2022 GEAR PATROL GP100 AWARDS “BEST IN OUTDOORS”
Unbound 40
SKU: 3-10840-3
40L PACK, IDEAL FOR
- Long Distance Backpacking & Thru Hiking
- Any Environment
DAY IN, DAY OUT. THIS IS THE PACK FOR THE LONGEST TRAILS
There is simply no better way to measure the effectiveness of a pack design than to send it out on thru hikes. Over the course of 2,000+ miles and an average of five to six months, day in, day out, loaded and unloaded, jostled and dragged, and exposed to the elements, one of these long walks is going to tell you the truth. So, that’s what we went after, and the Unbound 40 is the honest to goodness result. Every carefully considered feature fought for its right to remain, leaving only the essentials required for an efficient, comfortable, adaptable, and dependable travel companion. Thru hiking is hard enough. Let the Unbound 40 carry some of the weight.
WHY CHOOSE THE UNBOUND 40?
WHY CHOOSE THE UNBOUND 40?
ACCESSIBILITY ON THE MOVE
Large dual-entry front external pocket for quick grabs without needing to dig through everything inside. Generously sized side pockets and a stretch bottom pocket add even more storage options
MAKE IT YOUR OWN
Low-profile daisy chains allow countless ways to carry external items for different kinds of trips. Remove or add top-side compression straps depending on needs, or shock cord for oddly shaped gear
COMPLETE SEAM TAPING
With the exterior binding, seam bulking is eliminated within the pack, allowing for more efficient taping and improved water resistance
FEATURES
SPECS & DIMENSIONS
- MaterialsWhite: DCH50, DCH150, Hardline with Dyneema | Black: DCH150, Hardline with Dyneema
- Internal Volume40L
- External Volume9L
- WeightWhite: 1.9 lbs | 30.1 oz | 853 g | Black: 2.0 lbs | 32.2 oz | 914 g *Average weight based on size medium
- Load CapacityUp to 40 lbs
- Back Width10.0" | 25.4cm
- Height32.5" | 82.6cm
- Top Circumference35.0" | 88.9cm
- Bottom Circumference35.0" | 88.9cm
- Made InMexico
WHY CHOOSE THE UNBOUND 40?
ACCESSIBILITY ON THE MOVE
Large dual-entry front external pocket for quick grabs without needing to dig through everything inside. Generously sized side pockets and a stretch bottom pocket add even more storage options
MAKE IT YOUR OWN
Low-profile daisy chains allow countless ways to carry external items for different kinds of trips. Remove or add top-side compression straps depending on needs, or shock cord for oddly shaped gear
COMPLETE SEAM TAPING
With the exterior binding, seam bulking is eliminated within the pack, allowing for more efficient taping and improved water resistance
Product Reviews and Questions
Like but not LOVE
I really wanted to LOVE this bag, but unfortunately I don't (I do like it tho). First, I'll start with the cons:
1. The quality is not where I'd hope for a $370 bag, particularly in the orange webbing. On my first overnight trip with this bag, the orange webbing on the hip belt broke halfway thru headed to my first camp. I think it has to do with the silkiness of the material, just seems like it wants to fray apart, fixing that particular spot wasn't possible because the orange webbing completely unraveled. This orange webbing is all up and down the front of the bag so that has me a little bummed.... the black material, which seems a little grippier, seems fine? HMG should just rethink this orange stuff.
2. The front pockets: I really really thought I was going to love the elastic panel pocket, it's actually one of the reasons I wanted this bag. And for like... some portion I suppose I do: I really like the shorter portion on the bottom of the front since it is fantastic for shoving small items like energy bars, chapstick, etc. in, and I really like the stuff pocket for trash on the bottom. However, the larger front pocket has done nothing but annoy me. The pocket works great if your bag is full, then you can pretty easily shove a jacket or sandals or whatever in there, but the second you open the bag up to take ANYTHING out, the elastic wants to suck everything in. It's also not much better if you're using this as a little daypack either because if there's not much in…
functional pockets!
I have thoroughly enjoyed the pockets on this pack. The larger side pockets actually hold my stove and water bottles. The stretchy mesh pockets on the front make it a great place to stash things like my tent or layers. The only thing that is disappointing about this pack is how narrow the body is. I can only put my sleeping bag in the bottom and can't fit the ground pad too. Then trying to get a bear canister in the pack on top makes it sit too high to be comfortable and there is not enough room to get anything in next to it. There is no way that I will ever be one of the kooks who carries their heavy bear canister on the outside of their pack on top. That is a shoulder killer and a food melter. Unfortunately, it is going to be a day pack until I travel to a place that doesn't require bear canisters. I even have the small one from Wild Ideas. Such a bummer
Exceptional backpacking companion
I’ve only used this bag once but so far it’s my favorite piece of gear I’ve ever owned. It’s incredibly light in weight but can hold a ton of gear. At the same time it can be used for shorter trips or even just a day hike. I love that you can take off the hip belt for such occasions and even most of the straps. The zippers on the hip belt are surprisingly easy to use one handed. The huge “water bottle” pockets are great and easy to grab my bottle and put it back. The outside stretch dynema pocket is well designed, I love that you can reach into the bottom. The pocket on the bottom of the bag is super cool, (I put my gloves in there) and I used the little “trash hole” way more than I thought I would, I like that a lot. This bag is comfortable, durable, seems water tight, and I can’t wait to use it on ALL of my adventures in the future.
UNBOUND55 can be carried comfortably
I only use extreme UL backpacks that I carry only on my shoulders when the load is less than 5kg.
In the first place, if I need to carry luggage that weighs more than 15 kg, I use a traditional type backpack that can firmly support the waist load.
Even so, when I carry around 10kg of luggage, I want to reduce the weight as much as possible, so I use a UL backpack, which weighs less than 1kg and has a built-in frame that can support the waist load. Therefore, I am currently using WINDRIDER2400.
I recently purchased the UNBOUND55, which has a slightly larger capacity to carry bulky items. I was a little worried because it only has one built-in aluminum frame to save weight, but when I tried it with over 10 kg of luggage in it, I found that my shoulders hurt even if I carried it all day. I was able to confirm that I could carry it without any problems.
Naturally, I took the frame out and adjusted it to fit my back, bending it to fit snugly, just as many traditional backpacks do in the past.
I use size M, but the middle value of the back length of the pack is the size of your own back length, so when you place the hipbelt along the hipbone, the height of the shoulder belt and the shoulder are the same. They are almost the same, so when you tighten the shoulder strap, the back of UNBOUND55 can be carried tightly from the shoulder to the waist without any gaps.
It has the functions of a standard UL backpack, so I have high hopes that it will be useful in the future.
Great pack
Perfect size,big side pockets i can put my tent in one side pocket. Love the hip belt!!! Custom fit