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 common and simple to identify on Nationwide Scenic Trails and within the backcountry.
One of many issues that units Hyperlite other than different cottage ultralight gear producers is its multi-sport and multi-season focus. As a substitute of simply constructing packs for the thru-hiker market, Hyperlite additionally caters to climbers, skiers, winter hikers, packrafters, and off-trail hikers, with backpacks tailor-made to their wants. It is sensible, particularly because the want for light-weight, waterproof, and intensely sturdy backpacks is much more vital for these pursuits.
I’m a fan of Hyperlite’s backpacks as a result of they strike a very good steadiness between light-weight and sturdiness. I’ve owned many ultralight backpacks, most of which have by no means lasted greater than a 12 months with out getting torn to shreds within the mountains the place I hike. Some haven’t even lasted a day.
Should you’re excited about shopping for a Hyperlite Mountain Gear backpack, it may be somewhat complicated to grasp how the packs they promote differ and which one it’s best 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 a whole lot of totally different backpacks, they solely make a couple of primary fashions that differ in quantity, sports-specific types, and the supplies used. Not all packs can be found in all supplies, which might be arduous to suss out on their web site.
Sport-Particular Backpack Information
Hyperlite tailors every of its backpack fashions in quite a few sports-specific types, that are enhanced by utilizing additional sturdy supplies, including pockets, or together with exterior attachment factors so you may carry sharp or moist issues on the outside of the backpack.
Backpacking Packs
Southwest – 40L, 55L, 70L
The Southwest is right for off-trail backpacking and bushwhacking if you need facet water bottle pockets and a giant rear pocket for carrying moist, smoky, smelly, or steadily used gadgets that you just don’t need 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 – 40L, 55L, 70L
The Windrider is nice for mountaineering, backpacking, and thru-hiking in very moist climates or very dry ones the place you’re going to need 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 facet water bottle pockets.
Junction – 40L, 55L
The Junction is a cross between the Southwest and the Windrider backpacks, with stable facet pockets and a mesh entrance pocket. Hyperlite created it as a result of so many individuals had been asking for extra sturdy facet 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 when you hike, however the place overgrown vegetation alongside the perimeters of a path may catch and rip a facet pocket. Having a mesh pocket additionally makes it simple to verify whether or not you’ve got all of your gear packed correctly at a look, like a moist water filter or footprint, so that you don’t should unpack stuff to verify.
Unbound – 40L, 55L
The Unbound incorporates lots of the options accessible in different common 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 may stuff used wrappers, detachable facet compression straps, outsized facet bottle pockets, and daisy chains. Chances are high a whole lot of these new options will work themselves into their different backpack fashions over time. You need to get the Unbound for those who’re primarily excited about 3-season use, exterior accessibility (assume higher pockets) is a precedence, and also you need to strip a few of the detachable options to save lots of weight or have an easier backpack.
The North Rim – 40L, 55L
The North Rim is a more durable and extra sturdy model of the Southwest backpack, meant for tough and abrasive circumstances akin 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 “means” extra sturdy than the Dyneema/Nylon Grid that Hyperlite makes use of on their different packs. You probably have a historical past of ripping up packs made with Dyneema Grid, the NorthRim could be the final backpack you ever purchase.
Porter – 40L, 55L, 70L , 85L
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 very good pack for winter sports activities, climbing, packrafting, bikepacking, and air journey. It has two daisy chains which make it equally simple to lash the pack to packrafts or bikes, or safe gear to the skin, like snowshoes, skis/snowboard, or ice axes. You simply should be somewhat artistic in the way you lash stuff on, however the Porter is form of a clean slate, so it may be arrange in some ways and for a lot of totally different missions.
Fastpacking Packs
Elevate – 22L
The Elevate 22 is an easy frameless roll-top pack meant for day hikes. With an additional lengthy roll high, two facet pockets, a middle stretch mesh pocket, two daisy chains, and an ice software loop, it’s a mini model of Hyperlite’s larger quantity multi-day backpacks. The white and black fashions are each made with DCH50 and DCH150.
