Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Southwest 40L Backpack for Sale, Reviews, Deals and Guides

I don't just hand out 5 stars on a review, unless a product truly deserves it. This pack falls into that elite group of gear that is near perfect in its design. The Southwest 2400 from HMG is a workhorse of an ultralight pack, and is ideal IMO for the experienced mountain enthusiast who requires going fast and light. I'm 6'1", 175lbs, and went with the large in white. The white and black options differ in strength/durability of the dyneema used in construction. I chose white for the best weight savings, and found it to be plenty burly for my most recent trip - a 7 day thru-hike across the Uinta Mountains in eastern Utah. I started with 30lbs of gear on day one, and initially was worried with the pack fit/comfort. I remembered a review that mentioned the pack needs a couple trail days to "break in" and shape to your body, and I found this to be true. By day 3, the pack was honestly one of the most comfortable packs I've ever used in 12 years of mountain travel. Impressive for how minimal it is. In the mountains, I believe simplicity is king. This pack is exactly that - simple. It has one main compartment with a roll top closure (great because it makes the pack waterproof, so no need for a pack cover), 2 hip belt pockets for frequently-used items, and 3 stretch pockets on the sides and front of the pack that are perfect for water bottles, tent/trekking poles, bear spray, maps, jackets, etc. Major Pros: 1) SO LIGHT - only 28.6 oz in the size large so ~1.9 pounds 2) Ultra durable for the weight - this thing is tough (dyneema is amazing) 3) quality craftsmanship and made in the USA - big ups to HMG for this! 4) 2 aluminum stays in the back panel provide good stability and carry for an ultralight pack in this category (major reason I chose this pack over others) Only Con: 1) the back panel is also made of dyneema, which does not breath, so my back got pretty sweaty. Honestly, not a big deal, because I sweat with any backpack, but there was no real airflow behind my back to help alleviate this. Minor IMO compared to how great this pack is. I foresee using this pack not only for UL backpacking, but also for mountaineering/alpine ascents, and even ski touring in the winter. I'm thinking of keeping it packed as a SAR bag for searches in the winter when patrolling - no time to deal with bells and whistles when someone's life could be on the line. Bottomline: if you consider yourself an experienced mountain traveler, don't need frills, and you are looking for an ultralight pack to accomplish pretty much any objective, this pack will get you to the end of the journey and back.

I was looking for a durable, lightweight, minimalistic bag. This bag is essentially a giant dyneema drybag with some well executed features transforming it into a fantastic bag. Impressions after using this bag for a while as a Crag bag to haul climbing gear on hikes and backpacking with it. * Light as a feather, non sarcastically I think if you tied a string to this bag and took the straps off you could use it as a kite. * Super comfortable load distribution, straps feel great, waist belt feels snug and comfortable. * Extra pockets are actually useful * Very waterproof, I was skeptical but this baby is at home in a torrential downpour (Though be aware it only has one pocket so if you open it the water is going straight in like a bucket) * Didn't make my back hot or uncomfortable, I was concerned it would but it felt breatheable despite being a sheet against your back. This bag is great, I am really stoked to use it more!

I just used this pack on my second thru-hike on the LT and it is honestly the best backpack I've ever used. It carries the load comfortably, stays waterproof in a downpour, and its white color makes it easy to see your gear inside the pack. Another feature I liked is that the rounded flat bottom allows it to stand upright when placed on the ground or in a shelter. I decided to go with the Southwest version because of the exterior pocket and I definitely put it to good use on the trail. It's a simple, light, and durable thru-hiking pack that I can't wait to use again.

I went out on a limb and purchased this pack after a lot of research. Many of my friends went with Deuter and Northface and their packs look and work fine. I never really liked top pouches or large frames. None of the bags are waterproof either. I took this bag to Scotland and Belize where it preformed superbly in the elements and function. I highly recommend purchasing the pods from Hyperlite which are a great organizational idea. The bag is noisy but I don't believe it is obnoxious. I purchased the black for aesthetics and belief that white would be hard to keep clean. There is a hydration port, but fitting it in the interior mesh is kind of a hassle. I purchased a smaller Mission Workshop 14L hydration pouch and mounted it to the outside to act as a smaller exploration pack. Works good enough. Huge plus that this pack, and the Mission Workshop pack, are produced ethically and return manufacturing jobs to the US.

Excellent build quality, great versatility--outside pocket is actually large enough to be useful, waistband pockets also functional (unlike some which are useless once the strap is cinched tight). Exceptionally lightweight, and good size for travelling (small enough to be carry-on luggage for international flights). My only complaint is that it's noisy--the roll-top closure has a velcro closure at the opening, so every time you open the pack you get the velcro detaching noise. Unsuitable for red-eye flights, wildlife photography, or anywhere else you want to be quiet. The Dyneema itself is a little "crinkly" noisy, but not nearly as bad as the velcro.

HMG packs are incredibly lightweight and durable. I've never had a pack stand up to so much abuse. The 2400 series is the perfect size for skiing/snowboarding/backpacking/hiking/bikepacking/you name it. The most versatile backpacks i have ever used!