Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28 Fastpack Assessment – iRunFar

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28 ($350) is the latest pack from a model that has developed a cult-like following within the thru-hiking and packrafting communities. That is their first time utilizing a running-vest-style harness system as a substitute of conventional backpack straps. I’ve been ready for the Maine-based firm to leap on the operating vest bandwagon for years, and so they bought quite a bit proper of their first launch.

This 28-liter pack, with a further 8.5 liters of exterior storage, is good for fastpacking journeys, starting from easy overnighters to outings lasting almost per week in case you pack rigorously. The light-weight and sturdy Dyneema Composite Hybrid is identical used within the model’s different packs and brings this pack’s weight to 18.9 ounces (536 grams) for a measurement medium. There are a handful of detachable straps for the true gram-counters amongst us.

I examined the Aero 28 for greater than a yr whereas fastpacking in terrain starting from the San Juan Mountains in Colorado, to the excessive deserts of Utah, to the dense bush of New Zealand. Along with numerous one- and two-night missions, I packed it filled with meals and kit for a five-night traverse of the largely off-trail Wind River Excessive Route in Wyoming. I additionally took it out for day missions that required an abundance of snacks and heat clothes. The consolation and ease of this pack made it stand out from many different choices. Whereas I believe the entrance pocket system can use a little bit of refinement, it’s a lot useful to maintain water, meals, and a cellphone accessible. I, in addition to one other tester, loved this pack a lot that we’ve included it in our greatest fastpacking packs information.

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Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28 Harness and Runnability

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28 harness is the model’s first try to include a running-vest-style harness into certainly one of their trademark packs. The twin-layer straps are pretty skinny and versatile, and so they join to one another on the high of the pack. It seems like this evens out the strain on the shoulders. The tightness of the straps is adjustable with a single strap on the backside. Whereas many fastpacking packs appear to have doubled-over adjustment straps which are tough to make use of, particularly if the pack is on, these aren’t any extra advanced than the backpacks we wore to high school as youngsters. And I respect that!

Three sternum straps shut the harness within the entrance, two static and one elastic. The place of all three straps could be modified to regulate the match of the pack, as can their order. Whereas I initially greeted the three-strap system with skepticism — I’m, in any case, a gram-counter, and all straps have weight — I found that it supplied a pleasant, comfortable match, and I ended worrying in regards to the extra weight. I discovered that conserving the elastic strap on the underside was probably the most comfy for deep respiratory. The entire harness match snugly, and whereas it had extra motion than a smaller operating vest, it carried out admirably when operating the flats and downhills, in addition to when scrambling on uncovered and rocky terrain the place stability was paramount.

It was solely when the primary and all of the exterior pockets have been fully full that it felt just like the pack moved an excessive amount of to run comfortably. The entrance pockets, even when stuffed fully full, by no means felt like they bounced.

The pack has a detachable one-inch webbing waist belt that may add stability when carrying a heavy load. Nonetheless, I by no means used it and located it simply bought in the way in which, so I took it off. The pack can also be geared up with a pair of loops to safe an ice ax. The underside of those two loops is everlasting and tucks neatly into the again pocket, whereas the higher strap is detachable.

The pack is available in three sizes primarily based in your torso measurement. I’m 5 ft, six inches tall, and examined a measurement medium.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28 Storage Choices

In my view, the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28 is the proper quantity for almost any fastpacking mission. The primary pocket has a roll high with clips that connect both to one another or to compression straps on the aspect of the pack. For the longest of journeys, I stuffed the primary pocket full and simply barely bought the highest buckles collectively to carry all of it in. I then used the highest compression strap to make it possible for nothing fell out.

The primary pocket additionally has a clip on the highest to connect a hydration bladder and a hose port, however there’s no extra materials to carry the bladder in place, so I discovered it of restricted use. On the uncommon event that I used a bladder with this pack, I caught it within the again pocket and ran the hose over my shoulder.

4 exterior pockets on the again of the pack present extra storage. The primary again pocket feels a bit comfortable at first inspection however can broaden impressively for a fabric that feels prefer it doesn’t have lots of give. I might match an ultralight Zpacks Duplex Lite Tent in it, even when the remainder of the pack was fully full. The 2 aspect pockets have a diagonal lower to permit these with respectable shoulder mobility to get objects out and in. Two detachable compression straps assist safe something within the pockets, and I usually saved my trekking poles right here after I didn’t want them. A bungee system tightens the highest of the pocket for extra safety.

