Arc'teryx Veilance Nomin Pack V2 Review (2 Weeks of Use) 

I was casually watching, drinking my coffee, doing stuff on my other computer and then I heard $800 and almost spit my coffee out. WTF?

There is a lot of information missing from this video. And it context, would help explain why this bag is $800. Arcteryx is an already expensive brand on itself, Veilance is their top tier uber urban premium tier of the Arcteryx umbrella, which is even more expensive. Veilance is not for everyone. Their a few mythological designers associated with this brand. It's mostly for that tech wear community, where design, technology, and future all meets up. The bags in this space are uber expensive. What makes this bag $800: 1. Made in Canada (the labor cost is similar to or higher than made in USA) 2. The tools and machines used in the process of making this bag; you have the AC2 material, and etc. which is developed and produced in-house. They used heat bonding, HF welding, hot seam taping equipment - which is so far very expensive tools, and only recently coming down in price due to the demand and supply of the pandemic. You know making surgical or n95 face mask. 3. The patterning is very intricate, with a lot of curves - which most brands don't do - because of the cost associated with it to produce it. A lot of steps, with each step there is an associated cost. If Peak Design, Aer, or any other brand tried to replicate this with traditional manufacturing techniques it would cost about that $800 price point. 4. Arcteryx have said this is the most complicated, and hardest product in their Veilance line to produce. 5. Lifetime warranty. Nuff said. 6. Most people who really want this bag - will wait for Arcteryx to have their 25% discount to purchase this. If you look harder, you can purchase this from a few worldwide retailers for even less, with the allowance to add additional discounting.

I am a big fan of Veilance. The design is minimalist in a way it will still look good in a few decades. Arcteryx has one of the most efficient warranty and customer service in the industry. If there is any problems with your 800

That key clip is hilarious, thanks for pointing that out. It's a nice bag but not for me at that price.

What long sleeve are you wearing? Looks like Outlier but I can't fully tell.

In this price range I would take the Bellroy Apex and pocket the change. I just don't see the value here. I also like a little bit more organisation in my bag.

This was a solid review! From someone who has owned both iterations of this bag for a few years I have some thoughts. The $800 price tag is certainly out of reach for most, but I don't really think that is an issue. From a utility standpoint this is just a bag, just as a quartz watch tells the time just as well, if not better than an automatic one, like a Rolex. And yet, many people decide to spend 10, 20 or 50x the amount for an automatic watch rather than a quartz one. The Nomin is for me in a similar category, it serves the same purpose as a JanSport pack and for some it perhaps offers even less utility. However from a manufacturing, comfort and certainly visual aspect if offers something far greater. Spending more money to achieve that goal is totally fine by me. Since my wardrobe consists of mainly Veilance items, which follow the same design language it made sense to combine it with something that elevates my choice of clothing. A JanSport pack combined with an ultra-sleek Gore-Tex coat looks a bit off, but for someone who dresses differently or choose to put their money elsewhere, it might just fit the bill for them. So why does the $800 price tag exist? Well for one it's because it has to (extremely complex construction as mentioned by Arc'teryx, hard to source materials and limited units made), partly because it can (consumer demographics, hype behind the pack) and certainly due to market incentives, for example the luxury goods margin. At least Veilance, which has no external branding compared to Arc'teryx, doesn't appeal to the walking billboards among us, where the brand seems to be the driving factor behind its price rather than the garments itself. If I lost my Nomin, I'd happily pay $800 for it than a Balenciaga sweater for the same price. Now luckily for me, I paid $300 for each of my Nomins and find the value proposition to be quite great for both of them, especially when paired with something like Peak Design's packing cubes (thanks for the rec Pack Hacker!)

I have had this for 3years now although not used so much in the past two. It’s a fantastic product, extremely comfortable no matter how much and how heavy, to look at it does not justify the price but it’s there in the usage. If you are looking for pouches and pockets it’s not for you, each to their own.

So what are your thoughts on the bag? Was it worth it to you? Do you recommend it?

hey what are the backpacks in the background

Made it to 2:10 $800? 💸 I’m out! 😂 That being said, I’m sure this review will help someone else. Keep up the great work!

