HMG Windrider Ultralight Pack

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$255.00

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HMG Windrider Ultralight Pack

Perfect for mountaineering, backpacking and long distance hiking, HMG’s Windrider has never looked better! Our latest model is constructed with the same rugged, ultralight, and innovative Cuben Fiber technology but now features a wrap-around hip belt for more comfort and support.

Selected as “Best Ultralight Pack” by Backpacker Magazine, the Windrider is Hyperlite Mountain gear’s best-selling ultralight hiking backpack. The Windrider’s frameless body features dual removable aluminum stays, Cuben Fiber/Polyester pack material, weather proof storm closure.

Our signature pack also includes cushioned shoulder straps, three exterior mesh pockets, a Y-strap compression system, larger rainproof hip belt pockets, an internal hydration sleeve and hose port, and a 2400 cu/in capacity

1.6 lbs (25.5 oz.)

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Review by NAOKI: Very comfortable.I am loving it. (Posted on 5/9/12)
Review by Paul: By far the most comfortable pack I have ever worn. Carried about 30 lbs with food & water, no back pain, unrestricted hips, LOVE my new pack! (Posted on 9/29/11)
Review by Shelley (Dreamer): Ultralight backpacking, who knew??? HMG sure does! With my 2011 Windrider I seriously feel liberated. I have been suffering with knee and back pain and dreaded putting on my heavy pack. Now I am back on the trails again and best of all ENJOYING backpacking. I'm comfortable and like the easy simplicity of the pack. It is durable and rain resistant.

I am able to pack what I need for a multi-day trip and keep my total pack weigh to about 20lbs or less. I was a little skeptical about the waist belt and shoulder straps being less padded than my traditional backpack. What I found out was with the lower weight of my pack and thinking about my gear, I don't need that extra padding and with it the extra weight.

Everyone should lighten up their gear and backpacks, it makes backpacking that much more fun. Keep on making these great products, I'm hooked on ultralight backpacking and HMG.
(Posted on 9/16/11)
Review by Christi: This Windrider pack is great. Halfway through my AT thru hike I sent my Gregory pack home and started using this. I was a bit nervous about the simplicity of this pack, but immediately realized my old Gregory just had useless bells and whistles. Because the Windrider isn't overly padded, it doesn't sop up sweat and hold odor. I love the mesh pockets- ideal to grab a snack while still hiking or drying wet clothes. Sometimes I put the water bladder from my Camelback in the outer mesh for easy refill. The pack is very comfortable; I had it up to 35lbs and it still rode very well. It kept my gear dry through some gnarly storms too.

HMG has great customer service too. I loved the first pack they sent, but Mike thought it was too small so he insisted on sending another. Thanks HMG! (Posted on 9/15/11)
Review by Ron: I completed the AT this year and my Windrider pack made it almost the whole way. I started with a larger capacity Arcteryx bag but switched up to the Windrider pack at Neals Gap; which means it lasted me over 2,000 miles. I almost want to hike the first 40 miles with it just so it can also be a thru-hiker.

I was a little skeptical at first that it would hold all my stuff, but I was very pleased to find it had more then enough capacity. Even when I had 4-5 days of food. I can't recommend this pack enough. The weight differential compared to most other bags is significant and it is strong enough to take daily wear and tear. This is not your typical wear and tear; I'm talking about walking in the rain for days on end. Throwing it to the ground with no concern. Tossing it over rocks. You name it. When you're on the trail, it's nice to not worry about your gear. With the Windrider, I had no worries at all.

If you're thinking of a thru hike pack or just a weekender. This is the one to get. (Posted on 9/13/11)
Review by Steve: The Idaho Traverse required a pack that would serve us through three completely different disciplines. We needed a streamlined, dry bag like pack for pack rafting, a narrow profile pack for mountain biking, and a pack that could carry it all while hiking. I chose to buy the Windrider because it offered the simplest, most reliable solution to match our criteria. I wasn't disappointed.

When seam sealed and the roll-top cinched tight, the cuben fiber material is virtually a dry bag. We strapped our packs to the bow of our boats, exposing them to the rough volcanic rock in the Bruneau River. In the end, we decided to bag the packs in a dry bag for extra hydro protection. The dry bags ripped early on, but the packs stayed in tacked and kept our down gear dry.

