That is an in-depth assessment of the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40L Backpack in 2024. That is the most recent ultralight backpack from Hyperlite Mountain Gear and probably one of the best to this point.
In the event you’re uninterested in carrying a heavy backpack loaded stuffed with an excessive amount of gear and need to lighten your load, then a light-weight backpack shall be one thing you have to. The HMG Unbound 40L Backpack is their greatest effort but. This 40-liter pack isn’t solely ultralight however waterproof and has some helpful options that almost all different packs should not have.
This assessment has been expanded and up to date to replicate the testing of this product for greater than 12 months by the creator. I attempted and examined the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40L Backpack discovered why they delivered one of many greatest ultralight backpacks in the marketplace for 2024.
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How We Examined
The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40L Backpack on this assessment has been extensively evaluated and researched by the professional creator who has greater than 30 years of expertise in Through-Mountain climbing, Backpacking, and Mountain climbing. He additionally spent a number of years managing a mountaineering retail retailer and is thought to be an professional on this discipline. The backpack was equipped by the producer. It has been rigorously examined by the creator for greater than 12 months in all types of climate on a number of backpacking journeys. The analysis, testing, and expertise of the creator have mixed to supply this sincere assessment. Learn the Overview Coverage for additional particulars.
In-Depth Overview: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40L 2024
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40L Overview
Weight: 30.1 oz / 853.3 grams
Professionals:
> Light-weight
> Waterproof
> Good entry to facet pockets
> A number of exterior storage choices
> Comfy even with a little bit of weight within the pack
> Very Sturdy
Cons:
> Not good for anybody who desires to hold lots of heavy gear
The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40L is an ultralight backpack focused at anybody desirous to lighten their load on their subsequent in a single day backpacking journey or multi-month thru-hike.
Though it’s referred to as the Unbound 40L, it has a complete of 49-liter capability. With a 40L capability in the primary bag and 9L of storage within the facet and rear pockets.
This smaller-sized pack is not going to be for everybody. However upon getting a lightweight and compact sleep system, have eliminated all of your unneeded luxurious objects, and need to set off with minimal stress in your physique then that is for you.
With a number of exterior storage areas, it’s good for locating a spot in your moist rain jacket after that brief rain bathe. Talking of rain, relaxation assured that your gear will keep dry on this waterproof backpack that even has seam sealing to make sure your gear stays dry.
The facet pockets are the proper place for carrying a number of liters of water throughout that desert part of the path. Hyperlite Mountain Gear put some thought and energy into the exterior storage areas on this pack.
The HMG Unbound Backpack is available in two sizes, particularly 40L and 55L. And now is available in two colours, black and my favourite white.
Total, that is the proper backpack for thru-hiking or these shorter multiday backpacking journeys the place you don’t have an excessive amount of stuff. An actual favourite for minimalists.
Body, Harness, and Hipbelt
The backpack is held in form by a verticle aluminum keep that’s surrounded by 1/4 inch foam after which coated with the Dyneema Materials. This mixture does a very good job to maintain the pack in its unique form.
WhenI examined the pack I discovered the Shoulder Harness to be snug and has the choice of including some extras to let you customise your pack harness. Objects reminiscent of a digicam pod, shoulder strap bag, or a small fanny bag such because the vice versa that may strap throughout the sternum strap give added gear carrying flexibility.
It’s refreshing that the hip belt comes with waterproof facet pockets. I like these. When testing the backpack I used to be in a position to match cash, keys, lip balm, sunscreen, snacks, telephone, headphones and extra into the hip belt pockets. It’s even large enough to suit most ultracompact Mountain climbing Cameras reminiscent of a GoPro. They arrive full with a water-proof zip and are large enough to maintain most individuals joyful. If you wish to be ultralight, you possibly can take away it, or substitute it which is an efficient choice for those who acquire or drop pounds. Or perhaps you need to share the pack with a number of folks. Total, I discovered the hip belt pockets are greatest in school.
Weight
At 30.1 ounces or 853 grams which locations this backpack on the heavier finish of ultralight backpacks, however nicely throughout the light-weight backpack class. There are lots of different backpacks in the marketplace which are lighter however few shall be made in addition to this.
Load carrying base weight
Hyperlite Mountain Gear recommends that the Unbound 40L backpack has a load restrict of round 40 lb / 18 kg. With a light-weight base weight of round 10 lb / 4.5 kg and beneath this backpack hardly seems like it’s in your again. It’s tremendous snug and does a very good job of distributing many of the load onto the hip belt.
