That is an in-depth evaluation of the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40L Backpack in 2023. That is the most recent ultralight backpack from Hyperlite Mountain Gear and probably one of the best to this point.
For those who’re uninterested in carrying a heavy backpack loaded stuffed with an excessive amount of gear and wish to lighten your load, then a light-weight backpack can be one thing you will want. And the New HMG Unbound 40L Backpack is their greatest effort but. This 40-liter pack is just not solely ultralight however waterproof and has some useful options that the majority different packs wouldn’t have.
I’ve hiked nearly 10000 miles / 16000 km in the previous couple of years on most of the greatest thru-hiking trails on the planet. I’ve used and examined a lot of the greatest backpacks that you would be able to purchase. In consequence, I do know what separates a very good backpack from a mean one.
So, I going to try the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40L Backpack and see in the event that they ship one of many greatest ultralight backpacks available on the market in 2023.
In-Depth Evaluation: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40L 2023
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 desires to hold numerous gear
> Solely are available 40L Capability
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 principle bag and 9L of storage within the facet and rear pockets.
This smaller-sized pack won’t be for everybody. However upon getting a light-weight and compact sleep system, have eliminated all of your unneeded luxurious objects, and wish 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 brief 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 dry desert part of the path. Hyperlite Mountain Gear actually put some thought and energy into the exterior storage areas on this pack.
General, 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 mixture does a very good job to maintain the pack in its authentic form.
The Shoulder Harness is comfy and has the choice of including some extras to will let you customise your pack harness. Gadgets akin 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 really like these. Excellent for cash, keys, lip balm, sunscreen, snacks, telephones, headphones and a lot extra. It’s even large enough to suit most ultracompact Mountaineering Cameras. They arrive full with a water-proof zip and are large enough to maintain most individuals completely happy. And if you wish to be ultralight, you’ll be able to take away it, or exchange it which is an efficient choice for those who acquire or shed some pounds. Or perhaps you wish to share the pack with a number of folks.
Weight
At 30.1 ounces or 853 grams which locations this backpack on the heavier finish of ultralight backpacks, however effectively inside the light-weight backpack class. There are various different backpacks available on the market which are lighter however few can 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 comfy and does a very good job of distributing a lot of the load onto the hip belt.
Once I examined the backpack with heavier hundreds I discovered it was in a position to carry the masses fairly effectively. Like all ultralight backpacks, you have to be cautious when packing. It’s essential to guarantee there aren’t any sharp objects towards your again. Though 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 fastidiously.
In case you are seeking to purchase a backpack like this, then you have already got light-weight mountain climbing gear or can 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 totally different supplies, specifically Dyneema Composite Hybrid Materials on the principle 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 totally different weights, specifically 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 is just not 100%. For many functions, it’s so near 100% waterproof that it’s best to fear an excessive amount of about your gear in a rain storm. Simply don’t use the backpack as a floatation system 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. I’m unable to touch upon the long-term energy and sturdiness of this product as there aren’t too many backpacks made with this materials.
Throughout testing, I attempted to poke a gap within the materials with sticks and failed. As I kind up this evaluation I made a decision to attempt to poke a gap in it with a pen. The pen was in a position to go partway by way of the fabric and be eliminated with out ripping any of the fabric. So, all appears to be like good for the long-term energy of the fabric. It’s actually higher than what most different manufacturers use in the mean time. I’m wondering how lengthy earlier than Dyneema Stretch Mesh is extra broadly 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 inside storage and 9 liters of exterior storage within the type of rear and facet pockets.
The design of the pack permits the principle compartment to broaden fairly a bit for these occasions you will have an enormous load to hold. Like the primary day leaving city when thru-hiking. Due to the roll-top design and compression straps the pack may 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’s one primary 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, robust, and has good stretch properties. Once I examined this backpack I discovered this pocket to be excellent for storing rain gear, snacks, sunscreen, trash, and bathroom paper.
It’s also linked to a smaller exterior pocket that can be utilized to entry objects on the very backside of the principle pocket. The smaller stretch pocket is just not very massive however may be used to retailer objects akin to mild snacks, sunscreen, or rest room paper.
There are additionally some useful daisy chain webbing loops on the again that might be used to connect one thing like a mountain climbing allow tag, hand sanitizer, or comparable. Though there aren’t any ice axe loops I’m certain you possibly can use the webbing to make one thing work. I assume the daisy chains might be used for something your creativeness decides, a small carabiner with a ingesting mug, perhaps.
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’d throw the pack on the bottom absolutely 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 just a few hundred days of me doing this. Having stated 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 large enough 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 might be stretched to hold somewhat 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 price of weight. This pack is somewhat heavier than comparable designs from different producers. That’s the trade-off in the case of ultralight backpacking. Sturdiness vs weight.
General, you shouldn’t have any points with this pack. It is extremely sturdy. I solely query the long-term sturdiness of the Dyneema Stretch Materials on the underside facet of the backpack. Time will inform on that one. Having stated that, the Dyneema Stretch materials is significantly better than nearly every other mesh materials that I’ve seen or used.
Water resistance
As talked about within the materials part of this evaluation, the fabric is waterproof however not 100%. I’d not use this backpack when pack rafting for example. However I’m assured that you’ll have no points when utilizing this backpack within the rain.
In fact, something on the surface 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, specifically Small, Medium, Massive and Tall. I discovered the sizes to be precisely as acknowledged however with sufficient wiggle room to will let 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 option to carry water bottles or a water bladder. There is no such thing as a capability to hooked up 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 might be stated that the Unbound is a lighter and extra fundamental model of the Junction with extra exterior storage choices and constructed with light-weight thru-hiking in thoughts. And for that operate, this backpack excels.
Worth
The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40L is available in at round $369 on the time of this evaluation. That locations it on the increased finish of the worth vary for ultralight backpacks. There are a few ultralight backpacks which are costlier however for my part, the standard of this top-tier backpack makes it value the price.
Conclusion
The brand new Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40L Ultralight Backpack is likely one of the higher backpacks available on the market in 2023. There’s little or no to fault on this pack and loads to love. For instance, in comparison with different light-weight packs the HMG pack appears to be extra sturdy and will final a bit longer than another packs. However at 49 liters of complete capability, it is vitally a lot for the ultralight backpacker who has already dialed of their ultralight backpacking gear.
Continuously Requested Questions
Hyperlite Mountain Gear makes a few of the greatest light-weight and ultralight backpacks available on the market. The brand new Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40L is a superb light-weight backpack. So is the HMG SouthWest, HMG Windrider, and HMG Junction fashions.
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The creator, Brad McCartney from BikeHikeSafari is a small impartial adventurer and out of doors gear tester who owns and runs BikeHikeSafari.com.
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The creator, Brad McCartney is a really skilled triple crown thru-hiker, adventurer, and bike tourer having spent 1000s of nights sleeping in a tent and sleeping bag (Learn extra). He was a supervisor of an out of doors retail retailer and may be very skilled in what’s vital when utilizing and testing gear for critiques like this.
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