Hyperlite Mountain Gear (HMG) focuses on making rugged multi-sport backpacks and shelters with Dyneema Composite Materials. Their distinctive white and black backpacks are fairly well-liked and simple to identify on Nationwide Scenic Trails and within the backcountry.
One of many issues that units Hyperlite aside from different cottage ultralight gear producers is its multi-sport and multi-season focus. As an alternative of simply constructing packs for the thru-hiker market, Hyperlite additionally caters to climbers, skiers, winter hikers, packrafters, and off-trail hikers, with backpacks which are tailor-made to their wants. It is smart, particularly for the reason that want for light-weight, waterproof, and intensely sturdy backpacks is much more essential for these pursuits.
I’m a fan of Hyperlite’s backpacks as a result of they strike a great steadiness between light-weight and sturdiness. I’ve owned many ultralight backpacks and most of them have by no means lasted far more than a 12 months with out getting torn to shreds within the mountains the place I hike. Some haven’t even lasted a day. However my Hyperlite Southwest 40 and Southwest 55 backpacks have endured a number of years of near-constant on-trail, off-trail, and winter use. That’s uncommon for an ultralight fashion backpack in my expertise and a testomony to the sturdiness of Hyperlite’s merchandise that are intentionally overbuilt to make them final.
When you’re desirous about shopping for a Hyperlite Mountain Gear backpack, it may be a bit complicated to grasp how the packs they promote differ from each other and which one you need to get, particularly for those who can solely afford one backpack for a number of sports activities. Whereas the Hyperlite web site makes it appear like the corporate sells loads of completely different backpacks, they solely make just a few fundamental fashions which differ by way of quantity, sports-specific types, and the supplies used. Not all packs can be found in all supplies, which may be arduous to suss out on their web site.
Materials Abbreviations
- DCH50 which is a 50D Dyneema/Polyester hybrid
- DCH150 which is a 150D Dyneema/Polyester hybrid
- DCHW which is a 375D Woven Dyneema/Polyester hybrid
Inner Volumes
- 30L – 1800 cubic inches
- 40L – 2400 cubic inches
- 55L – 3400 cubic inches
- 70L – 4400 cubic inches
- 85L – 5400 cubic inches
Sports activities-Particular Kinds
- Porter
- Southwest
- Windrider
- Junction
- Unbound
- North Rim
- Halka
- Ice Pack
- Headwall
- Prism
- Summit
- Stuff
Easy methods to Select the Proper Pack Materials
HMG makes the higher “physique” portion of their packs with three completely different supplies, listed under in growing order of abrasion resistance, sturdiness, and expense. The decrease base portion of their packs is made with a 150D Dyneema/Polyester hybrid or a 375D Woven Dyneema/Polyester hybrid, that are each fairly sturdy. Increased denier (abbreviated with a D) materials are, typically talking, stronger than decrease denier ones made with the identical supplies.
- 50D Dyneema/Polyester hybrid (abbreviated on the HMG web site as DCH50)
- 150D Dyneema/Polyester hybrid (abbreviated on the HMG web site as DCH150)
- 375D Woven Dyneema/Polyester hybrid (abbreviated on the HMG web site as DCHW)
Most people who find themselves backpacking on trails within the decrease 48 can use packs made with the common 50D Dyneema/Polyester hybrid. When you thru-hike an prolonged distance or journey in very rocky terrain the place your pack is more likely to rub towards rock partitions quite a bit (ie. New Hampshire or Maine), you’d be higher off getting the harder and thicker 150D Dyneema/Polyester hybrid used to make HMG’s black coloured packs. Most individuals don’t want the additional sturdiness supplied by the 375D Woven Dyneema/Polyester hybrid until they’re mountaineering guides, hard-core backcountry skiers, they do thru-hikes, or they’ve a belief fund.
The underside of HMG’s 50D Dyneema/Polyester hybrid and 150D Dyneema/Polyester hybrid pack fashions are made with a double-reinforced 150D Dyneema/Polyester hybrid to offer additional abrasion resistance. HMG’s packs are flat-bottomed and this additional degree of safety helps preserve the bottom from getting worn by by abrasion with the bottom. The packs which are totally or partially (normally simply the bottom) made with 375D Woven Dyneema/Polyester hybrid are by far Hyperlite’s most sturdy backpacks and harder than many of the backpack materials in use at the moment. (The one comparable cloth is one thing new known as Extremely 400. It’s similar to 375D Woven Dyneema however made with non-patented UHMWPE fibers as an alternative of Dyneema fibers that are woven collectively and backed with a water-proof cloth. It’s solely out there from customized backpack makers.)
