Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound Backpack Evaluation [2024]

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That is an in-depth evaluate of the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40L Backpack in 2024. That is the most recent ultralight backpack from Hyperlite Mountain Gear and presumably the very best thus far.

When you’re uninterested in carrying a heavy backpack loaded filled with an excessive amount of gear and need to lighten your load, then a light-weight backpack will probably 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 useful options that almost all different packs do not need.

This evaluate has been expanded and up to date to mirror 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 available on the market for 2024.

How We Examined

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40L Backpack on this evaluate has been extensively evaluated and researched by the skilled creator who has greater than 30 years of expertise in Via-Mountaineering, Backpacking, and Mountaineering. He additionally spent a number of years managing a mountain climbing retail retailer and is thought to be an skilled on this subject. 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 trustworthy evaluate. Learn the Evaluation Coverage for additional particulars.

In-Depth Evaluation: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40L 2024

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40L Evaluation

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 needs to hold a variety of heavy gear

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40L is an ultralight backpack focused at anybody eager 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 won’t be for everybody. However after you have a lightweight and compact sleep system, have eliminated all of your unneeded luxurious gadgets, 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 excellent for locating a spot in your moist rain jacket after that quick 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 right 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 right 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 mix does job to maintain the pack in its authentic form.

WhenI examined the pack I discovered the Shoulder Harness to be snug and has the choice of including some extras to can help you customise your pack harness. Objects similar to 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, cellphone, headphones and extra into the hip belt pockets. It’s even sufficiently big to suit most ultracompact Mountaineering Cameras similar to a GoPro. They arrive full with a water-proof zip and are sufficiently big to maintain most individuals completely happy. If you wish to be ultralight, you’ll be able to take away it, or exchange it which is an efficient possibility for those who achieve or drop some weight. Or possibly you need to share the pack with a number of folks. Total, I discovered the hip belt pockets are greatest at school.

Weight

At 30.1 ounces or 853 grams which locations this backpack on the heavier finish of ultralight backpacks, however nicely inside the light-weight backpack class. There are a lot of different backpacks available on the market which can be lighter however few will probably 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 job of distributing a lot of the load onto the hip belt.

After I examined the backpack with heavier hundreds I discovered it was in a position to carry the masses fairly nicely. Like all ultralight backpacks, you should be cautious when packing. You could guarantee there aren’t any sharp objects towards your again. Although there’s a padded part between your gear and your again, it is just 1/4 of froth, so not adequate to cease an object like your cooking pot from poking into your again. Pack your backpack rigorously.

In case you are seeking to purchase a backpack like this, then you have already got light-weight mountain climbing gear or will probably 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 completely 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 completely 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 development of the fabric isn’t 100%. For many functions, it’s so near 100% waterproof that you need to fear an excessive amount of about your gear in a rain storm. Simply don’t use the backpack as a floatation machine 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 all the things 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 uncertain of the sturdiness. Nicely, 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 evaluate 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 means of the fabric and be eliminated with out ripping any of the fabric. So, all seems to be good for the long-term power of the fabric. It’s actually higher than what most different manufacturers use in the intervening time. I’m wondering how lengthy earlier than Dyneema Stretch Mesh is extra extensively adopted by different manufacturers.

Measurement 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 inner 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 might have a giant load to hold. Like the primary day leaving city when thru-hiking. Because of the roll-top design and compression straps the pack will 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 may be one predominant 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, sturdy, and has good stretch properties. After I examined this backpack I discovered this pocket to be excellent for storing rain gear, snacks, sunscreen, trash, and bathroom paper.

It is usually linked to a smaller outdoors pocket that can be utilized to entry gadgets on the very backside of the primary pocket. The smaller stretch pocket isn’t very large however is also used to retailer gadgets similar to mild snacks, sunscreen, or rest room paper.

There are additionally some useful daisy chain webbing loops on the again that may very well be used to connect one thing like a mountain climbing allow tag, hand sanitizer, or related. Though there aren’t any ice axe loops I’m positive you would use the webbing to make one thing work. I assume the daisy chains may very well be used for something your creativeness decides, a small carabiner with a consuming mug, possibly.

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.

Throughout the testing of this product I might throw the pack on the bottom totally loaded and sit on the bottom with the pack nonetheless on my again I had no points however I’m unsure how the pack would take care of a number of hundred days of me doing this. Having mentioned 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 sufficiently big 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 slightly 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 available on the market from different producers. This added sturdiness comes on the slight value of weight. This pack is slightly heavier than related designs from different producers. That’s the trade-off in the case of ultralight backpacking. Sturdiness vs weight.

Total, you shouldn’t have any points with this pack. It is vitally 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 evaluate, the fabric is waterproof however not 100%. I might not use this backpack when pack rafting for example. However I’m assured that you should 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, Massive, and Tall. I discovered the sizes to be precisely as said however with sufficient wiggle room to can help you match into a number of sizes, particularly if you’re in-between sizes.

Try the Sizing Information on the HMG Unbound product web page. Search for the hyperlink ‘Assist Me Choose My Measurement‘.

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 approach to carry water bottles or a water bladder. There is no such thing as a capacity to connected and use a hydration bladder inside the backpack.

HMG Unbound 40L vs different backpacks

The HMG Unbound is up towards some stiff competitors within the ultralight backpack market. A few 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 mentioned that the Unbound is a lighter and extra primary 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.

Value

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40L is available in at round $369 on the time of this evaluate. That locations it on the greater finish of the worth vary for ultralight backpacks. There are a few ultralight backpacks which can be costlier however in my view, the standard of this top-tier backpack makes it value the associated fee.

Conclusion

The brand new Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40L Ultralight Backpack is likely one of the higher backpacks available on the market in 2024. There may be 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 whole capability, it is vitally a lot for the ultralight backpacker who has already dialed of their ultralight backpacking gear.

Regularly Requested Questions

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