Hyperlite Mountain Gear Contour 35 vs Hyperlite Mountain Gear Elevate 22
Quick take: The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Elevate 22 costs $85 less; the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Contour 35 carries more (35 vs 22 liters); the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Contour 35 is lighter (0.98 vs 1.1 lbs).
Which one to buy
Day trips or nights out? The Elevate 22 is Hyperlite's summit-day pack and the Contour 35 is its fastpacking pack, and the $85 between them follows that line. Both are frameless roll-tops rated to 25 lb, and both come in the same three torso sizes from 15 to 21 in, so fit does not separate them.
The Contour gets you 13 L more, and a waterproof seam-taped DCF body at slightly less weight than the Elevate, though its stock hipbelt is plain webbing and the padded belt with pockets is a $29 add-on. Its roll-top keeps gear dry in sustained rain without a liner, and 35 L with a light kit carries two or three days of food before reaching the 25 lb mark. The catches are that there is no Y-strap over the top for a foam pad and that DCF fold lines wear and cost a lot to fix, even with Gridstop on the high-wear zones.
The Elevate is built from DCH 3.8, Hyperlite's thinnest laminate, which wears faster on rock. What it adds is day-hike convenience: a hydration port with a bladder hook. The Contour can do a day hike; the Elevate cannot do an overnight, and that asymmetry is most of what the $85 pays for.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Contour 35
Worth the extra $85 if you want one pack for fast overnights as well as big days, with a waterproof body.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Elevate 22
For summit days and scrambles only, where a bladder port matters more than overnight volume.
| Spec | Hyperlite Mountain Gear Contour 35 | Hyperlite Mountain Gear Elevate 22 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $350 | $265 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Ultralight Pack | Daypack |
| Frame Type | Frameless | Frameless |
| Capacity | 35 L | 22 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 in, M 17-19, L 19-21 in |
| Material | DCF with Dyneema Gridstop and stretch mesh | Dyneema Composite Hybrid 3.8 with Dyneema Stretch Mesh UL |
| Back Panel | Frameless | Frameless; back panel construction not specified |
| 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 | 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 Elevate 22
- ✓Three torso sizes in a 22 L daypack, which most brands sell in one.
- ✓17.5-18.0 oz across the sizes, about 1.5 oz under the Daybreak 22.
- ✓Rated to 25 lb, five more than the Daybreak at the same volume.
- ✓Roll-top closure adds volume and sheds rain better than a zip.
- ✓Hydration port and bladder hook for hands-free drinking.
- ✓The hipbelt detaches for scrambling or packing inside a larger bag.
- ✗DCH 3.8 is HMG's thinnest laminate and wears faster on rock than 5.1.
- ✗$265 for 22 L is steep beside fabric daypacks of the same size.
- ✗No hipbelt pockets are listed.
- ✗Torso length is fixed per size rather than adjustable.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Contour 35 vs Hyperlite Mountain Gear Elevate 22: common questions
Can the Contour 35 double as a day pack instead of buying the Elevate 22?▾
Yes. It is slightly lighter than the Elevate and the roll-top shrinks the volume, so it carries a day kit fine. You give up the Elevate's bladder hook, and you pay $85 more.
Is the Elevate 22 durable enough for scrambling?▾
Its DCH 3.8 is Hyperlite's thinnest laminate and wears faster on rock than the heavier versions. The removable hipbelt helps on scrambles, but expect more visible wear than on the Contour's DCF body with Gridstop reinforcement.
Do I need a liner in either pack?▾
On the Contour, the waterproof, seam-taped DCF and a closed roll-top keep gear dry through sustained rain, and owners add a liner only for deep fords. The Elevate's roll-top sheds rain better than a zip, though Hyperlite does not describe its seams as taped.