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Popular Thru-Hiking Backpack Gets Major Updates
Most hikers are no strangers to Hyperlite Mountain Gear (HMG). The brand’s distinct, bright white (or dirty grey, depending on how long you’ve been on trail) backpacks can be found on almost every long trail in the world — and for good reason! These shockingly lightweight (yet durable) packs are specifically designed with hardcore adventurers in mind.
Many ultralight thru-hikers who still favor internal-frame packs have long relied on the fleet of Hyperlite Packs (the Junction, Windrider, and Southwest). They may be happily surprised to learn that these packs have gotten a fairly major overhaul in 2025.
The 2025 packs feature an updated Dyneema Woven Composite fabric that Hyperlite touts as being more durable, while the shoulder straps have been widened to increase comfort.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Junction At-a-Glance
Price: $379 (40L) | $399 (55L)
Volume: 40L (11.5L External) | 55L (13.4L External)
Weight: 28.8 oz (40L) | 29.2 oz (55L)
Material: Dyneema Woven Composite 3.9 (More on this later!)
Sizes: 15″-21″+ Torso Length
Recommended Load: Up to 40lbs
HMG Junction vs. Windrider vs. Southwest
The primary difference between the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Junction, Windrider, and Southwest backpacks is the material used for their three large external pockets. This design choice directly impacts the pack’s weight, durability, and ideal use case. The core body of all three packs is made from the same waterproof Dyneema Composite Fabrics (DCF).
The Hyperlite Windrider is designed for speed and wet environments. All three of its external pockets — both sides and the center — are made from a durable, woven mesh. This design allows for maximum airflow, meaning any wet gear stored in the pockets (like a rain fly or a wet shelter) can dry out as you hike. This comes at the cost of some abrasion resistance, as the mesh is more prone to snagging.
The Hyperlite Southwest is the most durable pack in Hyperlite’s lineup. All three of its external pockets are made from the same solid, waterproof Dyneema fabric as the pack’s body. This makes the pack highly resistant to snags and tears from sharp rocks, cacti, and dense brush. The trade-off is slightly less breathability and a minor weight increase compared to the Windrider.
The Hyperlite Junction is a hybrid, designed for the most versatile range of conditions. It features solid Dyneema fabric on its two side pockets for added durability and a mesh center pocket for quick-drying and easy-to-access items. This combination makes it a great all-around pack for hikers who encounter both rugged trails and wet environments.
The back mesh allows gear to dry quickly, while the solid water bottle pockets reduce the risk of snagging.
Circumstances of Review
I had been curious about Hyperlite Packs for quite some time, and finally got the chance to test the HMG Junction 55 on a weekend backpacking trip in Colorado. Thanks to the fishing pole, cast iron pan, and various creature comforts I’m often tempted into bringing on short trips, I pushed right up against the pack’s recommended load limit of 40 pounds.
From the first few steps out of the car, I was pleasantly surprised by how the pack carried; thanks to the large internal volume, I’d not put much thought into how I packed the bag, and had done a terrible job with weight distribution. The padded back and integrated frame kept any of my weird, pokey gear from jabbing my back and the pack didn’t pull me back too much, despite me having several cans of coconut milk haphazardly shoved in the mesh back pocket.
Did you think I was making the coconut milk thing up? No. I take my backcountry cooking very seriously.
All of this strange gear, by the way, was for when we caught fish for dinner at camp, which we were not able to do.
HMG Junction 55 Features
Weatherproof: One main draw of a Hyperlite Mountain Gear pack is its waterproof construction. Yes, if you’re caught in a 10-hour downpour you’ll probably wish you had a pack liner, but HMG packs come as close to truly waterproof as any pack I’ve seen on the market.
The main body and bottom of the pack are constructed from DCF, a material that is 15 times stronger than steel by weight. This makes the pack highly resistant to abrasion and punctures while being virtually waterproof, protecting your gear from the elements. Hyperlite tapes all vertical seams, as well as behind any sewn-on features.
