THE GEAR LAB

You know you love it. Let’s talk about favorites, tips, maintenance and repair, and items wished for. Here you’ll also find news and education from the Hyperlite Mountain Gear R&D Team.

ANG TSHERING LAMA'S GEAR LIST FOR THE WORLD'S HIGHEST PEAKS
Look no further for the best gear advice you'll find when it comes to reaching the highest summits on the planet! Our good friend Ang Tshering Lama is the owner of Ang's Himalayan Adventures, and he and his crew help climbers successfully and safely navigate that otherworldly terrain above 8k meters. His testing and…
SHAKEDOWN 2.0: WILL PETERSON'S AERO 28 FKT/FASTPACKING KIT
Words and Photo from Will Peterson We're longtime fans of Will Peterson here at Hyperlite Mountain Gear. His humble but wry smile and "Hold my sports drink and watch this" attitude never ceases to impress, nor does his ever-expanding and incredibly impressive FKT and adventure resume. The R&D Team here was thrilled to hear…
WHO'S HAD A HAND IN YOUR GEAR? MEET CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE MASTER, MAX KIEL
NAME: Max Kiel POSITION AT HMG: Customer Experience Manager YEARS WITH HMG: Two WHAT'S YOUR BACKGROUND PRIOR TO WORKING HERE? I was born and raised in the southern Hudson Valley region of New York, about 60 miles north of Manhattan. This region of New York, unbeknownst to many, has amazing access to a plethora of outdoor…
MATT GRAHAM AND THE EVOLUTION OF THE AERO 28
Words and Photos by Matt Graham My name is Matt Graham. I grew up in Southern California, and I come from an endurance and triathlon background. But moving to Yosemite as a teenager, I found this love for multi-day running and learning to stay in the backcountry with all my essentials for days or weeks at a time. Running…
THEN AND NOW: 50 YEARS OF THE COLORADO TRAIL
Words from Jenner Haseltine (Kardi) Photography by Cody Jackson (Feathers) 8/19/2024 “Imagine a hiking trail that will trace a 350-mile (now 486-mile) route through some of the most interesting and varied mountain country in Colorado. Make it a gentle trail, not a back-breaker so that anyone in modest physical condition…
WHO’S HAD A HAND IN YOUR GEAR? MEET MORGAN VALLIERE
Welcome to the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Shipping Department, where our Shipping Manager, Morgan Valliere, tirelessly answers your call for a better backcountry experience! Before the gear you've ordered gets in your hands, it all goes through hers. Thanks for keeping your colleagues and fellow adventurers stoked, Morgan!…
TESTING AFTER DARK: JEFF WOHL'S 40-DEGREE QUILT REVIEW
Words and Photos by Jeff Wohl WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU DO I'm Jeff Wohl, a professional backpacker, if there is such a thing, or maybe just someone lucky enough to make a living teaching others in the outdoors in remote, beautiful, and wild places. I do this on foot, by ski, horseback, climbing, canyoneering, and caving.…
SHAKEDOWN 2.0 – PROFESSOR CARL
Words and Photos by Carl Stanfield - IG - @prof_carl Bust out your waterproof notebooks, Trailheaders! Today's topic is a shakedown, and the Professor is in! Carl "Professor" Stanfield has dumped out the contents of his pack to show you what he's carrying these days and why. With an odometer that just won't stop rolling…
GEARING UP FOR THE COLORADO TRAIL WITH JENNER HASELTINE
Words and Photos by Jenner Haseltine @jennerhaseltine To the hiker trash it may concern–My name is Jenner, and I’ll be starting the Colorado Trail in Denver on August 12, 2024. Like everyone else in Denver, I transplanted there five years ago from my hometown in Vermont and have been eying up the CT ever since. My good…
WAYPOINT 35 FIELD REVIEW–CODY JACKSON
Words and Photos from Cody Jackson Howdy! Cody here, an outdoor enthusiast, thru hiking/backpacking extraordinaire, an aspiring photographer, and a proud dog dad and husband! If you catch me on trail, some call me Feathers. I've been a big fan of the ol' walking adventures since I catapulted myself onto the Appalachian…
SHAKEDOWN 2.0 – LIZ KIDDER
Words and photos by Liz “Handstand” Kidder @lizkidder, IG - @lizkidder The Shakedown 2.0 has fresh legs and a belly full of Nutella! Get in step with some familiar faces and some new contributors as we dive into what some of our favorite backpacking friends are carrying these days and why. There's sure to be some new…
Mid 1 Insert
I had the pleasure of spending two nights in the Mid 1 insert in Grand Canyon in April, and thought I would share my thoughts for interested folks. Pros: Lightweight Packs down small High Quality Phone / glasses pocket Bathtub floor Cons: Not as easy to set up as the Ultamid 4 insert. Getting the toggles into the loops in…