When we switched to the bikes, the packs were used in addition to our bike bags. The concept was to strap the heavy gear to the bike and carry bulky, light gear in the pack: PFDs, down bags, jackets and ti cook ware, etc. We found that the side mesh pockets perfectly secured our paddles and the back pocket stowed our trail shoes. I carried a few bars and gels in the side hip belt pockets. We both found the packs provided more than adequate helmet clearance while cycling.

Lastly, the packs were to be used as traditional packs, carrying our rolled up boats and supplies for 6+ days on the trail. Due to an injury, we pulled out prior to putting any significant time on the trail. But from others accounts, this is obviously where the pack shines.

I've always thought white cuben fiber is a sharp look, and its simplicity gets high merits too. It’s a stiff fabric and you'll hear it crinkle. I'm assuming this will soften over time. I might suggest the crew consider adding removable straps to lighten the pack up even more when you don't need straps. It would also give one an opportunity to customize the look a bit with different color straps.

I might also suggest that the back cinch strap drop below or through the back pocket to secure items stowed in the main mesh pocket. On training runs, I thought I might lose a jacket or helmet. I never did, though.

The hydration port is a simple overlapped sleeve - a little duck tape kept the water out, but another solution might be to incorporate an MSR-type bladder twist cap. Regardless - it worked.

Chris and I also discussed the merits of a removable pad. That said, I used the pack as a pad under my legs every night and even used it as a bivi foot bag during one night in the low 30's. Would I ever take that pad out? Probably not.

If you are looking for a cuben fiber pack, you can't go wrong with the price - its $150 less than any competitors CF pack.
(Posted on 9/12/11)
Review by Matthew: I have over 1k miles this summer on my custom Windrider. This pack did everything I needed it to on my Colorado Trail/CO CDT yo-yo hike. The angular cut and ample size of the side pockets are quite literally perfect for storing "on the go" items and can be accessed without removing the pack.

The packs overall size worked perfectly for my kit, 7 lbs plus 6 days of food fit without effort. Twenty-five pounds without hipbelt, sternum strap, or stays carried well and the shoulder straps never showed any sign of strain.

I also felt comfortable with the packs taped seams to not use a pack liner. My only insulation, my quilt, never got wet inside the pack.

Like Porter, I had 4 other packs and have since sold the others after getting my Windrider. (Posted on 9/12/11)
Review by Michael "Pace": I invested in a 2012 modified Windrider Ultralight Pack during my Appalachian Trail (AT) thru hike because the backpack I was using literally fell apart. The backpack I started the AT was light but it was neither comfortable nor durable. It is refreshing to find a gear company that not only embraces lightweight but durability as well as comfort. I have owned just about every other company brand of backpacks and found HMG packs to be superior. My trail name is “Pace” because I set the pace on the trail but also because I have a pacemaker. Before I made my purchase I spoke with HMG about modifying the shoulder straps so it would not impact my pacemaker. I was amazed that they took the time and designed wider and thicker shoulder straps to accommodate my medical situation. This is the first backpack I have owned that I did not have to modify myself. HMG’s customer service is tip top. It is nice to finally own a backpack that does not require a pack cover when it rains. This pack has proven to keep my gear dry time and time again. I found the backpack design not to be wide which allowed me to maneuver it through tight locations and makes bushwhacking easier. So many hikers have wide backpacks that often slowed their progress because they would get caught on rocks, branches, etc. This backpack has two lightweight aluminum stays that can be removed but I discovered they make the pack ride more comfortably. The stays also made packing the backpack so much easier compared to other utralight packs on the market. The three part outer mesh pockets have plenty of room for items that need easy access. As a New York state licensed guide I would whole heartily without reservation recommend this backpack to any of my clientele. So if you are considering purchasing a new backpack for a short outing or a long distance thru hike this is the backpack for you. (Posted on 9/7/11)
Review by Porter: Thanks HMG for the Windrider pack. I walked over a 1000 miles in the Windrider and it out performed every other pack on the trail. Light weight, durable, water resistant and a perfect size for the A/T.

I have owned 6 other packs and by far the Windrider is my favorite (Posted on 8/31/11)

Hyperlite Mountain Gear

HMG Windrider Ultralight Pack