Comfortable & Minimalist Suspension: The pack’s suspension system includes a padded hip belt and shoulder straps with an integrated 1/4″ foam back panel. Two removable aluminum stays provide support and help distribute the load so that the pack can comfortably carry up to 40 pounds. It’s a perfect middle ground between ultralight and supportive, and the back panel stops any sharp edges on your gear from poking you.
Bear Can Compatible: A roll-top closure with a Y-strap compression system keeps anything you want to strap to the top stable and secure. The Y-strap setup specifically stops larger and smoother things (read: bear can) from sliding around if you want to attach it to the top. The roll-top also helps keep the main compartment waterproof while allowing for a large range of volume, so you can carry more gear when you need it and pack it down when you don’t.
You can adjust the tightness of multiple sections of the Y-strap, so you truly can attach almost anything to the top pretty securely.
Thoughtful Additional Details: The Junction 55 includes several small features that add to its convenience, such as zippered pockets on the hip belt for easy access to snacks and other essentials, a sleeve for a hydration bladder, and an adjustable sternum strap with an integrated emergency whistle.
Comfort and Wearability
The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Junction 55 offers a surprisingly comfortable carry for a minimalist, frameless pack. The pack’s suspension is designed to be supportive yet simple, utilizing a removable foam back panel and two aluminum stays that provide structure and help distribute the load effectively.
If you have your base weight dialed in to under 25-30 pounds, the pack rides close to the body, eliminating sway and helping you feel agile and moveable on the trail. The wide, padded shoulder straps and hip belt are well-shaped to carry the load without digging in, making it a great option for long days with big miles.
The padded back panel provides both support and cushion to my lower back, and I felt wonderful after a weekend of hiking around.
Even with my 40-pound luxury camping and fishing setup, my shoulders and hips were not the things hurting at the end of the weekend.
Packable Space
The pack’s 55-liter capacity (41.6L internal, 13.4L external) is perfect for multi-day trips and can be easily adjusted thanks to its effective roll-top closure and Y-strap compression system. This design allows you to expand the pack to accommodate extra food and gear at the beginning of a resupply and then cinch it down as you go. The large external back pocket surprised me with how much I was able to fit inside it without the pocket having much stretch.
Durability
Here is where the Junction 55 really shines. The main body of the pack is highly resistant to tears and punctures, standing up to the abuse of rugged, off-trail environments. The solid Dyneema side pockets provide even more abrasion resistance for gear you want to keep secure from branches and rocks. While the mesh back pocket is less durable than the Dyneema, it is made of a tough woven mesh that can handle a lot of use.
The side pockets are very stretchy and can fit everything from Talenti jars and water bottles to fishing poles and pots.
And, that said, the mesh pocket is made from a material stronger and more abrasion-resistant than other pack meshes I’ve seen. While this comes with the trade-off of not a ton of stretch, I would trust this material to hold up in a bushwhack.
How Does HMG’s New Fabric Change Their Packs?
The new Dyneema Woven Composite 3.9 oz fabric that Hyperlite Mountain Gear is now using represents a significant evolution from their previous fabrics. The core difference is that the new material is a dual-layer composite that incorporates Dyneema fibers in both the internal and external layers of the fabric.
The fabric feels akin to Tyvek in terms of how much I trust it in the rain. I really trust Tyvek in the rain.
Hyperlite’s previous fabric, Dyneema Composite Hybrid, used a non-woven Dyneema core with an external woven face fabric made of a different material. This provided durability but didn’t fully leverage the strength of Dyneema on the surface. The new DWC 3.9 takes the same Dyneema core and bonds it to a 100% woven Dyneema face fabric. By “doubling down” on the Dyneema fibers in a woven structure, the new material gets a dramatic increase in performance.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Junction Pros
Incredibly Comfortable Carry: This pack carries incredibly well. The vertical construction and lack of width on the pack helped me load it up haphazardly with a lot of weight without feeling like the pack was pulling me backwards as I walked, and the integrated stays and padded back panel helped me not think about what sharp edges were poking against my back while packing it.
At the end of the day, this is the most important aspect of a backpacking pack for me: will this pack make me feel uncomfortable as I hike, or will I be able to ignore the fact that it is there at all?