Aero – 28L
The Aero 28 is a fastpack with a vest harness for a mix path working and ultralight backpacking. The emphasis is on with the ability to entry a days price of meals and equipment with out having to cease and take off your pack. The vest has 1,000,000 pockets to carry bottles, meals, or electronics. Three are extra pockets on the perimeters and backside that are additionally simply reachable. The white and black fashions are made with DCH50 and DCH150.
Contour – 35L
The Contour 35 is a frameless backpack designed for thru-hiking by extra skilled backpackers carrying minimal gear. With 43.5L of whole quantity (35L inner and 6.5L exterior), it’s been stripped right down to a minimal function set to scale back its weight to 16.2 oz, or only a hair over one pound. It has six exterior pockets, so you may retailer the gadgets or snacks you want in the course of the day with out opening up the principle compartment. The white and black fashions are made with DCH50 and DCH150.
Alpine / Climbing Packs
Halka – 55L, 70L
The Halka is a mountaineering backpack that’s appropriate for winter and expedition backpacking. It’s primarily based on the Ice Pack’s design with a crampon holder and plenty of exterior straps but in addition has a detachable floating lid pocket with an inner 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 Most important Physique & Woven Dyneema backside + exterior pockets. That additional sturdiness is warranted if you’re stumbling round on a glacier with very sharp crampons. The floating high lid and pocket are a necessity for critical winter circumstances: the very last thing you need to do is to maintain opening a rolltop to tug put dry gloves or meals. That mentioned, the Halka is the heaviest of Hyperlite’s backpacks at 50.3 ozwithin the 70L measurement (a 55L model can be accessible) in order that added storage means extra pack weight.
Prism – 40L
The Prism 40 is an efficient 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 with gear loops to rack climbing gear and so you may put on it with a climbing harness. An avalanche instruments pocket and ski attachment functionality make this a formidable backpack for extra technical ascents.
Ice Pack – 40L, 55L, 70L
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 may preserve the sharp or moist factors away from the fragile gear inside. Should 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 facet compression straps, supplying you with a whole lot of extra exterior attachment factors to hold much more gear. There are additionally gear loops on the hip belt as an alternative of pockets.
Backcountry / Ski Packs
Headwall – 55L
The Headwall is a devoted ski mountaineering or backcountry ski backpack with exterior daisy chains, three tiers of facet compression straps for attaching skis or break up board in A-Body carry, and a entrance avalanche/probe pocket. It has a detachable hipbelt which is beneficial, significantly for those who put on a climbing harness and a padded again panel to insulate your again from sizzling water bottles saved inside. The Headwall has two ice axe loops and daisy chains on the shoulder straps the place you may grasp 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 “means” extra sturdy than the Dyneema/Polyester hybrid that Hyperlite makes use of on their different packs.
Crux – 40L
The Crux 40 is a backcountry snowboarding and ski mountaineering pack that prioritizes quick access to technical instruments akin to avalanche gear, pickets, and wands. The pack has a detachable hip belt w/ proper gear loop and left zippered pocket and a detachable lid with a drawstring extension collar. There’s a entrance stretch mesh pocket for fast storage and entrance and rear haul loops/anchor factors so you may rig up your individual attachment programs. The Crux’s two facet compression straps can be utilized to final gear to the perimeters of the pack together with an A-frame or diagonal ski carry.
Facet – 32L
The Facet 32 is tailored for the day-touring backcountry skier with a close-to-body match and slender profile for uninhibited motion. It’s made with Absolutely Woven Dyneema (DCHW) to safety towards sharp ski edgesm DCH150 and DCH50. Twin outer ice software attachments accommodate most ice instruments and a radio port opening doubles as a hydration port. Two detachable straps enable for an A-Body or vertical board carry, however a diagonal carry can be an choice.
