Hyperlite Mountain Gear Waypoint 35
Ultralight Pack
~$380

Hyperlite Mountain Gear

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Waypoint 35

HMG's lightest framed pack is the Waypoint 35: a single aluminium stay in a 35 L laminate body with 6.5 L of stretch-mesh outside pockets and a padded, pocketed hipbelt that comes off. It fills the slot between the frameless Contour 35 and the two-stay Unbound 40.

Approx. price
~$380
Capacity
35 L
Weight
1.5 lbs
Best For
Sub-10 lb base weights that still want a stay and a real hipbelt
Type
Ultralight Pack
Frame Type
Internal Frame
Capacity
35 L
Weight
1.5 lbs
Max Recommended Load
Up to 40 lbs; HMG recommends a base weight around 10 lb
Torso Fit
Sized S/M/L/Tall: S 15-17 in, M 17-19, L 19-21, Tall 21+ in
Material
Dyneema Composite Hybrid 3.8 and 5.1 with 100D Dyneema Gridstop and Dyneema Stretch Mesh UL
Back Panel
Sewn-through foam panel with a single removable stay
Warranty
Guaranteed against manufacturing defects, no term stated
Raincover Included
No
Fits BV500 Bear Canister
No

Features

Hipbelt Pockets

Pros

  • ✓HMG's lightest framed pack: 23.5 oz with a single aluminium stay and a padded hipbelt.
  • ✓Rated to 40 lbs, the same ceiling as the 55 L Southwest, in a 35 L body.
  • ✓DCH 3.8 on the body keeps the weight down while 5.1 reinforces the wear points.
  • ✓The hipbelt is padded, pocketed and removable, so the pack strips to a summit sack.
  • ✓Four torso lengths, S through Tall.
  • ✓6.5 L of external pocket volume in stretch mesh for layers and water.

Cons

  • ✗$380 is $30 more than the frameless Contour 35 for one stay.
  • ✗A 40 lb rating in a 35 L pack is academic; HMG itself suggests a base weight around 10 lb.
  • ✗Dyneema Stretch Mesh UL is the lightest of HMG's mesh grades and the first thing to wear.
  • ✗No hydration sleeve is listed, no lid and no rain cover.
  • ✗Torso length comes in four fixed sizes rather than adjusting.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40
~$395
Ultralight Pack

Hyperlite Mountain Gear

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40

4.8(4)

The Unbound 40 is HMG's fast-and-light pack for dialed kits, with a stretch front pocket and bottom pocket aimed at hikers who move all day and camp minimally. At 40 liters it suits sub-10-lb base weights and shorter resupply intervals.

40 L1.71 lbsFast & Light

Weight

1.71 lbs

Capacity

40 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Also in 55 L

Best for: Dialed ultralighters with sub-10-lb base weights and frequent resupplies
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Contour 35
~$350
Ultralight Pack

Hyperlite Mountain Gear

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Contour 35

The Contour 35 is Hyperlite's frameless fast-and-light pack, and at 15.7 oz it is one of the few sub-pound packs on this site. Dyneema Composite Fabric makes it effectively waterproof at a weight woven fabrics cannot reach.

35 L0.98 lbsDCF with Dyneema Gridstop and stretch mesh

Weight

0.98 lbs

Capacity

35 L

Frame

Frameless

Best for: Fastpacking and low-base-weight trips where every ounce is counted
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Porter 55
~$410
Ultralight Pack

Hyperlite Mountain Gear

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Porter 55

For hauling loads, HMG makes the Porter: the same roll-top Dyneema body as the Southwest and Windrider, but with a solid-fabric exterior and no mesh or front pocket, built to be strapped to and dragged through brush. It comes in four volumes from 40 to 85 L, and the two larger sizes are rated to 60 lbs.

55 L2.0 lbsSolid Dyneema exterior

Weight

2.0 lbs

Capacity

55 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Also in 40 L / 70 L / 85 L

Best for: Heavy or awkward loads in Dyneema: packrafting, hunting approaches, winter trips
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 55
~$420
Ultralight Pack
3.9(8)

The Southwest 55 is Hyperlite Mountain Gear's flagship all-rounder, built from waterproof Dyneema Woven Composite with solid woven pockets for brush country. It's the pack that made white Dyneema the visual signature of modern thru-hiking.

55 L1.93 lbsWaterproof Dyneema

Weight

1.93 lbs

Capacity

55 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Also in 40 L / 70 L

Best for: Thru-hikers who want near-waterproof simplicity and can pay for it
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Windrider 55
~$420
Ultralight Pack

The Windrider is the Southwest with a large mesh front pocket in place of solid Dyneema, so wet gear can drain and dry. The 2025 overhaul moved the line to Dyneema Woven Composite and widened the shoulder straps.

55 L1.94 lbsDyneema Woven Composite with mesh front pocket

Weight

1.94 lbs

Capacity

55 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Also in 40 L / 70 L

Best for: Thru-hikers who want external stowage that drains
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Junction 55
~$420
Ultralight Pack

The Junction sits between the Southwest and Windrider: a hybrid front pocket that is part solid Dyneema and part mesh, aiming to combine the Southwest's durability with the Windrider's drainage. Same 2025 fabric overhaul as the rest of the line.

55 L1.91 lbsDyneema Woven Composite with hybrid front pocket

Weight

1.91 lbs

Capacity

55 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Also in 40 L

Best for: Hikers who want a compromise between drainage and abrasion resistance