Zpacks Exo and HMG Windrider

Hey Kenny,

When it really comes down to it there are only five main differences…

(1) the Exo has external support stays – the HMG has internal stays

(2) the Exo has a removable carbon fiber stays – the HMG has removable aluminum stays

(3) the Exo is lighter weight – the HMG offers better padding

(4) the Exo has detachable shoulder straps – the HMG has permanently attached shoulder straps

(5) the Exo gives you 3000 cu/in capacity – the HMG gives you 2650 cu/in capacity

Nobody here can tell you which of those is best for you. You have to realistically decide which of those five issues is most important to you and make your choice from there.

John B. Abela
HikeLighter.Com

I'll add HMG's material is much more burly than what Zpacks is using.

Also, the white might actually give you problems in the desert. I haven't used mine in a hot environment yet, but it lets in lots of UV light (perhaps, too, heat). The Zpacks material does not have this issue.

You really could flip a coin, as there's no clearly better between them. The Zpacks is lighter, but will be harder to pack. Two truly great packs.

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I'm confused as to what you mean by outer shell. Do you mean the exterior layer of fabric in the laminate?

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The fabric on the Exo is finished at 2.92 oz / sq yd and the HMG fabric is 3.3 oz / sq yd. The HMG fabric is a bit more heavy duty and water absorption (tested and coming soon as part of the Porter/Expedition review) is minimal. Drying times are also quite short. The material Joe is using wasn't tested so I don't know how it performs.

Hey guys I'm on my phone so I'm gonna keep it short.

Just got off the phone with Mike, I ordered the windrider and stuff sack set.

Thanks,

Kenny.

I've been thrilled with both my HMG pack and my experience with Mike and gang.

Regarding picking up water weight in the rain, I have not measured but it the fabric holds far less than say the cordura used on a Vapor Trail. There is no noticeable weight gain (it was not weighed before and after) so it must be minimal. It is fully waterproof fabric.

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Thanks for the link. I wonder if it is the nylon component of the fabric absorbing the water. Interesting.

It probably is the nylon absorbing water, However the test performed in that article isn't really indicative of real world performance.

The bag was soaked in water for a half hour, this is far more water exposure than most rain scenarios where you either have light rain all day or a quick downpour. Also if there is a DWR (I have no idea) a submersion test negates that benefit. As for water absorption, it's hard to say how much was absorbed by the fabric (I'd say minimal given Chris's experiences) and rather absorbed by the mesh and other fabrics on the pack.

Transfers the weight better to the hips and takes virtually all the weight off the back?

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