Alternative uses for HMG products
The above photo is me at the highest elevation I've ever visited - Tibetan Everest Base camp, 5150m or roughly 16,900 feet. It was the last and only time I've been in the Himalayas, almost 20 years ago. The release of the Halka packs got me thinking: while I certainly don't NEED another pack, is there an alternative use…
Feeling Young Again While Gear Testing the Contour 35
Over time, gear can become a little bit like any other sensory input that triggers a memory… seeing a particular model pack or tent I used to hike with can be a little bit like hearing a song I had forgotten about, or seeing a picture of an old friend. Suddenly I am transported back in time to when I thought rolling my…
INTRODUCING THE CONTOUR 35 - FRAMELESS FOR THE FEARLESS
Fresh from months and months of testing, and fresher still from the skilled hands of our gear makers, is the Contour 35 - "35" being the liters, and "Contour" relating to the shape it follows against your back. Our first frameless pack with high-mileage intentions, it's built for the intersection where knowledge and…
THE INSULATOR - FOR A CAMERA LENS?
Has anyone tried The Insulator to hold a camera lens? I love the Camera Pod so much and pretty much use it daily for work. I think the Insulator could make a perfect companion to hold an additional lens. Anyone try it?
THE SHAKEDOWN 2.0 – SCOTT NECHEMIAS
@snechemias IG - @alongthewaypoints THE SHAKEDOWN 2.0 marches on with some familiar faces and some new contributors! Dive into what some of our favorite backpacking friends are carrying these days and why. There's sure to be some new advice, trail-earned best practices to share, and other tips and tricks to add to your own…
THE INFLATE DEBATE: INFLATABLE PADS VS FOAM PADS
Words and Photos by @Abby_Evans @abbigator53 Getting a comfortable night's sleep in the backcountry is essential for a happy backpacking trip. However—what you choose to sleep on can make or break your sweet dreams. Usually, backpackers are between two options: an inflatable pad and a foam one. Below are the pros and cons…
MUST HAVE, SHOULD HAVE, WANNA HAVE: BRETT DAVIS
We asked our friends and fellow adventurers across a broad spectrum of outdoor specialties to take a look in their gear piles and pick three items–one for each of the following categories: MUST: Don’t go roam without it! SHOULD: Maybe you can still get after it without one, but you should seriously consider adding it to…
SHAKEDOWN 2.0 – JESSICA KELLEY
Words and Photos by Jessica Kelley THE SHAKEDOWN 2.0 marches on with some familiar faces and some new contributors! Dive into what some of our favorite backpacking friends are carrying these days and why. There's sure to be some new advice, trail-earned best practices to share, and other tips and tricks to add to your own…
LOGISTICS OF A SNOW ROLL: BIKESKIING WITH STRATTON MATTESONS
Words, Photos, and Video from Stratton Mattesons @cascadeconnections Typically speaking, a "legit adventure" is anything but "standard issue." But how we begin or reach the starting point of one of these adventures often employs fairly common tactics: driving or flying. In 2019, in the heat of the Climate Crisis,…
UPGRADE THE SUMMIT 30 TO MINI-PORTER
Okay so I know that the Summit is based on the Porter but why not upgrade it and start treating it like a Porter? After a few 2-4 day trips with my "Mini-Porter" I thought I would reveal the formula out there. The recipe is simple, all you'll need is: (And some of your best packing skills!) Let's break it down: The Stuff…
THE SHAKEDOWN 2.0 – ELOISE ROBBINS
THE SHAKEDOWN marches on with some familiar faces and some new contributors! Dive into what some of our favorite backpacking friends are carrying these days and why. There's sure to be some new advice, trail-earned best practices to share, and other tips and tricks to add to your own adventuring! Gear has obviously…
THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE TRAIL: CHOOSE YOUR PACK WITH TINA CURRIN
Words and Photos by Tina "Cash Money" Currin, @tina @tinacurrin Ah, the transition from the icy clutches of midwinter to the tentative embrace of early spring — always an auspicious moment for hikers. The trails, once imprisoned by frost, begin their slow thaw. Long-distance permits, like tickets to an exclusive party, may…
Hoody
Hi what hoodie (gray) is that in the fifth picture just above the pack section?