The hipbelt lays a little higher than other packs I’ve tried, which I like as it doesn’t rub my hip bones and doesn’t interfere with fanny pack access. The sternum strap can be adjusted, but I had some trouble getting the attachment in and out, so it’s not a process I’d want to be constantly repeating while hiking.
Can Handle a Large Load: Despite its ultralight construction, the pack is surprisingly robust. It is built to comfortably handle a load of up to 40 pounds, making it a great choice for thru-hikes, longer food carries, or those trips where you just really want to pack your most comfortable sleeping pad, a 0-degree quilt, and a full kitchen setup for camp.
While I’d never recommend exceeding a company’s listed load limit, I would be surprised if this pack couldn’t comfortably handle a heavier carry, though doing so regularly may diminish the pack’s longevity.
As Close to Truly Waterproof as a Pack Could Get: The use of DCF makes the main body of the pack virtually waterproof. This offers a significant advantage in unpredictable weather, giving you peace of mind that your gear will stay dry even during a downpour, without the need for a pack liner. That said, I would still throw a pack liner in if I found myself in a situation where I could be facing extended rain, such as a trip on the Appalachian Trail.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Junction Cons
Limited Compression: Due to its integrated frame, the pack doesn’t compress down as much as some other frameless packs. This means it’s less versatile for very small loads, as it may feel oversized and not as stable for a short overnight trip with minimal gear. For a thru-hike, I don’t see this as a problem, as I tend to fill all my available space with more food and eat like a queen for shorter food carries, but the Junction might be overkill on a two-day trip.
This is the pack rolled down as far as it can go before hitting the stays that support the back of the pack. It’s small, and not clunky by any means, but sometimes I want to really compress my gear- and get the pack compact. This pack would struggle with that.
Large Mesh: The large holes in the mesh of the back pocket are a trade-off for breathability. While great for wet gear, they are not suitable for storing small, loose items like a small tube of toothpaste or lip balm, which could easily fall out unnoticed. Additionally, anything that could poke through the mesh may end up sticking out of the back of your pack weirdly, even if it doesn’t fall out. I learned this the hard way when I walked seven miles with my toothbrush handle smacking against every tree along the way.
Would I Recommend This Pack?
For the hiker who has committed to a truly ultralight setup but still wants a pack that feels like a traditional backpacking bag, the Hyperlite Junction 55 is an outstanding choice. The seamless blend of an incredibly low base weight, rugged durability, and all-day comfort makes it a best-in-class option for thru-hikers and long-distance adventurers.
The pack lays close to my back and conforms well to the curve, never making me feel yanked backwards by the weight of my gear.
While its higher price tag and limited compression may be a barrier for some, the pack is a worthy investment for anyone who prioritizes performance and reliability on the trail. I plan to reach for this pack for two-day trips where I want heavy gear, trips over three days long, and trails that will take me through some unpredictable weather and wet environments.
Comparable Items
LiteAF 46L Curve Full Suspension
Price: $365
Weight: ~30 oz (torso size and hip belt dependent)
Load Limit: 35lbs
Durston Kakwa 55
Price: $279
Weight: ~30 oz (fabric and size dependent)
Load Limit: 45lbs
The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Junction was donated for the purpose of review.
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Comments 3
I used a HMG Southwest 55 for my successful PCT thruhike last year. It gave me shoulder pain in both shoulders every day. HMG really NEEDS to add load lifters like all other brands. I bought a ULA Ultra Circuit for my CDT thruhike to complete my Triple Crown.
I agree with the previous comment about HMG’s decision not to use load lifters on its packs. I’ve used Granite Gear Crown 60, Volpi UL40, Dana Design (in the 1990s) and Durston Kakwa 55 for longer backpacking trips, and they all incorporate load lifters. I find that load lifters make a big difference in my shoulder comfort. Then again, many long-distance backpackers love their HMG packs.
I was never able to carry a BV 500 horizontally in a 55 and Hyperlite confirmed that they haven’t changed the sizing.
Great pack. I wore mine out on trail. My wife is on her second while I switched to a pack that supports horizontal carry.