I'm weird but I don't think, conceptually, there is a problem with an 800 dollar backpack. There are high ends of everything and at some point, the amount of labor and material cost requires a high price point to justify price high enough to meet the equilibrium (IE, the number of people who would pay 600 dollars for this bag is probably very close to the number who would pay 800) The issue is that this bag doesn't seem worth it in usability; an 800 dollar bag needs to, frankly, let me pack the way I want to (within reason). While all bags ask you to pack them in a certain way, the main selling point of this bag is frankly the aesthetic. But like Tom mentioned, that aesthetic is *extremely* easily damaged by mispacking it, or packing something "pointy", or something that will make it bulge in weird ways, partially because of its incredible light-weight fabric choice, but also the way its front flap is not particularly structured. When I spend a lot of money on a product, unless that product is designed to be used with consternation (IE, a macro lens for a camera), I prefer to think as little about it as possible. The more it costs, the more effortless it should be. This bag seems like it really requires a decent amount of mental load, what with how you pack it and the zipper locations for the quick access / laptop. That alone would stress me out enough that I couldn't justify the price. That being said, those zippers did seem to move suuuuuuuper smoothly!

The price itself doesn’t bother me but I don’t really understand what I am getting for the money.

Very helpful review, it’s nice to see your observations. This bag was a bit of a crazy price but since my travel budget was unused this past year I didn’t feel too guilty. Mine is also in the Ash colour, which is a nice change from black bags. BTW, I have the Nomin and the Granville 16. They are similar bags but because of the size difference, they don’t overlap, at least for my needs. I’m definitely an Arcteryx fan, the Nomin is another winner IMHO. For those of you obsessing about the price, here’s a suggestion: don’t buy it.

I'd rather get the allpa 28L. Very similar bag but you save about $600. Even a Chrome Industries Summoner would be better if you want similar look. I know Veilance has a lot put into the manufacturing side but its like you get a different bag and a stimulus check... or you get this bag and no stimulus. There are a lot of other great bags out there that I feel are priced accordingly.

What's the different between Pack Hacker Channel and this Pack Hacker Quick Hits? I'm just your new follower 😁 ...

The comments here.. It doesn't have this, it doesn't have that.. lol. First, it is a design choice. Second, it is made in Canada. Third, material choice. Fourth, it is a boutique brand. I've seen a "shoulder bag" which can barely fit a condom and costs several thousands Dollars, and no diamonds attached to it. So, everything is relative when it comes to prices. I bet nobody here has a backpack (18l) that has the same price tag as mine, which is US$10,-. 1,5 years old.. no fading colors, no loose threads, everything is still good!

Nomin!!!

At $800 no way... but an interesting bag.

Wow and I thought the Filson journeyman was expensive, I think I’d rather invest on a new Ricoh gr iii than this... thing.

If this normal bag is worth 800 bucks, then the peak design everyday backpack should be double that price for the technology, structure and organisation is has.

Damn 800$ for this backpack? wow. that's way too much. There's o quick access pocket or one for a water bottle... 800... right. For 800 they better send someone to carry my bottle =) Awesome video though!

I love the channel and the reviews are always spectacular. But dude - no one has ever touched anything as much much as you keep touching this bag in this video. Man...

Looks like a really interesting bag for $90. Don’t know why I’d pay more for it.

Granville is 25% of the price. NOT worth it.. insane

Agree, definitely not enough to justify $800.

This is the equivalent of selling 300 dollar work jeans broken in and pre weathered. All the materials and hardware are used in gear selling for fifth of the price from the same brand.

Nice but too expensive bag.

800 what?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Are you crazy 😜 800 for a pouch

My God imagine paying $800 for this bag? A great example of paying for a name. So many better bags out there worth $500-$600 and this one just spits it's entitlement at you.

The price point is absolutely absurd.

it's not worth 800 no way

When I think "minimalism", it's not $800 designer backpacks with a featureless aesthetic.

the vanity of vanities everything is vanity ...

I love Arcteryx but don’t like Veilance

800 bucks for this? There are other packs with way better looks and design. I don’t understand the attraction to this bag. Those straps like so uncomfortable

There is nothing about this backpack that justifies a $800 price tag, let alone half that. Plastic hardware, no luxuries, an uninteresting design. It even looks like theirs a stain on the top of the outside of it...