The Notch EP40 (Black)
Perfect additions to The Notch EP40 (Black)
The Hipbelt Pocket
£22.50
Sticker Pack
£4.00
Description
Meet The Notch, a compact yet robust thru-hiking pack created to be a resilient companion over thousands of miles of hiking
WHY?
We wanted to build a simple, low volume backpack that was capable of carrying a full load of modern, lightweight gear: Introducing The Notch
HOW?
Quite simply, we took our award winning Prospector pack shape and simplified its carrying harness and shape so it could still work well at low volumes, we kept the amazing padded hip belt, added daisy chain webbing to the shoulder straps, added webbing side compression and BOOM, we were done.
WHO?
The Notch is suitable for any multi day hiker who has a refined gear list of modern, low volume gear. If you like the idea of a lighter pack but feel like you’d still like a good amount of support, or perhaps you aren’t quite ready to take the leap to our ultralight Pulse pack, then the Notch could well be for you! With a load capacity of 15kg and an out of the box weight of 840g / 36.4lbs, its weight will be the last thing on your mind.
Load capacity
16.5kg / 36.4lbs
Weight
840g / 29.6 oz (size medium)
Height fully unrolled
74cm / 29"
Circumference at base
86cm / 34"
Circumference at top
94cm / 37"
Main body volume
35L
Side pockets volume
2 x 2.5L
Features
4 inch wide Dual adjustable hipbelt. Removable.
Comes with 4 adjusters that tighten by pulling inwards allowing you to dial in the perfect fit.
Lumbar pad
Made with 10mm EVA foam and 3mm thick spacer mesh.
Plastic Frame with removable Alloy stay
Removable frame sheet made of 1mm thick plastic with a sewn-in 12mm / ½" alloy bar. The frame for a medium torso length weighs 91g of plastic, and 58g of alloy.
Padded back panel
Uses shaped 8mm closed cell foam. Can be removed when the pack is empty for a 25g weight reduction.
S-shaped shoulder straps
Sewn using our own laminated 10mm foam, durable 210d Robic Extreema face fabric and breathable, soft 3mm spacer mesh.
Dual shoulder pockets
Super stretchy and big enough to hold most smartphones, a day’s worth of snacks or a 700ml water bottle. The elastic is fixed and, owing to its clever design, does not need a tensioner.
Roll top closure
The closure has a 15mm vertical side compression. The roll top can also be clipped together at the top (dry bag style) and the side compression clipped around the front of the bag to aid carrying snowshoes or maybe a huge packs of chips etc.
Z side elastics
Great for securing trekking poles, tent poles or drying your socks.
Bottom pocket
Easy-access bottom pocket with trash port made with Dyneema stretch fabric.
Large front pocket
Made with Dyneema stretch fabric. Can hold 5L, not included in the total volume.
Side pockets
Two 2.5L forward-facing, deep and low side pockets made with 210D Robic Extreema. Each one is big enough to keep 2 x 1L Smartwater bottles steady, yet low enough to reach whilst the pack is worn.
Front zig-zag elastic
Removable and designed to be able to store a folded Z-rest or assist with air drying your clothes.
Side compression webbing with adjuster
These are there to secure a trekking pole or tent poles when stored in the side pocket.
Sternum Strap
Elasticated and height adjustable. Whistle.
Ice Axe loop
Sewn-in loop to easily connect an ice axe or walking poles.
Materials
Ecopak EPX200
Body and base
210d Robic Extreema
Side pockets, shoulder straps and hipbelt
Dyneema Mesh
Front pocket and bottom pocket
500D Textured Nylon (similar to Cordura)
Backpanel
How to measure your Torso
Follow our 5-step guide to find the perfect fit.
Please note!
Your torso size is not necessarily linked to your height or weight. If you take a large t-shirt it won’t necessarily mean your torso is a size large. So please, measure before buying.
Finding an accurate measurement is simple, but you may find it easier if you ask someone to help you measure up.
1. Find your C7 vertebrae
Tilt your head forward and find the bony bump at the base of your neck - this is your C7 vertebrae and the top point of our measurement. Place the top of the tape measure or string here and then tip your head back up to neutral.
2. Find your iliac crest
Place your hands on the top of your hip bones with your thumbs pointing towards your spine. Draw an imaginary line between your thumbs, where this line meets your spine is your iliac crest. If you are measuring on your own, then adjust the waistband of your trousers to sit at this point and tighten your belt - you will measure to the top of your belt.
3. Measure the distance between the two
Measure from the C7 down to the iliac crest (or your belt if you are measuring solo): make a note of the number - this is your torso size.
4. Measure again
A wise person once said, measure twice: cut once. Custom packs are non-refundable, and returns are painful for everyone, so take the time to get this right. Apply a little common sense at this point - if you normally wear Small t-shirts but have measured as an X-Large, maybe let's go back to step 1! If you are unsure, please send us an email and we can help.
5. Torso size
Once you are satisfied with your measurement, refer to the table below to find your size. If you are in between two sizes, going for the smaller of the two will ensure a good fit - trust us on this.
| Torso Size | Inches | Centimetres |
| Small | 15-17 | 38-43 |
| Medium | 18-19 | 46-48 |
| Large | 20-21 | 51-53 |
| Extra Large | 22-23 | 56-58 |
The Notch EP40
Get a quick video run-through of the Notch from Tom.
Small volume, big miles.
The Notch is a compact yet robust thru-hiking pack created to be a resilient companion over thousands of miles of hiking.
Customer Reviews
As a gear-geek, I have enjoyed using rucksacks from lots of different manufacturers, stretching back to the 90s. Big, small and everything in-between :)
This model from Atom Packs is probably the best all-rounder I have ever used. Very well thought out design. Simple setup, clean lines, easy to use. Just does the job well (which I think is actually a lot harder to achieve that you may think).
I think it looks great as well!
It is a sweet spot in terms of capacity - can expand to accommodate more gear but does not feel too big when underfilled.
Also, just to add - the experience of visiting the office for a fitting was also great. Really clear explanations and an all round great way to get confidence that you are getting what you need.
I really rate this bag.
I have never had a bag that has actually fitted me , and this one does !
I am so please I bought this. I have recently finished the Tour du Mont Blanc and it was the perfect pack, and fitted like a glove (when we had deluge of rain for a whole day , the pack dried out quickly)
Love love love the secret snack pocket :-)
I have only one very small niggle (if I can even call it that ) the chest clip was sometimes hard to do up, but this would not stop me buying it again or recommending the pack to others
I love it , thank you so much
I also I had a few complements along the way too .... spreading the Atom pack love :)
Used my new Notch for 7 days on my first section of the Pennine Way from Edale to Dufton. Found the sack to be light, very comfortable over long days and good quality considering its light weight. Only things that bothered me a little are the sternum strap as I feel the clip would be better positioned in a central location rather than located next to the shoulder strap which makes it awkward to uncle, and the double adjustment set up on the hip belt when a single system like other Atom bags would be easier to adjust. Still a fantastic bag which I look forward to using soon when I finish the PW.
I recently used the Notch on the West Highland Way and for a two-day trip at Mont Blanc, and I must say, this bag is incredible. The design is well thought out, and it easily accommodated all my gear. The build quality is top-notch, making it highly durable for tough trails and varying weather conditions.
The customer service from Atom Packs is absolutely superb — they were responsive and helpful.
I’m confident this pack will hold up for a long time, but if I ever need another one, I wouldn’t hesitate to order from Atom Packs again. Highly recommended!
Incredible bag designed by an amazing company and the service is second to none. Can’t wait to buy another one!
