only do without the back plate in an emergency, as it is a central feature of the Bach backpacks and at the same time guarantees a high level of carrying comfort.
Diverse mounting options - expandable by 15 liters
What the attentive observer also notices are the missing compression straps. Bach relies on reflective paracord here, which, combined with the daisy chains distributed over the entire backpack, offers a variety of attachment options. Additional equipment such as a climbing rope, crampons, pickaxe or mats can be attached to the puristic single-chamber backpack.
These features and its size make the Bach Molecule 50 the perfect companion for multi-day tours. One important thing should be mentioned: the trekking backpack has a roll-top closure with a zip. This has the advantage that you can conjure up 15 liters of extra volume out of nothing.
Molecule 50: The lightweight trekking backpack at a glance
- 1100 gram light trekking backpack
- Height adjustable, removable lid
- Roll top with zip for 15 liters of extra volume
- Cords for versatile attachment of equipment
- Modular design, detachable parts
- Available in three colors (black, yellow curry, rivera blue)
- Application range: 8 to 18 kilograms
- 2 different back lengths available (regular, long)
Bach Quark 30: Lightweight climbing backpack
With a pack volume of 30 liters, the Quark is the smaller brother of the Molecule 50. At 870 grams, it is also a very light hiking and climbing backpack whose weight can also be reduced. It also shares central features such as the height-adjustable and removable lifting lid, the roll-top closure with zip or the two mesh side pockets with the largest model in the lightweight series.
With the three reflective cords, everything you need for a successful climbing or hiking day can be attached to the backpack. When it comes to the material, Bach uses robust yet very light nylon, which is additionally reinforced at critical points.
But Bach has not only remained true to the quality requirements with regard to the materials used. The backpack specialist also relies on the tried-and-tested PE back plate when it comes to carrying comfort – probably the most important element of a backpack.
Quark 30: super light climbing and hiking backpack at a glance
- 870 grams
- Height-adjustable and removable lid
- Roll top with zip for 10 liters of extra volume
- Cords for versatile attachment of equipment
- Modular design, detachable parts
- Application range: 4 to 14 kilograms
- Two sizes available (regular, long)
- Available in three colors (black, yellow curry, rivera blue)
+ + +
Credits: Cover picture Lars Schneider Visuals