Prism Pack
$425.00
Move fast to and up your climb with the balanced weight, security, and comfort that the Prism brings to your Winter pursuits. Ideal for weekend or section hikes where frequent resupply points are available.
Charge headlong into the spectrum of winter’s white light with the pack built for alpine adventure. The Prism beckons ice climbers, mountaineers, alpinists, and backcountry skiers to think big and go deep. Designed to meet at the intersection of speed, weight, security, and comfort, this top-loading pack features an extendable drawstring closure and an adjustable, removable low-profile lid. The hip belt provides two gear racks and two ice clipper slots, but is removable when not required for the task at hand, or when wearing a climbing harness. Climbers can store a rope under the lid, glacier adventurers can store their wands in the side pockets, and backcountry skiers can depend on the A-frame carry when they’re on foot marching up the steep stuff.

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DURATION
1-4 Days
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TERRAIN
Ice & Snow
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ACTIVITY
Alpine Climbing
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SWEET SPOT
Alaska
WHY CHOOSE THE PRISM PACK?
REMOVABLE FLOATING LID
Sized to accomodate items you need quick access to throughout the day.
DRAWSTRING CLOSURE & WATERPROOF MATERIALS
Easy to open and close with gloves on for loading or unloading gear. Pair with our Stuff Sacks for a buttoned up, nearly waterproof kit.
HIGHLY ADJUSTABLE
Compression straps secure crucial equipment while keeping the pack close to the body for free and unrestricted movement.
FEATURES
IDEAL USES
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DURATION
1-4 Days
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TERRAIN
Ice & Snow
-
ACTIVITY
Alpine Climbing
-
SWEET SPOT
Alaska
SPECS & DIMENSIONS
- MaterialsDCH150 + DCHW
- Internal Volume40L
- Weight1.82 lbs | 29.1 oz. | 825g
- Load CapacityUp to 50lbs
- Back Width11" | 27.9cm
- Height (Fully Unrolled)35" | 88.9cm
- Top Circumference38" | 96.5cm
- Bottom Circumference28" | 71.1cm
- Made InMexico
WHY CHOOSE THE PRISM PACK?
REMOVABLE FLOATING LID
Sized to accomodate items you need quick access to throughout the day.
DRAWSTRING CLOSURE & WATERPROOF MATERIALS
Easy to open and close with gloves on for loading or unloading gear. Pair with our Stuff Sacks for a buttoned up, nearly waterproof kit.
HIGHLY ADJUSTABLE
Compression straps secure crucial equipment while keeping the pack close to the body for free and unrestricted movement.
FEATURES
Ambassador, Backcountry Adventures
/August 28, 2019
Backcountry Adventures, Ice Climbing
/September 24, 2019
Perfect climbing/skiing/mountain rescue pack
This is my first Hyperlite product and the the Prism Pack has exceeded my expectations! So far I've only used it for some alpine and snow/ice climbing, backcountry skiing including ski-carry in an A-frame and some mountain rescue training. Despite the low weight, it carries well. Loaded it up to ~45lbs with snow/ice gear, ropes, rescue equipment and part of a litter and it performed phenomenally!
The taper of the body of pack helps with movements while climbing. Only downside is the lack of a dedicated avy gear pocket but I knew that going into it - shovel and probe are now on the inside of the pack and with careful packing easily accessible.
Can't wait to use it for some multiday climbing trips into the Enchantments this year!
Great Pack
Just the right amount of features, great quality
A good pack, but not amazing
Things I Like:
Weight: This pack is light. Its very light.
Durability: I shamelessly haul this pack over rocks, stumps, throw it down on sharp ice, and sit on it. It has held up beautifully. The build quality on this pack is outstanding. I cant overstate this.
Water Resistance: I really like having a pack that sheds water and keeps my equipment dry.
Internal visibility: The white interior really helps you find what you're looking for inside the pack.
Crampon Bag/Ice Features: The crampon bag is amazing. It can actually fit both my Petzl ski boot crampons AND my ski crampons. It lets you transition quickly without opening up your pack. The crampon bag also fits a nalgene perfectly. I also love all the ice axe attachment points.
Things I don't like:
No hydration tube slot: You have to run your hydration tube up out of the drawstring closure.
Load Adjustment: I dont like how every time you open the pack/remove the brain, you lose your load adjustment. I found that my pack becomes uneven and can cause some upper back pain unless you're really focused on keeping it adjusted properly.
Limited weight capability: I understand that this is a pack meant for quick alpine missions. If you're looking for a pack for a 3+ day backcountry ski trip, this might not be the one. I found that the low profile hip belt and minimal load adjustment straps made it uncomfortable to carry more than 30lbs over long distances. Its perfect for a tour or a ski mountaineering trip, but when the…
Decent, not great
Fits well, carries well, and is very light. There are a few things I find a little disappointing: If you're going to make a lid, it should be functional. This lid is so small it's tough to make it useful. Not much room in the lid and it doesn't fit on the pack or secure other gear well. The velcro attachment is awkward and the material bunches. The metal clips attaching it to the front and back gear loops are awkward and don't seem to cinch down reliably (maybe a plastic push-clip would work better, as is standard for most packs?). Ice climbing tools are sloppy in their cradles and at one point one of them fell out. And finally, after first use two of the spring loaded cord cinchers broke. I thought HMG was made in Maine, but now I see they're made in Mexico... is there a quality control issue now? I have loved my HMG stuff previously but this particular piece of gear has fallen short.
Incredible Pack
I rarely review things, but am so impressed with this pack, I feel I should share. It's light - I mean really light. Have used primarily for ice climbing, and obviously the gear weighs a decent amount that many of us are used to carrying. Using this pack is a CONSIDERABLE difference in terms of overall weight.
It also fits very well if you size it right for your body. That's likely part of the difference. I like the detachable lid, and the ability to extend the main compartment. Also relative to fit - the design is clever enough that your helmet won't hit the pack while you're looking above as you're climbing. Anyone who climbs will know what I'm talking about.
I didn't know if I would like the G hooks on the lid or not, but I quickly love them. They are easy to use with gloves on, and obviously cold hands are brutal for ice climbing.
External crampon pouch is a huge bonus, and super convenient. The way the ice tools attach is super solid, love it.
I have an Osprey Mutant which is specifically designed for ice climbing. I immediately fell in love with the Prism and will probably sell the Mutant. As someone who climbs a lot, the extra price on this is worth it for what you're getting. This pack seems like a go to for other endeavors as well, i.e. hiking, rock, etc.