Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28 vs Seek Outside Silverton 2300 1.1
Quick take: The Seek Outside Silverton 2300 1.1 costs $1 less; the Seek Outside Silverton 2300 1.1 carries more (38 vs 28 liters); the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28 is lighter (1.1 vs 2.2 lbs).
Which one to buy
The Aero 28 and the Silverton 2300 1.1 cost the same, give or take $1, and serve people moving at very different speeds. The Aero 28 is a fastpack on a running-vest harness, 1.1 lb with 8.5 L of external pockets and a 25 lb rating. The Silverton 2300 1.1 is a 38 L day-hunt and overnight bag with a removable 20 in frame sheet, a padded hipbelt and a MOLLE belt for add-on pockets, at 2.2 lb.
Fit may decide it before purpose does. Hyperlite sells the Aero in three torso sizes covering 15-21 in. Seek Outside makes the Silverton in one size built around a 17 in torso, so a long-torsoed buyer gets a better-fitting harness from the Aero.
The Silverton's long game is its upgrade path: the same bag mounts on Seek Outside's Revolution frame, sold as the $734 Revo Suspension Kit, which turns it into a load hauler. As shipped it carries no load rating, though, and that frame kit costs about twice the pack, so the upgrade is a real second purchase rather than a free bonus.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28
For runners and fastpackers who want a vest harness and a torso size chosen from three.
Seek Outside Silverton 2300 1.1
Makes sense if your torso is near 17 in and you want more volume, a frame sheet and the option to move the bag onto a Revolution frame later.
| Spec | Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28 | Seek Outside Silverton 2300 1.1 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $350 | $349 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Daypack | Daypack |
| Frame Type | Frameless | Internal Frame |
| Capacity | 28 L | 38 L |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs | 2.2 lbs |
| Max Load | Up to 25 lbs | Not specified by the manufacturer |
| Torso Fit | Sized S/M/L (S 15-17, M 17-19, L 19-21 in) | One size, designed around a 17 in torso |
| Material | DCH 3.8 with 100D Dyneema ripstop and Dyneema Stretch Mesh UL | UltraGrid |
| Back Panel | Frameless vest-style harness | Padded contact back panel with a removable 20 in frame sheet |
| Adjustable torso | No | No |
| Ventilated back | No | No |
| Raincover included | No | No |
| Hipbelt pockets | No | No |
| Removable lid | No | No |
| Hydration sleeve | No | Yes |
| Fits BV500 bear can | No | No |
| Warranty | Guaranteed against manufacturing defects, no term stated | Lifetime guarantee against defects in materials and workmanship, original owner; excludes neglect, misuse and modifications |
Pros & cons
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28
- ✓A vest-style harness keeps bottles and snacks on the chest, where a runner can reach them.
- ✓8.5 L of external pocket space is a lot for a 28 L pack.
- ✓Under 18 oz in Medium for a fully laminate body.
- ✓Three sizes rather than the stretch-to-fit sizing common on vest packs.
- ✓Roll-top closure lets the volume shrink for shorter outings.
- ✓Rated to 25 lbs, enough for a light overnight kit.
- ✗$350 matches the Vertex 32 for less internal volume.
- ✗DCH 3.8 is the thinnest HMG laminate and the least abrasion-resistant.
- ✗No frame or back panel listed, so load shape depends on packing.
- ✗A vest harness can feel hot compared with a conventional strap set.
Seek Outside Silverton 2300 1.1
- ✓Drops to 1 lb 12 oz with the frame sheet pulled.
- ✓The bag can later ride the Revolution frame, so it grows into a load hauler.
- ✓38 L fits an overnight kit, more than most day packs at this weight.
- ✓UltraGrid fabric throughout.
- ✓MOLLE-compatible belt takes add-on pockets where you want them.
- ✓Integrated top lid with its own pocket.
- ✗$349 is a lot for a framesheet day pack, and the frame kit nearly doubles it.
- ✗One torso size, built around 17 in.
- ✗No published load rating.
- ✗Hip-belt pockets are optional extras.
- ✗The back panel is not described as ventilated.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28 vs Seek Outside Silverton 2300 1.1: common questions
Which carries an overnight load better?▾
The Silverton has 10 L more and a removable frame sheet with a padded hipbelt, which suits a slower overnight. The Aero is rated to 25 lb and carries a light fastpacking kit, but on a vest harness with no frame.
Will the Silverton fit a long or short torso?▾
It comes in one size designed around a 17 in torso, so hikers well outside that should be cautious. The Aero 28 comes in small, medium and large, covering 15-21 in.
Can either pack grow into a hunting hauler?▾
Only the Silverton. Its bag mounts on Seek Outside's Revolution frame, sold together as the $734 Revo Suspension Kit. The Aero has no frame option and is built for running.