Hyperlite Mountain Gear 4400 Southwest 70L Backpack for Sale, Reviews, Deals and Guides

I really want to love this backack. However, the waist belt pockets on my Southwest 4400 are way too small. I was under the impression that Hyperlite Mountain gear had begun manufacturing the backpacks with larger pockets due to customer request. The ones on my backpack are extremely small. I am very unsatisfied with that aspect of the backpack because I actually do really need the larger sized pockets for photography gear. This backpack doesn't hold the advertised weight capacity comfortably at all. Not even close. No matter how I packed and used the compression on the top of the pack to adjust the load, It didn't work for me. If the manufacturer makes claim that this series of series of backpack will hold a higher weight limit to comfortably carry gear, then I beleive it should be true. , It desperately needs a load lifting system. So to try and help the poor weight capacity issue, I had to make my own load lifting system, in a non-destructive manner, with a series of special hardware an straps. I nearly cured the problem completely. Due to my own error, I purchased the color white. Big mistake in my own opinion. I just returned home from an 8 day Photography and Fishing trip to the Windriver range and the pack looks horrible. I have used it one time and it looks completely beat up. Oh well on that one. Function over fashion rules. I love the quality of the materials and the obvious attention to detail that has been put into this peice of equipment, especially in comparison to other ultralite peices of equipment that I own, have used and fall beneath the appearance of the pride in workmanship that has been put into this backpack. I only wish I had a modified model with the larger pockets!! And a permanent load lifting system is a must have for this backpack. The pack was purchased in January and I had nothining to compare it to. Unless the modification to larger hip belt pockets took place after I purchased my backpack, that's a bad one on you Backcountry.com. For how much was paid for this gear, it should be up to date.

I've only taken this pack on one 3.5 day 68.3 mile back packing trip so far. But it was great! Very lightweight, and well made. It fits me very well and was very comfortable with a 28lbs starting pack weight. Im very impressed with the water resistance of the matterial. Had some hard rain on my second day and everything stayed dry. I would recommend to anyone who is interested in an ultra light pack!

I went with this size because the extra ounces are worth the versatility. I've used this pack on over-night trips in the San Juans (see picture) and week long through hikes in Hell's Canyon. This pack is minimalist, but still has all the necessary bells and whistles (tie downs, great external pockets, torso strap) that I'm not willing to sacrifice. I'm 6' tall, but I have a relatively small torso. I have a medium pack.