Backpacks
Hyperlite Junction 55L (31.6oz men's medium)
This has become our go to pack for all our spring, summer, fall and light winter backpacking. Both Bugs and I are on our second pack but we got a little over 3000 miles out of the first ones and a lot of our miles are the hard, off-trail, thorn filled, tear your gear up kind. It's Dyneema body is highly water resistant, the hardline side pockets take a fair amount of abrasion to shred (the Hayduke left my new pack with only one hole to sew) and its minimalist design still manages to carry 6 days of food with relative ease and comfort (~35lbs). Our newer packs have an improved Velcro around the opening of the body that's less prone to snagging the stitching in your puffy or your ever so delicate Alpha Direct hoodie. I know a review of one pack may make us a little biased but if it ain't broke, why fix it? Right?
Hyperlite has new packs out now with a focus on long distance hiking such as the Unbound. This could be a great fit for anyone looking for a Dyneema pack with new long distance focused features, like a stretchy bottom pocket. I'd be interested in trying this pack in the future.
In conclusion, is Dyneema the penultimate pack material? I'm not sure: for shelters I'm a true believer, but as a pack body it can be prone to punctures. Honestly, this shortcoming hasn't been enough of an issue cause me to rethink my pack choice, so full steam ahead!
(seen on the Hayduke somewhere in Utah)
Hyperlite Headwall 55L (39.8oz men's medium)
After noticing that heavy winter loads mixed with sharp and pokey gear like snowshoes, ice axes and crampons where putting a little more wear on my trusted summer workhorse bag (see above review), I added a winter bag to my kit. They have limited stock of this bag remaining but several other winter models with similar features, like woven Dyneema panels in high abrasion areas, protecting your bag from sharp ski edges, ice axe points and the nasty business end of all our fun winter toys. The headwall comes with large back pocket shaped specifically for your avalanche gear and I always carry my snow shovel and tent poles in there even if I don't need a full avy kit. (Always need a shovel to build a good winter snow camp, and to keep your stove out of the snow.) I've really enjoyed this pack the last several winters and knowing I'm not trashing my summer bag all winter long has been nice!
And yes, that's the pack there in the snow, I'm not sure how but I never managed to capture a photo really showcasing this pack, I'll work on that... But you've got to love the side straps, great for skis, snow shoes and sleeping pads!
