Tested: The Viandar from Nola – a retro look with outdoor power
11-6-2026
Translation: machine translated
Video: Siri Schubert
The Viandar rucksack from the Swiss start-up Nola has a retro look. In practical testing, however, it proves to be anything but outdated.
Modern, ultra-light rucksacks don’t necessarily stand out for their stylish design. Conversely, rucksacks with a cool look are only of limited use on mountain adventures. The Swiss start-up Nola aims to bridge this gap with the Viandar.
Comfortable to carry
The Viandar is available in various colours (Copper-Beige, Dark-Blue and Dawn-Green) and sizes (35, 25 and 15 litres). I tested the 35-litre version whilst hiking and walked between ten and 25 kilometres a day for several weeks with the rucksack fully packed. The Viandar itself isn’t ultra-light, but at 1350 grammes it’s still within the normal range for a robust rucksack.
The first thing I noticed was how well it fits. The hip belt really sits on the hips and not somewhere between the waist and the thighs. Even when fully loaded, the rucksack is comfortable to carry. It doesn’t force me into an unnatural posture or put pressure on my shoulders.
You can see for yourself in the video:
Plenty of space for everything I need on the go
Sleeping bag, hammock, a change of clothes, sleeping mat: on overnight hikes, you quickly end up with quite a lot of gear. I packed everything into the rucksack and was surprised at how easily I could fit it all in.
Thanks to the side zip, I can see straight away where everything is and can even take things out at a glance, even those at the bottom of the main compartment.
There’s even a solution for an extra sleeping mat, as the rucksack can be expanded using the strap system.
In the video, you can see what I’ve packed:
Useful details
As well as the large main compartment, the rucksack has plenty of small pockets for water bottles, a head torch and snacks. This keeps my gear organised and means I don’t have to rummage around for ages when I need a small item quickly. Another storage bonus: the Viandar has a laptop compartment. I don’t actually need this compartment when I’m out hiking, but when I use the rucksack for weekend getaways or short business trips, it’s very handy.
The material: soft yet functional
The outer fabric is what gives it that retro look. It looks like cotton and feels soft, but it’s actually recycled polyester. It’s coated on the inside, making it water-repellent. The rucksack isn’t completely waterproof, but it can withstand a rain shower. According to the manufacturer, it’s free from ‘forever chemicals’ (perfluorocarbons, PFCs).
Easy to repair
The rucksack is designed to be robust and, should anything break, easy to repair. This is because the hip belt, back padding and buckles can be replaced. So, in a sense, durability is practically built in. The fastenings are kept simple with cords and eyelets. The zip on the side looks sturdy. However, I cannot say how easy it would be to replace it should it ever give up the ghost.
How the Nola brand came about
Nola was founded by David Freitag, who had previously worked for many years as a designer for the outdoor brand Bach. As a keen mountaineer, he tests the products himself and attaches great importance to functionality, as he told me in an interview.
Source: David Freitag
He was inspired by his grandfather’s old mountaineering photographs from the 1940s. He particularly liked the fact that everything about the clothing and rucksacks of that era could be repaired. Instead of modern fastening systems, there were hooks and eyelets. Many parts could be replaced should they ever break. Durability was, so to speak, already built into the design.
It was also his grandfather who instilled in him a love of the mountains, David recalls. «My grandfather wasn’t interested in climbing the highest mountain or breaking records. For him, what mattered was the experience – enjoying the fresh mountain air and spending time outdoors.»
Source: David Freitag
The company name ‘Nola’ also comes from his grandfather’s home region, Graubünden. There is a torrent there called the Nolla – he simply dropped the single ‘ «’ L» to make the name easier to pronounce internationally.
However, the rucksacks are not manufactured in Switzerland, but in Vietnam. The reason, he explains, is that he could not find anyone in Switzerland capable of producing 3,000 rucksacks within a short timeframe. In Vietnam, there are well-trained seamstresses and tailors, as well as suppliers of zips and buckles.
In a nutshell
A comfortable, stylish and versatile backpack
The Viandar from Nola appealed to me as if for its looks. I was completely won over by its practical layout, the side zip and the many small pockets. The rucksack is comfortable to carry and offers space for pretty much everything I want to take with me on my trips. The fact that it can be repaired is another plus.
Pro
- Comfortable to wear
- Removable hip belt and back plate
- Side zip and spacious inner compartment
- Practical pockets for small items
- Soft, water-repellent material
- Retro look
- Repairability
Header image: Siri Schubert
Siri Schubert
Senior Editor
Siri.Schubert@digitecgalaxus.chResearch diver, outdoor guide and SUP instructor – I love being in, on and around water. Lakes, rivers and the ocean are my playgrounds. For a change of perspective, I look at the world from above while trail running or flying drones.
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