Hyperlite Mountain Gear Contour 35 vs Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28
Quick take: The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Contour 35 carries more (35 vs 28 liters); the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Contour 35 is lighter (0.98 vs 1.1 lbs).
Which one to buy
Hyperlite gives these two the same $350 price, 25 lb rating and three torso sizes, which leaves the harness as the choice. The Aero 28 wears like a running vest, with bottles and snacks on your chest and 8.5 L of external pockets. The Contour 35 uses conventional shoulder straps with a removable webbing hipbelt for stability rather than load transfer, so both packs put the weight on your shoulders.
For hiking-pace fastpacking, the Contour is the better pack. It is slightly lighter, holds more inside, and its DCF body is waterproof with taped seams; hipbelt pockets come only with a $29 padded-belt add-on. A closed roll-top keeps gear dry in sustained rain without a liner. The Aero's DCH 3.8 is Hyperlite's thinnest laminate, and the vest harness can run hot compared with normal straps.
The Contour has two quirks: there is no Y-strap over the top, so a foam pad has to ride in the side compression or front pocket, and DCF wears at fold lines and is expensive to repair in the field or at home. The Aero earns its place only if you run, where a vest that stops the load bouncing matters more than any of this.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Contour 35
The better fit for most fast hikers: more inside volume and a waterproof DCF body for the same price.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28
Worth choosing if you run sections of your route and want a vest harness that keeps water and food reachable at pace.
| Spec | Hyperlite Mountain Gear Contour 35 | Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $350 | $350 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Ultralight Pack | Daypack |
| Frame Type | Frameless | Frameless |
| Capacity | 35 L | 28 L |
| Weight | 0.98 lbs | 1.1 lbs |
| Max Load | Up to 25 lbs | Up to 25 lbs |
| Torso Fit | Sized S/M/L: S 15-17 in, M 17-19, L 19-21 in | Sized S/M/L (S 15-17, M 17-19, L 19-21 in) |
| Material | DCF with Dyneema Gridstop and stretch mesh | DCH 3.8 with 100D Dyneema ripstop and Dyneema Stretch Mesh UL |
| Back Panel | Frameless | Frameless vest-style harness |
| Adjustable torso | No | No |
| Ventilated back | No | No |
| Raincover included | No | No |
| Hipbelt pockets | No | No |
| Removable lid | No | No |
| Hydration sleeve | No | No |
| Fits BV500 bear can | No | No |
| Warranty | Guaranteed against manufacturing defects, no term stated | Guaranteed against manufacturing defects, no term stated |
Pros & cons
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Contour 35
- ✓15.7 oz with a removable webbing hipbelt; a padded hipbelt with pockets is a $29 add-on.
- ✓DCF is waterproof rather than water-resistant, so contents stay dry without a liner.
- ✓Dyneema Gridstop panels reinforce the areas DCF alone would wear through.
- ✓Hyperlite's build quality and seam taping are the benchmark in this segment.
- ✓35 L is enough for a genuinely light multi-day kit.
- ✓Stretch mesh front pocket swallows a wet shelter without opening the main bag.
- ✓Strong resale value, which offsets the price meaningfully.
- ✓Hyperlite has the deepest track record of any DCF pack maker.
- ✗$350 for 35 L and no frame is among the worst price-per-litre on this site.
- ✗Frameless at 35 L means the load rides on the shoulders entirely.
- ✗DCF creases and abrades at fold lines over time, which is inherent to the fabric.
- ✗No adjustable torso.
- ✗Difficult and expensive to repair compared with a woven nylon pack.
- ✗35 L cannot take a bear canister with a long food carry.
- ✗Warranty terms are less generous than the mainstream brands'.
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.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Contour 35 vs Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28: common questions
I hike fast but don't run. Is the Aero 28's vest still worth it?▾
Probably not. The vest keeps bottles on your chest and the load still at running pace, but it can feel hot next to normal straps. At hiking pace, the Contour 35's extra inside volume and waterproof DCF body serve you better for the same $350.
Which is more weatherproof?▾
The Contour 35. Its DCF body is waterproof and seam-taped, and a closed roll-top keeps gear dry through sustained rain; owners add a liner only as insurance for deep fords. The Aero 28 uses Hyperlite's thinner DCH 3.8 laminate.
Do these packs fit the same torso sizes?▾
Yes. Both come in small, medium and large covering 15-17, 17-19 and 19-21 in, with no adjustment within a size. Measure your torso and order the size it lands in for either pack.