Like many different fastpacks, together with the Pa’lante Packs Joey, this one has a pocket alongside the underside. The elastic securing this pocket doesn’t really feel as stretchy as that on different packs, and I used to be solely prepared to retailer objects that had lots of quantity and floor space — like a jacket or different clothes merchandise — in there. I used to be too nervous about shedding snacks to belief them on this pocket, however it’s a fantastic easy-access spot for a jacket that you just may must placed on and take off a number of occasions in a day.

The entrance pockets mimic that of a conventional operating vest. Two higher pockets maintain most comfortable flasks and may match a Katadyn BeFree 0.6L filter, so long as it’s not fully full. Shock cords on the tops of the pockets present extra safety, and the pockets are large enough to carry a reasonably large cellphone as effectively. Three extra pockets overlay the highest ones. On one aspect, a zipper pocket securely holds small objects like sunscreen, ChapStick, and keys, and overlays a deeper pocket that can maintain snacks or a Garmin inReach Mini.

The opposite aspect has a a lot deeper pocket that may match a number of gels or bars. When the underside pockets are full, it may be tough to get comfortable flasks to take a seat correctly, however all the things has simply sufficient stretch to make it work. I’d like to see barely extra stretchy pockets to ease this issue.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28 Supplies

Like all packs from the model, the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28 combines Dyneema Composite Hybrid (DCH) and common Dyneema Composite Material (DCF). The primary compartment and backside pocket are manufactured from DCH50 and DCH150 material, respectively. DCH differs from common Dyneema material in that the Dyneema non-woven material is sandwiched between mylar layers. The 50 and 150 confer with the denier of the outer layer of the mylar and is an efficient indicator of a cloth’s sturdiness — and relative weight. DCH tends to be extra sturdy than DCF and has a bit extra construction to it. It’s additionally a bit heavier. Each sorts of material are waterproof and gained’t sag when moist.

Whereas the DCH materials of the primary compartment is waterproof, the pack isn’t seam-sealed, which signifies that water can seep in throughout actually moist situations — and it does. Contents will keep dry in gentle precipitation, however I’d nonetheless advocate packing your gear in dry baggage for additional safety.

The primary compartment has a everlasting one-eighth-inch foam again panel sewn in to supply a little bit of construction and help. The seams round this foam are sealed, so that you don’t have to fret in regards to the foam absorbing water in case you get caught out within the rain. Whereas I in the end like having a again panel, particularly when carrying heavier masses, I want it was detachable. In lots of conditions, a sleeping pad or another piece of equipment might substitute for the everlasting panel and cut back the general weight of the pack.

The again pocket is manufactured from a stretchy Dyneema-based mesh, which is kind of sturdy, although I did handle to tear it whereas scootching alongside a ledge and scraping it towards some sharp rocks. The tear didn’t unfold, and was simple to place a bit of tape over till a extra everlasting resolution could possibly be discovered. The aspect pockets really feel stable, and I haven’t managed to destroy them, attempt as I’d.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28 General Impressions

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28 is certainly one of my favourite fastpacks presently in the marketplace. Admittedly, it’s additionally one of many costlier fastpacks on the market, however I imagine that it’s well worth the funding as a pack that may work for a lot of sorts of journeys and appears to be primarily indestructible, which implies you should utilize it for a lot of, a few years.

The primary compartment offers loads of safe storage for a light-weight fastpacking equipment and a number of other days of meals, and the outer pockets present extra house for objects wanted all through the day. Other than a probably irrational concern of shedding snacks out of the underside pocket, I by no means nervous about objects falling out of the pockets.

General, I used to be impressed with the pack’s vest-style harness. It stayed safe when operating and carried heavier masses higher than many different choices in the marketplace. Whereas I wanted the entrance pockets had a bit extra space, I used to be in the end in a position to shove a number of hours price of snacks and water into them, and the aspect pockets supplied extra storage accessible with out taking the pack off. With regards to a pack that’s equally nearly as good for in a single day journeys in heat climates as it’s carrying a number of days of meals and heat clothes for prolonged journeys, this one is difficult to beat.

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