MUST HAVE, SHOULD HAVE, WANNA HAVE: KAITLYN BOYLE
Words and Photos from Kaitlyn Boyle We asked our friends and fellow adventurers across a broad spectrum of outdoor specialties to take a look in their gear piles and pick three items–one for each of the following categories: MUST: Don’t roam without it! SHOULD: Maybe you can still get after it without one, but you should…
THE HALKA 55 and 70 ORIGIN STORY: MEET ANG TSHERING LAMA
Words and Photos by Ang Tshering Lama and HMG While it may sure seem like packs made for mountaineering expeditions above 8k meters is unchartered territory for Hyperlite Mountain Gear, a handful of explorers over the years have keenly observed what thousands of backpackers and climbers have achieved with our packs from…
Any quick release solutions for attaching the Camera Pod?
Really like the camera pod, have used it in Iceland on 2 trips and was able to attached the provided caribeaners to the sternum strap on my camera backpack. Worked well, buckle held the pod on the strap so I could simply release the stermun strap to take off the pack and the pod would stay on the sternum strap. I now have…
THE SHAKEDOWN 2.0 – TINA CURRIN
The Trailhead - @tina , IG - @tinacurrin Drumroll - THE SHAKEDOWN IS BACK! We're excited to unleash 2.0 after a multi-year hiatus! With some familiar faces and some new contributors, we're going to dive into what some of our favorite backpacking friends are carrying these days and why. There's sure to be some new advice,…
THE WAYPOINT 35: STEALIN' REBECCA SPERRY'S HEART
Words and Photos from @sockedinhikes If you’ve followed along on my hiking journey for any amount of time, you know that I am a diehard Hyperlite backpack fan. Since 2019, I have worn the same backpack on 99.9% of my hikes, the Hyperlite Southwest 40, and when asked whether I recommend this pack, the answer is always a…
WHO’S HAD A HAND IN YOUR GEAR? MEET OUR FOUNDER, MIKE ST. PIERRE
Name: Mike St.Pierre Position at HMG: Founder / CEO Years with HMG: 13 Products you've worked on: All of them in some way, shape, or form. What's your background prior to working here? I was born in Pennsylvania and moved to NYC right after high school to continue my pipe dream of becoming a professional guitar player. I'm…
THE APPROACH DUFFEL EVERYDAY CARRY
I wish I was able to spend all my time outdoors in the backcountry. Unfortunately, modern society has constructed a system where I must sacrifice 40+ hours a week to pay for expensive groceries and overpriced real estate to provide for my family. In order to justify my additional outdoor purchases, I love to find everyday…
TRAILHEAD POLL: NAVIGATIONAL AIDS
The only piece of navigation equipment you need when doing an established thru hiking route is a cell phone–why or why not? Make sure you're signed in to vote, and jump in the comments below!
First thoughts on Elevate 22
Took my new Elevate 22 pack out for a day hike over the weekend and I like it so much better than the Daybreak 17. The Elevate feels more like a technical day pack and has a lot of awesome features, but there are a few things I wish it had and would love to see on future iterations of the product. What I like: Size, 22L is…
Camera Pod Sizing?