After I examined the backpack with heavier masses I discovered it was in a position to carry the masses fairly nicely. Like all ultralight backpacks, you have to be cautious when packing. You need to guarantee there are not any sharp objects in opposition to your again. Regardless that there’s a padded part between your gear and your again, it’s only 1/4 of froth, so not adequate to cease an object like your cooking pot from poking into your again. Pack your backpack rigorously.
If you’re seeking to purchase a backpack like this, then you have already got light-weight mountaineering gear or shall be shopping for some quickly. Simply don’t have heavy gear on this pack, decide to carrying much less and you’ll love the HMG Unbound 40L Backpack.
Materials
The HMG Unbound 40L backpack makes use of a few totally different supplies, particularly Dyneema Composite Hybrid Materials on the primary physique of the pack, Dyneema Stretch Mesh on the again and backside pockets, Hardline with Dyneema on the straps, nylon daisy chain webbing and nylon elastic compression straps on the facet to safe your water bottle, tent poles or trekking poles.
Dyneema Composite Hybrid Materials in two totally different weights, particularly DCH50 and DCH150. The Dyneema Composite Hybrid Materials is stronger and extra abrasion resistant than regular Dyneema Composite Fiber.
Regular Dyneema Composite Fiber is 100% waterproof, however the hybrid building of the fabric isn’t 100%. For many functions, it’s so near 100% waterproof that it’s best to fear an excessive amount of about your gear in a rain storm. Simply don’t use the backpack as a floatation system on a river. Or use a dry again when canyoning or pack rafting.
Throughout preliminary testing, there was no rain. So I loaded the pack with all my gear and poured water throughout it. As anticipated the whole lot stayed dry.
The again pockets and backside pocket makes use of a comparatively new product referred to as Dyneema Stretch Mesh. After I first used this pack I used to be skeptical of this materials as only a few producers had been utilizing it. So I used to be not sure of the sturdiness. Effectively, after greater than 12 months of use and abuse I can report that this materials is hard. I’m but to get a gap within the mesh.
Throughout testing, I attempted to poke a gap within the materials with sticks and failed. As I kind up this assessment I made a decision to try to poke a gap in it with a pen. The pen was in a position to go partway by way of the fabric and be eliminated with out ripping any of the fabric. So, all appears good for the long-term energy of the fabric. It’s definitely higher than what most different manufacturers use in the intervening time. I’m wondering how lengthy earlier than Dyneema Stretch Mesh is extra broadly adopted by different manufacturers.
Dimension and Capability liters
The Hyperlight Mountain Gear Unbound 40L backpack is available in just one dimension, being 49 liters. It has a beneficiant 40 liters of inside storage and 9 liters of exterior storage within the type of rear and facet pockets.
The design of the pack permits the primary compartment to increase fairly a bit for these instances you’ll have an enormous load to hold. Like the primary day leaving city when thru-hiking. Due to the roll-top design and compression straps the pack might be closed to a smaller dimension when wanted. I’m a fab of roll-top closures on backpacks.
The rear pockets have an uncommon system of three pockets. There’s one most important pocket on the rear, one other positioned additional down on the rear, and one beneath.
The primary rear stretch pocket makes use of Dyneema Stretch Mesh materials. It’s a beneficiant dimension, robust, and has good stretch properties. After I examined this backpack I discovered this pocket to be good for storing rain gear, snacks, sunscreen, trash, and bathroom paper.
Additionally it is linked to a smaller outdoors pocket that can be utilized to entry objects on the very backside of the primary pocket. The smaller stretch pocket isn’t very huge however is also used to retailer objects reminiscent of gentle snacks, sunscreen, or rest room paper.
There are additionally some helpful daisy chain webbing loops on the again that may very well be used to connect one thing like a mountaineering allow tag, hand sanitizer, or comparable. Though there are not any ice axe loops I’m certain you possibly can use the webbing to make one thing work. I suppose the daisy chains may very well be used for something your creativeness decides, a small carabiner with a ingesting mug, perhaps.
As for the pocket beneath the pack, it’s a stretch pocket that opens from one facet solely. I query the sturdiness of this backside pocket, even whether it is made with Dyneema Stretch Mesh.
