Hyperlite Mountain Gear Porter / Expedition Pack Review

[Nick Gatel]

I've seen the three strap design somewhere before. ; )

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Not to mention some of the other "unique" stuff. Actually if you if you look at a lot of the features in the review, and take a real close look at your pack, seems there are a lot of similarities; but yours is constructed better and many design elements are more functional on yours.

[David Ure]

"but yours is constructed better and many design elements are more functional on yours"

Indeed. It's brilliant.

[Stephan Doyle]

The daisy chains and side compression straps are "unique" in that you don't see this simplicity from any of the other pack manufacturers (except, of course, Dan McHale). Hardly innovative, but capturing a vision that isn't seen from any non-custom packmaker.

Mine carries exceedingly well (it feels like the big brother of my Burn––it feels small, hugging my back, and rides in the perfect spot, starting just at my waist with a circumference not bigger than my own torso––which is a major compliment to the design). After a weekend with my Expedition, it's time for final inspection and pondering lest I spring for a similar McHale.

After 5 days of use, I'm surprised how "small" a 70L pack feels on my back. Based on my preliminary sampling, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Porter/Expedition packs to anyone who aligns their backpacking with HMG's product vision.

[Ken Thompson]

My Kelty Satori circa 2000 has the 3 strap setup as well. No McHale by any means but the straps are there.

[Anthony Weston]

I'd love to see a product review that compares the HMG Porter, MLD full suspension Exodus, the ULA XAIR and the Zpacks EXO just to see which has the best suspension. I have a 5 to 6 lb baseweight but sometimes I need to carry a large amount of water in the desert. I included the zpacks because I own the pack and love it. I've had a windrider and it was very comfortable, beautiful pack.

[dan mchale]

Stephen, I don't think the issue is simplicity. There are many cottage packs and packs in general that can be considered simple and elegant in design. The issue is the type of daisy chains that are spaced at approximately 11.5" apart that are meant to accommodate various types of pockets. If anyone can claim uniqueness it is myself, since I have been doing that design for at least 10 years. And, since Ryan has purchased at least 4 packs from me of that design, I think it is a little disingenuous for Ryan to claim uniqueness for the Porter in the review, since he has had much knowledge of my system over the years and has helped HMG with their design. The 2 daisy chain systems of McHale Packs and HMG are within 1/4" of each other on overall spacing in the 11.5" to 12" span.

[CW]

The uniqueness claim was one I made, and I have zero experience with McHale packs other than seeing photos on the web.

"Unique features" in this case is in reference to comparable packs and not tied in any shape or form to any dictionary definition. I don't consider a custom made McHale pack that can cost 2-3x what the HMG runs to be comparable. Maybe that's just me though.

[dan mchale]

How convenient for you to take responsibility….Ryan's name is on the review as well as yours.

As far as a pack of mine costing 2 to 3 times more I think you are out of your element. A pack of the same design from me would cost no more than $100.00 more than an HMG.

You say, ""Unique features" in this case is in reference to comparable packs…."

Chris, that doesn't fly.

[CW]

Yep, it is. We have both field tested the packs and both contributed parts to the review.

I haven't seen a single pack on your site that starts at $375, and I've spent a fair bit of time looking over it as I've considered one several times. Maybe I just missed it.

[dan mchale]

I really don't think your knowledge of my website is the point. My point does not really change if you take responsibility for claiming the uniqueness. The point is that it is not unique to the Porter. Besides, you claim here to have looked at my site quite a bit – you did not notice a similar daisy chain pattern? You also claimed it does not matter only because my packs might cost more?

Chris Wallace said, "I haven't seen a single pack on your site that starts at $375, and I've spent a fair bit of time looking over it as I've considered one several times."

I said,

" The issue is the type of daisy chains that are spaced at approximately 11.5" apart that are meant to accommodate various types of pockets. If anyone can claim uniqueness it is myself, since I have been doing that design for at least 10 years. And, since Ryan has purchased at least 4 packs from me of that design, I think it is a little disingenuous for Ryan to claim uniqueness for the Porter in the review, since he has had much knowledge of my system over the years and has helped HMG with their design. The 2 daisy chain systems of McHale Packs and HMG are within 1/4" of each other on overall spacing in the 11.5" to 12" span."

Chris said, "We have both field tested the packs and both contributed parts to the review."

You two don't talk to each other? Based on what I have said about Ryan's involvement, I don't think it matters who claimed the uniqueness in the review.

[CW]

The two daisy chains on the front of the pack are not unique (by dictionary terms) to this pack (or yours, or the Marmot Eiger line, or any of many other packs). If it makes *you* feel better, I will edit the article so it mentions the 4 total vertical daisy chains as being unique. Or is that unique to your packs as well?

[Ken Thompson]

"Unique features" in this case is in reference to comparable packs and not tied in any shape or form to any dictionary definition.

I meant banana not toilet seat cover.

WTF Are we suppose to guess what you mean if you can't choose words to describe exactly what you mean?

[CW]

Everyone in the universe isn't going to interpret the meaning of a word in a strict sense. Some (dare I say most) people speak liberally.

In fact, if we do look at a strict definition, as soon as more than a single pack of any given design exists it is no longer unique.

[Don Meredith]

NM

[dan mchale]

Don, that's $100.00 more than the $300.00 HMG. :>)

[Ken Thompson]

BS

Interpret that OK?

[CW]

Glad we can all act like adults and have intelligent conversations.

[Ken Thompson]

"Some (dare I say most) people speak liberally."

You mean literally don't you? Or do you mean people talk too much. See how using the wrong can change the whole meaning?

[dan mchale]

You've got some poor arguments going there Chris. And no. mentioning the other Daisys changes nothing, it's about the other two, and not so much whether they are unique or not but the process by which they ended up on the HMG pack.

[Don Meredith]

Dan, thanks… I caught that after I posted. Hopefully this won't come across the wrong way but I do have a question. You seem to gladly admit that your pack would be $100 more for the same design as the HMG Porter. What's the value proposition that justifies the 36% percent premium? Is it just that they're producing the same pack over and over and yours is produced per order?

DM

[CW]

No, I mean liberal. As in go about a mile down the road and make a right. About a mile is used in a liberal sense. It might be 3/4 of a mile or 1.5 miles.

[dan mchale]

Don, I was mostly making the point that there is no way my version would cost 2 to 3 times more than the Porter for the same thing. Chris was speaking out of ignorance. As for the premium, Ryan even questioned the durability and quality of the Porter seams in the review. My quality would be unquestionably and obviously excellent.

[Dan @ Durston Gear]

Can we really buy a simple cuben McHale for $400?

[Ken Thompson]

"Glad we can all act like adults and have intelligent conversations."

Hey we are just trying to figure out what you mean since we can't tell by what you write at times. Geez.
You are taking this review way too personally. Just because it is crap does not mean you are.

Stay objective, not reactive.

OK that was fun. I am done here.

[Kattt]

Did Costco have a good deal on vitriol ? I am almost out and I need some handy, just in case..
;)

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