Would love to hear what size Camera Pod you all use for your specific camera setups. Thinking this will be helpful for everyone! I currently use a large for my Nikon D750 with 24-70 lens. It fits pretty perfectly, without the camera strap (which I barely use).
THE SHOULDER POCKET FOR PHOTO NERDS
I have been so excited to get my hands on the Shoulder Pocket. I have absolutely fallen in love with the Camera Pod and I was assuming the Shoulder Pocket was going to complete my photography easy-access needs. I was correct. The shoulder pocket perfectly holds my two essential items when I'm outside doing anything. My…
THE SHAKEDOWN 2.0 – ESZTER HORANYI
Words and Photos from Eszter Horanyi @eszter IG -@ez_gone_coddiwompling Our pal Eszter Horanyi has been hanging out outside, riding a bike for as long as she can remember, and is also an avid packrafter and photographer. She found her 15-minutes of fame in bikepacking, racing and setting women’s records on a variety of…
THE SHAKEDOWN 2.0 – PETER BUGG
The Trailhead - @bugglife , IG - @plbugg Stepping next into the Shakedown 2.0 arena is our friend and frequent Trailhead contributor, Peter Bugg. As a keen learner and relentless "best-kit-for-the-task-at-hand" modifier, there's always a lot to unpack from his gear lists. No, wait - pack is probably more fitting. Let's see…
MUST HAVE, SHOULD HAVE, WANNA HAVE: ABBIGALE EVANS
Words and Photos by @Abby_Evans - @abbigator53 We asked our friends and fellow adventurers across a broad spectrum of outdoor specialties to take a look in their gear piles and pick three items–one for each of the following categories: MUST HAVE: Don’t go roam without it! SHOULD HAVE: Maybe you can still get after it…
New HMG Pack Design Idea
"Northrim Mini" 30L pack size Removable hipbelt with large DCHW pockets Velcro-adjustable side pockets (meaning you can cinch the top of the side pockets closed tightly with velcro when needed during hairy scrambling, mountaineering, etc.) Include drainage holes. - also made of DCHW fabric Reinforced pack bottom and rear…
WHAT TREKKING POLES DO YOU RECOMMEND?
I recently got the Unbound 2p Tent and realized my fixed-length Leki trekking poles of 130cm weren't going to work for my tent poles. What variable length poles do you recommend? I really like the idea of the Leki Cross Shark System but I'm open to any brands and designs. Curious to what you all recommend. Thanks!
THE ULTIMATE ULTRALIGHT CAMERA FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS
As much as I love being outdoors, my passion is even greater for photography. I love taking photos of beautiful moments and sharing them with people. I find so much joy in sharing the beauty of this world and inspiring others to get outside. One of my biggest struggles is the weight of professional camera gear. I love film…
APPALACHIAN TRAIL VS. PACIFIC CREST TRAIL GEAR LIST SHOWDOWN
Words and Photos by Abbigale Evans @abbigator53 Before After I almost changed my entire gear setup from my thru hike of the Appalachian Trail to my upcoming journey along the Pacific Crest Trail. Although both trails are upwards of 2,000 miles, the PCT is a very different beast. On the AT, the biggest environmental…
A PACK IS BORN: CODY TOWNSEND SHARES THE CRUX 40 STORY
Words from Cody Townsend, Photos from Cody Townsend and Bjarne Salen NAME: Cody Townsend RESIDENCE: Tahoe City, CA YEARS SKIING: 38 Years CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: I could say the awards, contests, and accomplished peaks are the highlights, but to be honest, my biggest highlight is still being here, still getting to ski for a…
THE ALL-NEW WAYPOINT 35 IS HERE! PAIRS WELL WITH THE SEASONED BACKPACKER
Today, we’re excited to announce the arrival of our latest master of mileage, the Waypoint 35! Designed for the backpacker that’s been around the trail a few times, it’s a stripped-down, function-first, just-what-you-need pack with the perfect volume for today’s solo shelters or tarps, highly compressible quilts, and all…
