My experience thru hiking and backpacking over 2,000 trail miles with the Hyperlite 2400 Southwest.
Lightweight, sleek, and durable
You really can’t go wrong with this pack. Yes, it is expensive, but it is an investment. I’ve taken this pack on Vermont’s Long Trail (273 miles), over half of the PCT (1,500 miles) and various multi-day trips.
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I remember coveting this pack for so long, and when I finally completed my first thru hike, the John Muir Trail, I realized how important it is to have a pack that fits properly as well as carries your gear comfortably day after day.
For my second thru hike, The Long Trail, I finally bought the Hyperlite 3400 Southwest. I knew the trail was bound to be wet and rainy, so I wanted a pack that would hold up in the elements. It was a great pack, but I realized that I never filled the pack quite enough. I sold the 3400 and downsized to the 2400.
I started the Pacific Crest Trail in 2021 with the Hyperlite 2400 Southwest and carried it for over 1000 miles to South Lake Tahoe. There I switched to a minimal Pa’lante V2. In Washington I switched back to the Southwest in order to carry warmer gear for potential snow, putting 1,500 miles on my Hyperlite pack while hiking the PCT.
The HMG Southwest comes in 3 sizes- the 2400 (40L), the 3400 (55L) and the 4400 (70L).
Lightweight
For the amount of features this pack boasts, it is super light. At around 2 lbs, it’s light enough to not compromise your base weight while boasting durability through those week long food carries. The weight transfers to the hips via hip belt exceptionally well, even when maxed out with recommended weight capacity.
Capacity
Darren and I carried Bear Vaults during the Sierra section of the PCT (required), and one day my back injury once again reared its ugly head. After attempting to rearrange my pack for a more comfortable carry, Darren offered to carry my Bear Vault for a day until the pain subsided. Keep in mind that we both carried the 40L 2400 Southwest. Surprisingly he was able to carry a BV500 and BV450 for the entire day, although his pack didn’t close fully. This pack can carry a load and a half and keep on going.
Lots of room to store gear.
The pockets on this pack are huge, both the side and front. A little too big for my needs but great for those long water carries, extra gear, times when you’re climbing and need to quickly shed and stuff the puffy… the pockets will accommodate most anything. They also include drainage holes so that the pockets don’t collect water during a heavy rain.
Waterproof
Dyneema is waterproof and the pack is seam sealed, so you won’t have to worry about your gear getting wet. Forget the pack cover, but it couldn’t hurt to bring a nyloflume pack liner just in case there is a torrential downpour and your pack magically springs a leak. In addition, I always bring a dry bag to keep my electronics safe.
Fit
A customizable fit works with a variety of body types. I had a difficult time finding a pack that fit my relatively short 5’4” female torso (16”), but a size Small fit me like a glove. I find the shoulder straps to be more comfortable for my narrow frame, as many other brands I tried had wider set straps.
Make sure you measure your torso to choose the right size, instructions can be found on Hyperlite’s website. If you find your hip and torso measurements don’t quite line up, you can have specific customizations made for a fee if you contact Hyperlite.
Function and Style
I personally love the white on black grid look of the Hyperlite. Yes, it gets dirty as hell, but the dirt tells the story of your journey along the trail. After using the pack on the Pacific Crest Trail it looked like a sad old brown paper bag. Knowing it still had a ton of life left in it, I soaked, cleaned and gently scrubbed the pack and it is back to looking like new! I like that the white body of the pack reflects the light and allows you to better see the gear inside.
The minimalistic design of the pack just works. Too many pockets or zippers and things start to get confusing. It’s easier to stay organized with a streamlined, minimal design.
Durability
My HMG Southwest held up against rain, desert cacti, bushwhacking, sharp Sierra rocks and more. This pack is rugged and well constructed. You won’t have to worry about a seam busting and the contents of your pack spilling out in the middle of the wilderness.
Removable stays for support
The removable aluminum stays are meant to help support a heavy load and distribute weight evenly to your hips. While hiking the PCT I carried a bear can through the Sierra, which changed the shape of my pack. I had a difficult time getting the pack comfortable, as the bear can was causing the aluminum stays to dig into my back. Once I removed the stays and rearranged the contents of my pack to form to my back, everything worked much better. I ended up leaving the stays in a hotel room in Mammoth Lakes and never used them again!
Things to consider-
Hip belt
To be honest I’m not a huge fan of bulky hip belts. The hip belt on the Hyperlite Southwest 2400 is relatively slim compared to most backpacks in the same class, but I prefer a stowable hip belt without pockets and to use a fanny pack instead. I typically don’t carry enough gear to warrant the extra hip belt support. That being said, for those times you have longer water or food carries, the hip belt in the Hyperlite will get you to your next campsite more comfortably.
Air flow
Your back will get sweaty, it’s a fact of life. My favorite packs don’t have good ventilation, but I’m ok with lack of airflow if the rest of the design is just about perfect. On the last day of the Long Trail I did end up getting a rash on my back from days of rain and wet clothing pressed against my skin. So pick your battles, I guess?
Durability
I know this one was a positive for me, BUT I had to put it out there that my partner Darren had durability issues with his black Hyperlite Southwest 2400. The black material is supposed to be thicker and more durable that the white, but for some reason after both using the packs for the exact same amount of time (over 1500 trail miles), his was riddled with holes and mine was (and still is) in great shape.
In conclusion-
I have used both the 3400 (55L) and 2400 (40L) versions of this pack. The weight difference is negligible, so get the larger size if you ever think you’ll need the extra space. I never found myself needing it and the extra length just got in the way. I’m happy I downsized to the 2400.
I love this pack. Are there improvements that could be made? Yes. Here are my thoughts for an even more minimal ultralight model that would suit my taste for fast packing.
Stowable hip belt without pockets.
Slightly less bulgy outer pockets as I never needed to fill them all the way.
No aluminum stays.
Mesh pockets built into the shoulder straps.
Bottom pocket for snacks.
Snaps instead of velcro to close the top of the pack because velcro sticks to and ruins everything!
Keep the design the same but with the above upgrades :)
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I’d highly recommend the Southwest for backpacking adventures. It’s an expensive investment, but if you backpack or thru hike often, it will hold up over the years and be well worth the purchase. HMG has a guarantee that if you receive a defective pack, they will repair or replace within 1 year of purchase. That peace of mind is priceless.
