Hyperlite Mountain Gear Junction Backpack Review

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[everwake]

3 years has gone by, I watched 20+ reviews, this one is the best, well done.

[samfuller]

Just snagged a Junction for $50 off through HMG direct. Final piece to a more intentional, lighter, minimal backpacking kit. Thanks Ryan for all of your informative, detailed videos and posts...I’ve learned so much. Most informative page on the subject on YouTube.

[therealchickentender]

Essentially one of the very best pack reviews I've ever watched all the way through. Thank you for this.

[nobodyhikes]

This was the ideal configuration I wanted when I bought my Southwest. Good to see it's available now. Thanks for the in-depth overview!

[robertplutz]

Outstanding review! ...and also really benefited with the primer on how you pack your backpack.

[yearofthegarden]

I listen to a lot of gear list videos while I work, and this is by far the highest quality one I could listen to over and over. On the same level as skurkas Google talk.

Good luck in future endevours

[billybastar]

You are quickly become my go to research spot for all things backpacking and outdoors! But bro...no camp chair? I sit my Helinox and watch your vids😂

[gerritlikestohike]

Thank you for the effort you put into creating this detailed review from Germany.

[bernadette]

This was an outstanding thorough review. I have this pack and have hiked 500 miles in the desert and mountains. Your video helped me dial it in more efficiently. I did have pain in my shoulders when I had a 4-5 litter water carry. Liked the idea of the 3 litter in the back. I had my 3 litter tied on top and smart water bottles in the pockets. I think by tightening the pack up more efficiently and rethinking how I pack I may be able to relieve some shoulder pain. I had also thought perhaps I could of gotten a M instead of the S. I am small but liked your idea of sizing up. I may also customize and add load lifters any tie them into the stays.

[archangel]

awesome review. very detailed and you actually show how you pack everything in. A+

[mikeakafrostyhumphreys]

This is the exact pack that I upgraded to, as I said to others on the trail I'm Hyperlight Montain Gear for life, for all the reasons mentioned in this video
I have the pods and other pieces of gear. Planning to do several thru hikes in the near future,

[raymondberry]

I'm adopting your system for my earthquake bag. My needs are a bit different, as I'm in a whelchair, but I bought a fishermans vest for small items and a led baseball cap for my headlight.

[master_macchiato]

Fantastic review - probably the best review I have seen

[jjmcwill]

Surprised where you're carrying your 3L of water. That's about as far away from your center of gravity as you can get, and goes against everything I ever learned about distributing pack weight effectively.

[WillNGo]

Good review. I like seeing the packing. Too often 'features' are part of the advertising and selling but have no real use on the trail, or they're a constant hindrance, like the 'brain' of my Osprey - unless it's zipped you can 100 percent count on it dumping the contents on the ground. Did they simply not make a mock up before they started manufacturing these? (But I have been using it for 15 years... still I'd prefer the Hyperlite)

When you cinched down the left side 8:40 I had the idea that the receiver buckle (lower piece) should have a piece of webbing coming off it it 90 degrees. This could better 'contain' the tent poles (you probably don't need it here, but can you see the idea? Might be good for something else. It would have to attach to the buckle which could be moved up and down because both the top and the bottom would be adjustable (not sure if the bottom is here). ) Another idea is a loop around the tent poles that the side strap passes through...but some means of fixing it's height along the poles. Again maybe not needed here, but for a similar purpose. Personally I think there are still so many possibilities still undiscovered, uninvented.

I do like the mesh at the back, airing (and sunning) things out is an important function while hiking. And it just seems so obvious to me that a pack should not be constrained to a specific limit. I hike with a synthetic sleeping bag, it's just easier to let it puff out. In most situations it doesn't make any difference if the pack is a foot higher full of fluff. It's curious how long it took to get around to the state of the art backpacks having rolltops.

[razor]

My measurement is a touch over 18”, based on your review that I just read I am thinking the Large Pack.

[jasonp]

Great review, and super helpful packing tips.

[DrBar]

I'm a bit surprised at the water carry on the outside. I've got the Souhtwest 3400 and the 4400 and mostly like it except for the load capacity, which is as you said about 30-35 pounds for me - for both of these packs. The Southwest 4400 is rated for 60 pounds, which is a large marketing stretch imho. I don't care for the mesh rear as I hang my wet gear on the available aftermarket compression straps. My last gripe is that there seems to be no way to attach my foam pad to the bottom, as I like to do with my other packs. But it's a great design over all, and it's nice to be able to gripe about such trivial things as we live in a time of unparalleled choices. We sure are spoiled. :)

[NostalgicLink]

I wish they'd make the Northrim in *BLACK* and/or offer *BLACK* shoulder straps and pockets. I can't stand the white diamond weaves in the hardline locations.

[GetUpTheMountains]

There is an article on sectionhiker from a few years ago featuring a tour of this company’s factory in Maine, where the owner talks about how other cottage gear makers send their manufacturing to Mexico and how that results in the inevitable loss of quality in the product. Well, Hyperlite now manufactures in Mexico.