WHO’S HAD A HAND IN YOUR GEAR? MEET VICTORIA RUDE
Name: Victoria Rude Position at HMG: Director of R&D Years with HMG: 7.5 Products you’ve worked on: Most things in some capacity in the last year and a half. The River Rescue Throw Bag was one of the first things I designed when I started here. Also The Shell. What’s your background prior to working here? I grew up in New…
WHO’S HAD A HAND IN YOUR GEAR? MEET TIMOTHY WENTZELL
Name: Timothy Wentzell @tjwentzell Position at HMG: Ideation Designer Years with HMG: Going on my third trip around the sun with HMG Products you’ve worked on: I've had my hands, or at least a couple fingers, in just about every product development since joining the team. What’s your background prior to working here? I…
WHO'S HAD A HAND IN YOUR GEAR? MEET JOSH STEIN
Name: Josh Stein Position at HMG: R&D Research Coordinator Years with HMG: Three Products you’ve worked on: Headwall 55, Unbound 40, Mid 1 & Mid 1 Tarp, Crux 40, Elevate 22, Vice Versa What’s your background prior to working here? Born in Maine. I took a less-than-conventional route into the outdoor industry. I started…
TINKERIN' AT TINKER CLIFFS: AN UNBOUND 40's MAIDEN VOYAGE
Words and Photos from @Abby_Evans @abbigator53 I took the Unbound 40 on a shakedown hike on October 15th and 16th. I was excited to try out the pack and was heading out to Daleville to hike the short 12 miles to Tinker Cliffs with my friend, who was weeks away from finishing his southbound thru hike of the Appalachian…
WHO'S HAD A HAND IN YOUR GEAR? MEET NASH CALVIN
Name: Nash Calvin Position at HMG: Technical Pattern Designer Years with HMG: Under a year Products you’ve worked on: Elevate 22, Crux 40… Spring 24? What’s your background prior to working here? Prior to working here, I was completing my undergraduate degree at Utah State University. The degree was in Outdoor Product…
PLAYIN’ FAVORITES ON THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL–GEAR THAT MADE THE MILES GO BY
Words and Photos from Abby Evans During my Appalachian Trail thru hike, there were several sections that made me seriously debate why it was exactly that I was voluntarily choosing to do it. The rocks in Pennsylvania that tore through my shoes. The mosquitos in New York that left me with thirty bug bites every night. The…
INTRODUCING THE MID 1 - AN ULTRALIGHT SHELTER FOR SINGLES
Your pack, loaded with just what you need. Your schedule, whether it be when you wake up, your meal routine, how much you do or don’t feel like hiking in a given timeframe, and when you want to call it a day. There’s a lot to love about solo backpacking, and for those that wouldn’t have it any other way, we’re pleased to…
Using Gear for Daily Living
Hey Everyone, One of my favourite things about my hiking gear is when I get to use it in everyday life. My UL trowel doesn't come in handy that often when I'm at home but my packs sure do! I thought it would be cool to see how people are using their HMG gear off-trail. While I don't have a picture I recently found that the…
Climbing Gear Organization
I'm new to climbing and as those who climb know, I've become obsessed. The Southwest 55L and the Elevate 22 have become my go to packs for days out at the crag. I'm a bit of an organization freak and was curious if any of you guys have a good system in place for packing your quickdraws, carabiners and slings? I've been…
Finally got to test out the Elevate 22 :-)
I have been super excited about the Elevate 22 since it came out. Seemed like the perfect day hike pack for what I do around Southern California. Luckily enough for me, my Elevate 22 came in just in time for a hike my wife and I have been training for the last 6 months or so. We decided to tackle Cactus to Clouds. Cactus…
Cleaning suggestions?
Finished a thru hike of the Long Trail and our packs absolutely stink. BO! I don't mind the dirt and grass stains but the BO smell is bad. Any suggestions or recommendations for getting these things smelling better so we don't offend others and ourselves? Thanks!