The accent options on HMG’s packs are made with a checkered black Dyneema Hardline, which is nylon bolstered with Dyneema fibers. It’s used because the dealing with cloth on hip belts and shoulder straps on the 40L, 55L, 70L, and 85L packs, all exterior pockets on the Southwest pack, the aspect pockets on the Junction pack, and the crampon/software attachment panels on the Ice Pack. Many different producers use the identical materials and whereas it’s moderately sturdy, it’s not in the identical league as the opposite supplies used to make HMG packs. The accent options, backside, and excessive put on areas on the North Rim and Headwall packs are made with harder stuff, particularly 375D Woven Dyneema/Polyester hybrid, which is the hardest and most sturdy cloth Hyperlite makes use of on their packs.
Q: How does the Dyneema/Polyester Hybrid cloth utilized in Hyperlite’s backpacks fee by way of sturdiness in comparison with various materials corresponding to XPac, EcoPak, Extremely, and Robic Nylon which are gaining traction with different ultralight backpack producers?
In a nutshell, the non-woven 50D and 150D Dyneema/Polyester Hybrid materials utilized by Hyperlite are considerably extra sturdy than the Robic Nylon (additionally known as Excessive Tenacity Nylon) utilized by different ultralight backpack producers like Gossamer Gear, Granite Gear, and lots of mainstream backpack producers. They’re much less sturdy, notably by way of abrasion (brought on by rock and sand) than different waterproof laminates like XPac, EcoPak, and Extremely. When you’re extraordinarily arduous in your backpack and anticipate it to final by a number of thru-hikes, then you need to have a look at packs made with Extremely 400 or Hyperlite’s 375D Woven Dyneema/Polyester hybrid packs. For common backpacking use or a single thru-hike, the 150D Dyneema/Polyester Hybrid materials are greater than enough, they’re waterproof, and all of Hyperlite’s backpacks are seam taped so that they don’t leak by the stitching needle holes. When you can put on a gap in a Hyperlite Backpack, you actually need to work at it for the reason that backside cloth is normally a better denier and bolstered.
Easy methods to Select the Proper Quantity Pack
HMG classifies their smaller quantity packs below 30L in quantity as city or day packs. HMG provides 4 backpacks on this measurement:
- The Summit Pack 30 is a frameless pack with quite a few exterior attachment factors and a roll-top closure. It has a detachable webbing hip belt and minimal shoulder straps appropriate for as much as 20-pound masses. It’s finest for summit pushes when you must carry a bit gear however wish to go away your large pack behind.
- The Stuff Pack 30 is a frameless roll-top pack and not using a hip belt or any daisy chains. It’s made with the identical materials that Hyperlite makes use of to make stuff sacks so it weighs below 5 oz. It will possibly serve double responsibility as a pack liner if you would like a multi-use merchandise.
- The Elevate 22 is an easy frameless roll-top pack meant for day hikes. With an additional lengthy roll high, two aspect pockets, a middle stretch mesh pocket, two daisy chains, and an ice software loop, it’s a mini model of Hyperlite’s greater quantity multi-day backpacks.
- The Dawn 17 can be a day-pack however is extra optimized for city use and journey as a result of it has a clam-shell high opening which is best for frequent use. Roll-tops are simply terrible if you must open and shut them on a regular basis to hold a laptop computer or different private gadgets. You possibly can nonetheless use the Daylight 17 for day mountaineering in fact. (it will probably maintain as much as 23L together with its open pockets).
HMG’s 35L and 40L packs are a great measurement for thru-hikes with frequent resupplies or backpacking journeys as much as about 4 days in size (these are approximate pointers based mostly on a 10-15 lb gear load.) Right here’s an inventory of the materials they’re out there in:
- Waypoint 35L
- Porter Pack 40L
- Southwest Pack 40L + 9.8L of exterior storage
- Windrider Pack 40L + 9.8L of exterior storage
- Junction Pack 40L + 9.8L of exterior storage
- Unbound 40L + 9L of exterior storage
- Ice Pack 40L
- Prism Pack 40L
Hyperlite’s 55L backpacks are dimensioned identically to the 40L ones however have a taller pack bag so you’ll be able to fill them up with 7 days value of meals or extra-warm gear for winter journeys. When you can solely afford one pack, the 55L is an efficient selection since you’ll be able to “flip it into” a 40L by rolling down the highest to shrink the pack’s top and additional quantity. The 40L and 55L packs use two detachable aluminum stays (the newer Unbound Packs solely have one aluminum keep) to switch weight to the hip belt as an alternative of a full body. Each have a max load of about 35-40 kilos.