Through the testing of this product I’d throw the pack on the bottom absolutely loaded and sit on the bottom with the pack nonetheless on my again I had no points however I’m undecided how the pack would take care of just a few hundred days of me doing this. Having stated that, it’s a good place to retailer one thing like your sleeping pad.
The HMG Unbound 40L options 2 facet pockets that are a beneficiant dimension and large enough for a few water bottles. I used to be in a position to match a 2x 1L bottle in every pocket for a complete of 4 liters of water carrying capability. It may very well be stretched to hold somewhat greater than that for those who use water bladders such because the Platypus vary of bladders.
Sturdiness
The pack is made with one of many strongest and most sturdy variations of the Dyneema Cloth. As such this pack is extra sturdy than another Dyneema Backpacks in the marketplace from different producers. This added sturdiness comes on the slight value of weight. This pack is somewhat heavier than comparable designs from different producers. That’s the trade-off with regards to ultralight backpacking. Sturdiness vs weight.
Total, you shouldn’t have any points with this pack. It is extremely sturdy. As talked about earlier, even the stretch mesh is tremendous powerful and proof against abuse.
Water resistance
As talked about within the materials part of this assessment, the fabric is waterproof however not 100%. I’d not use this backpack when pack rafting for instance. However I’m assured that you’ll have no points when utilizing this backpack within the rain.
In fact, something on the skin of the pack, whether or not within the facet pockets or rear pockets will get moist.
Sizes and Match
The HMG Unbound 40L backpack is available in 4 sizes, particularly Small, Medium, Giant, and Tall. I discovered the sizes to be precisely as said however with sufficient wiggle room to let you match into a number of sizes, particularly in case you are in-between sizes.
Take a look at the Sizing Information on the HMG Unbound product web page. Search for the hyperlink ‘Assist Me Decide My Dimension‘.
Carrying Water – pockets or water bladder pocket
The Unbound has bigger facet pockets than their cousins the South West and Windrider. With the bigger facet pockets comes a greater and safer strategy to carry water bottles or a water bladder. There isn’t a capacity to hooked up and use a hydration bladder throughout the backpack.
HMG Unbound 40L vs different backpacks
The HMG Unbound is up in opposition to some stiff competitors within the ultralight backpack market. A number of the stiffest competitors comes inside their very own lineup of backpacks, the HMG Southwest, HMG Junction, and HMG Windrider.
It may very well be stated that the Unbound is a lighter and extra fundamental model of the Junction with extra exterior storage choices and constructed with light-weight thru-hiking in thoughts. And for that perform, this backpack excels.
Worth
The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40L is available in at round $369 on the time of this assessment. That locations it on the greater finish of the worth vary for ultralight backpacks. There are a few ultralight backpacks which are dearer however in my view, the standard of this top-tier backpack makes it price the associated fee.
Conclusion
The brand new Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40L Ultralight Backpack is likely one of the higher backpacks in the marketplace in 2024. There’s little or no to fault on this pack and quite a bit to love. For instance, in comparison with different light-weight packs the HMG pack appears to be extra sturdy and may final a bit longer than another packs. However at 49 liters of complete capability, it is vitally a lot for the ultralight backpacker who has already dialed of their ultralight backpacking gear.
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Regularly Requested Questions
Are Hyperlite Mountain Gear Backpacks any Good?
Hyperlite Mountain Gear makes a few of the greatest light-weight and ultralight backpacks in the marketplace. The brand new Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40L is a good light-weight backpack. So is the HMG SouthWest, HMG Windrider, and HMG Junction fashions.
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The creator, Brad McCartney from BikeHikeSafari is a small unbiased adventurer and out of doors gear tester who owns and runs BikeHikeSafari.com.
BikeHikeSafari isn’t half of a giant weblog community and is proudly unbiased. All opinions on this website are unbiased and sincere gear opinions of out of doors merchandise by the creator.
The creator, Brad McCartney is a really skilled triple crown thru-hiker, adventurer, and bike tourer having spent 1000s of nights sleeping in a tent and sleeping bag (Learn extra). He was a supervisor of an out of doors retail retailer and may be very skilled in what’s vital when utilizing and testing gear for opinions like this.
BikeHikeSafari won’t ever obtain any cash for opinions and they don’t settle for sponsored opinions on this web site. All of the feedback in regards to the gear opinions are from the creator primarily based on his years of expertise. Hope this unbiased assessment was useful for you.