DAILY DRIVER SETUP FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS
I work in the outdoor apparel industry at Florence, a new brand made for thriving in the elements. My coworker JP Olson and I end up shooting a lot of the photos for our brand out in the environment. While we’re on the run we try and pack light and bring only what we need so we can focus on moving fast and getting the best…
WHO WE RIDE/PADDLE/HIKE WITH: ANNIE LE
Words and Photos from Annie Le @AnnieLe WHO ARE YOU? Annie Le WHAT DO YOU DO? I'm a general outdoor freelancer; I do a mix of outdoor education, taking people hiking and camping in the mountains, as well as adventure tourism, gorge scrambling, rafting, and so on. My specialist skills would be cycling and bikepacking, and…
THE 30L APPROACH DUFFEL CALLED, LOOKING FOR YOUR GEAR
We're stoked to announce the return of our popular 30L Approach Duffel! The last time we made these available, they vanished pretty fast. Don’t panic, though! This time around, they’re here to stay! We like to keep things light, even in those times in transit from one big endeavor to the next, and once you get a taste for…
HYPERLITE MOUNTAIN GEAR'S BACKPACKING LIST FOR THE ULTRALIGHT CURIOUS
Huge skies, dense forests, shades of blue and green you’ve never imagined. Climbing peaks and covering distances you didn’t think you could. The sense of accomplishment one feels navigating trails, sleeping under the stars, braving the elements, and leaving easy, everyday conveniences behind cannot be understated! What’s…
IT HAS RETURNED: THE 140L EXPEDITION DUFFEL!
Rarely has a week gone by since we last offered this on the website, that someone–whether they're just rad gear curious or a member of the mega-accomplished explorer set–hasn't inquired, begged, or desperately pleaded for its return. The 140L Expedition Duffel, in all of its fully-woven Dyneema glory, is back! Built for…
Gear Testing the New MID1
If you’re journeying out to the Lower John Day River you’ll see some folks pulled over on the side of the road to take in the view. While some of them are looking at the chain of cascade volcanoes to the west, just as many are taking in the 200 and counting wind turbines that cover the landscape. This area is known as the…
WHO WE ROLL/SKI/PADDLE/CLIMB WITH: BRETT DAVIS
Words and Photos from Brett Davis @bdavis WHO AM I AND WHAT DO I DO? My name is Brett Davis, though most friends and my students call me “BD.” I am fortunate to call Durango, CO home where I have lived and worked as the Director of the Outdoor Pursuits program at Fort Lewis College for the past 15 years. I have been…
WHO WE HIKE WITH: LIZ KIDDER
Words and Photos from Liz Kidder @lizkidder WHO ARE YOU & WHAT DO YOU DO? Hey! I’m Liz, AKA Handstand! I don’t think what defines me is my demographic or profession— it’s what I am passionate about and how I try to live my life: freely & fully. I’ve always been a little rebellious and rejected society’s standard for a…
TWENTY, TWENTY, TWENTY FOUR HOURS TO GO: QUICK OVERNIGHT GEAR LISTS!
Photo: @spmartin You never know when the urge might be too much to bear–you gotta spend a night outside! Even if it’s just a quick one, the restorative power of an overnight can work wonders. Go solo, bring a few friends, email your boss and tell them you might be a wee bit later than usual in the morning. If you’re lucky…
WHO WE BACKPACK WITH: SCOTT NECHEMIAS
Words and Photos from @snechemias Hello there! My name is Scott, and the time that I spend writing this is a brief interruption from what would have otherwise been an evening staring into the comforting electric glow of a Caltopo screen, pondering the promise of what future hiking plans will manifest from the mysterious…
WHO WE SKI WITH: CODY TOWNSEND
WHO ARE YOU? Cody Townsend WHAT DO YOU DO? I’m a skier. It’s my job and my lifelong passion. WHAT DO YOU DO OUTSIDE AND FOR HOW LONG AND WHERE? My primary motivation for being outside is skiing and I ski from the moment there is enough snow in Tahoe until usually June. I pretty much ski eight months of the year. But when…

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