- Porter Pack 55L
- Southwest Pack 55L + 9.8L of exterior storage
- Windrider Pack 55L + 9.8L of exterior storage
- Junction Pack 55L + 9.8L of exterior storage
- Unbound 55L + 9L of exterior storage
- North Rim Pack 55L + 9.8L of exterior storage
- Headwall Pack 55L + 7.1L of exterior storage
- Ice Pack 55L
- Halka 55L
HMG’s 70L and 85L packs are large, expedition-class monsters that you simply solely want for those who’re taking very lengthy journeys off the grid that require carrying loads of meals or heavy technical gear. They’ve a bigger circumference than the 40L and 55L packs which makes them deeper (so that they stick out behind you extra.) With a max (snug) load of about 55-60 kilos, they’re finest used for gear-intensive multi-sport journeys.
The 70L and 85L packs have a body consisting of an inside body sheet and two aluminum stays to switch weight to the hip belt. They’re additionally solely made with a 150D Dyneema/Polyester hybrid physique for elevated sturdiness, in contrast to the 40L and 55L packs which can be found in two completely different Polyester hybrid denier weights. The 70L and 85L packs can be found in white or black, though we’d suggest getting them in white as a result of the black materials makes the interiors too darkish to see your gear inside.
- Porter 70L
- Southwest 70L + 9.8L of exterior storage
- Windrider70L + 9.8L of exterior storage
- North Rim 70L + 9.8L of exterior storage
- Halka 70L
- Ice Pack 70L
- Porter 85L
Easy methods to Select the Proper Sport-Particular Backpack
HMG tailors every of its backpack fashions in a variety of sports-specific types, that are enhanced by including pockets or exterior attachment factors so you’ll be able to carry sharp or moist issues on the outside of the backpack.
Porter
The Porter is a streamlined backpack with none exterior pockets on the pack physique that may catch on issues or get torn off making it a great pack for winter sports activities, climbing, packrafting, bikepacking, and air journey. It has two daisy chains which make it equally straightforward to lash the pack to packrafts or bikes, or safe gear to the surface, like snowshoes, skis/snowboard, or ice axes. You simply must be a bit inventive in the way you lash stuff on, however the Porter is type of a clean slate, so it may be arrange in some ways and for a lot of completely different missions.
Southwest
The Southwest is good for off-trail backpacking and bushwhacking while you need aspect water bottle pockets and an enormous rear pocket for carrying moist, smoky, smelly, or steadily used gadgets that you simply don’t wish to retailer inside your backpack. The Southwest additionally makes a sturdy pack for thru-hiking on much less traveled trails the place overhanging vegetation can rip up exterior mesh pockets. Whereas you should use the Southwest for winter sports activities, lashing snowshoes to the again of the pack will cowl up the again exterior pocket and make it arduous to entry.
Windrider
The Windrider is nice for mountaineering, backpacking, and thru-hiking in very moist climates or very dry ones the place you’re going to wish to air out or dry moist gear as you hike. The mesh can catch on overhanging vegetation and rip, so it’s much less sturdy than the Southwest in that respect. The mesh is sized the identical because the Southwest’s rear and aspect water bottle pockets.
Junction
The Junction is a cross between the Southwest and the Windrider backpacks, with strong aspect pockets and a mesh entrance pocket. Hyperlite created it as a result of so many individuals have been asking for extra sturdy aspect pockets on their Windrider or a mesh entrance pocket on their Southwest packs. The Junction is nice for extra humid locales, just like the japanese United States the place it’s good to have the ability to dry gear within the mesh pocket whilst you hike, however the place overgrown vegetation alongside the perimeters of a path may catch and rip a aspect pocket. Having a mesh pocket additionally makes it straightforward to examine whether or not you will have all of your gear packed correctly at a look, like a moist water filter or footprint, so that you don’t need to unpack stuff to examine.