Day Mountaineering Packs
Dawn – 17L
The Dawn 17 is a day-pack that’s optimized for city use and journey as a result of it has a clam-shell high opening that’s good for frequent entry. Roll-tops are simply terrible if you need to open and shut them on a regular basis to hold a laptop computer or different private gadgets. You may nonetheless use the Daylight 17 for day mountaineering in fact. (it may well maintain as much as 23L together with its open pockets). The white and black fashions are made with DCH150.
Summit Pack – 30L
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 hundreds. It’s greatest for summit pushes when it’s essential to carry somewhat gear however need to go away your huge pack behind. It’s a mini model of the Porter backpacking pack. The white mannequin is made with DCH50 material, whereas the Black pack is made with DCH150.
Stuff Pack – 30L
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 (DCF11) that Hyperlite makes use of to make stuff sacks so it weighs below 5 oz. It might probably serve double obligation as a pack liner if you need a multi-use merchandise.
Torso Lengths and Sizes for all Packs
- Additional Small: Lower than 15″
- Measurement Small: 15″-17″
- Measurement Medium: 17″-19″
- Measurement Giant: 19″-21″
- Measurement Tall: 21″+
Learn how to Select the Proper Pack Materials
HMG makes their packs with three various kinds of Dyneema Composite Materials, listed under in growing order of abrasion resistance, sturdiness, and expense. These hybrid materials are made with tremendous robust however ultralight Dyneema fibers, polyester, and glue. Increased-denier (abbreviated with a D) materials are, usually talking, stronger than lower-denier ones made with the identical supplies.
Materials Abbreviations
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- 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
The 50D Dyneema/Polyester hybrid is used to make the principle physique of a lot of their white backpacks, whereas the 150D and 375D materials are used of their black coloured backpacks or in areas like the underside of backpacks which are liable to excessive levels of abrasion. The packs which are solely or partially made with 375D Woven Dyneema/Polyester hybrid are by far Hyperlite’s most sturdy backpacks and more durable than a lot of the backpack materials in use as we speak. (The one comparable material 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 woven collectively and backed with a water-resistant material. It’s solely accessible from cottage backpack makers.)
Most individuals backpacking on trails within the decrease 48 can use packs made with the common 50D Dyneema/Polyester hybrid. Should 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, you’d be higher off getting the more durable 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 except they’re mountaineering guides, hard-core backcountry skiers, they’re serial thru-hikers, or they’ve a belief fund.
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 material on hip belts and shoulder straps on the 40L, 55L, 70L, and 85L packs. Many different producers use the identical materials and whereas it’s fairly sturdy, it’s not in the identical league because the Dyneema Composite Materials used to make HMG packs.
35 to 40 Liter Backpacks
HMG’s 35L and 40L packs are a very good measurement for thru-hikes with frequent resupplies or backpacking journeys as much as about 4 days in size (these are approximate tips primarily based on a 10-15 lb gear load.) They can be used for extra demanding day hikes, mountaineering, or ski excursions significantly when it’s essential to carry extra insulation , instruments, or security gear. Right here’s a listing of the materials they’re accessible in:
- Waypoint 35L + 6.5L of exterior storage
- Contour 35L + 6.5L of exterior storage
- 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
55 Liter Backpacks
Hyperlite’s 55L backpacks are dimensioned identically to the 40L ones however have a taller pack bag so you may fill them up with 7 days price of meals or extra-warm gear for winter journeys. Should you can solely afford one pack, the 55L is an efficient alternative since you may “flip it into” a 40L by rolling down the highest to shrink the pack’s peak and further 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
70 to 85 Liter Backpacks
HMG’s 70L and 85L packs are huge, expedition-class monsters that you just solely want for those who’re taking very lengthy journeys off the grid that require carrying a whole lot 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 (comfy) load of about 55-60 kilos, they’re greatest used for gear-intensive multi-sport journeys.
The 70L and 85L packs have a body consisting of an inner 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 totally 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
See Additionally:
Disclosure: Hyperlite Mountain Gear has supplied the writer with pattern merchandise for overview prior to now.
Final up to date: 2-9-25
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