Unbound
The Unbound is a wholly new pack design within the Hyperlite household and incorporates most of the options out there in different well-liked thru-hiking backpacks, primarily from smaller aggressive producers. These embrace new foam padding within the again panel, a detachable hip belt with a V-pull that’s extra adjustable than those on their different backpacks, a backside mesh pocket for storing layers or snacks with a trash port the place you’ll be able to stuff used wrappers, detachable aspect compression straps, outsized aspect bottle pockets, and daisy chains. Chances are high loads of these new options will work themselves into their different backpack fashions over time. You must get the Unbound for those who’re primarily desirous about 3-season use, exterior accessibility (assume higher pockets) is a precedence, and also you wish to strip a number of the detachable options to save lots of weight or have a less complicated backpack.
The North Rim
The North Rim is a harder and extra sturdy model of the Southwest backpack, meant for tough and abrasive situations corresponding to off-trail bushwhacking or canyoneering. Whereas the physique of the NorthRim is made with Hyperlite’s 150D Dyneema/Polyester hybrid, the accent pockets on the perimeters and entrance of the pack, in addition to the hip belt pockets are made with extraordinarily sturdy 375D Woven Dyneema, which is “approach” extra sturdy than the Dyneema/Nylon Grid that Hyperlite makes use of on their different packs. When you’ve got a historical past of ripping up packs made with Dyneema Grid, the NorthRim might be the final backpack you ever purchase.
Headwall
The Headwall is a devoted ski mountaineering or backcountry ski backpack with exterior daisy chains, three tiers of aspect compression straps for attaching skis or cut up board in A-Body carry, and a entrance avalanche/probe pocket. It has a detachable hipbelt which is helpful, notably for those who put on a climbing harness and a padded again panel to insulate your again from scorching water bottles saved inside. The headwall has two ice axe loops and daisy chains on the shoulder straps the place you’ll be able to hold accent pockets or gear. Just like the North Rim, the bottom and excessive put on areas of the Headwall are made with 375D Woven Dyneema, which is “approach” extra sturdy than the Dyneema/Polyester hybrid that Hyperlite makes use of on their different packs.
Ice Pack
The Ice Pack is nice for mountaineering, ski mountaineering, and winter mountaineering/backpacking. It has a puncture-proof crampon/twin ice ax holder on the again of the pack so you’ll be able to preserve the sharp or moist factors away from the fragile gear inside. When you use crampons or axes quite a bit, it is a very fascinating function on a winter backpack. The ice pack additionally has twin daisy chains and aspect compression straps, supplying you with loads of extra exterior attachment factors to hold much more gear. There are additionally gear loops on the hip belt as an alternative of pockets.
Halka
The Halka is a mountaineering backpack that’s appropriate for winter and expedition backpacking. It’s based mostly on the Ice Pack’s design with a crampon holder and lots of exterior straps but in addition has a detachable floating lid pocket with an inside pocket and a drawstring closure as an alternative of a rolltop. It’s additionally made with extra sturdy supplies, just like the NorthRim, with a DCH150 Primary Physique & Woven Dyneema backside + exterior pockets. That additional sturdiness is warranted while you’re stumbling round on a glacier with very sharp crampons. The floating high lid and pocket are a necessity for severe winter situations: the very last thing you wish to do is to maintain opening a rolltop to tug put dry gloves or meals. That stated, the Halka is the heaviest of Hyperlite’s backpacks at 50.3 ozwithin the 70L measurement (a 55L model can be out there) in order that added storage means extra pack weight.
Prism Pack
The Prism Pack can be good for mountaineering, ski mountaineering, and winter mountaineering however is considerably extra sturdy than the Ice Pack and has a extra technical function set together with a high lid with a drawstring closure, a crampon pocket, and a detachable hip belt so you’ll be able to put on it with a climbing harness.
Torso Lengths and Sizes
It may be troublesome to search out any documentation of the torso lengths that correspond to Hyperlite’s backpack sizes on their web site. Right here’s what you must know.
- Further Small: Lower than 15″
- Measurement Small: 15″-17″
- Measurement Medium: 17″-19″
- Measurement Giant: 19″-21″
- Measurement Tall: 21″+
What occurs in case your torso size is on the boundary of two completely different sizes? Most individuals measurement as much as the bigger measurement because it ensures you’ll get some load switch to the hip belt. That gained’t occur if the pack is just too small for you.
See Additionally:
Disclosure: Hyperlite Mountain Gear has supplied the writer with pattern merchandise for assessment up to now.
Final up to date: 4-28-24
SectionHiker is reader-supported. We solely make cash if you buy a product by our affiliate hyperlinks. Assist us proceed to check and write unsponsored and impartial gear opinions, newbie FAQs, and free mountaineering guides.
