Porter Pack – HMG hip belt pockets or “after market”

Hey Wolf — I got my 3400 with the HMG built-in; if I had it to do over again I'd go Zimmerbuilt for the flexibility, especially having added Zimmer water bottle pockets and seeing how awesome they are.

I opted for the standard hip belt (no pockets) for my HMG Porter. For some trips I attach one, or both, of my older version Zpacks zippered cuben hip belt pockets. My aftermarket pockets attach easily enough, stay securely attached and hold quite a bit of stuff; my one primary gripe with them is it's still difficult to open and close them with one hand. Perhaps the new version of the Zpacks hip belt pockets resolved this?

For me, one of the draws to the Porter line of packs is the modularity of the pack design. I like having the option to add, or remove, hip belt pockets, bottle pockets, wand pockets, shock cord, stuff pockets, etc. as needed for the particulars of a given trip. It gives me a bit of flexibility to lay out and organize the manner in which I carry my gear to best suit each trip (e.g., hauling lots of water or not, bushwahcking trip or not, carrying snowshoes or not, and so on.).

Thank you both for taking the time to share your experience. Now we just need Scree to chime in with how his Zimmerbuilt hip belt pockets are working out! I am definitely leaning towards modular as long as they stay secure and give little fuss. I would like to be able to remove one to keep near me under the tarp for any small items I might want in the night.

I haven't tried the Zimmerbuilt hipbelt pockets (but I do have the side pockets for the Porter), but I'm pretty happy with the HMG ones. They recently updated the design, so now they're easier to open, but they're harder to get things out of. It's not a perfect system, but I don't like to fiddle with these kinds of things, and the integration is simple enough for me.

I don't put a lot of stuff in my hipbelt pockets either. So keep that in mind. I usually just keep a few snacks and some sunblock.

I shot an email off to HMG a few hours ago, hopefully its not a problem. If I don't hear back I'll probably give them a call in the morning before the shop gets potentially busy sewing pockets on my belt. haha. I like the idea of no pockets sometimes and versatility. I'll be contacting Chris and Zpacks to see about my options. I might want to ask you a few questions, Nico, about the Zpacks belt pockets. You said yours are an older zippered version? They completely different than the current offering?

I know the feeling. I think you will be happy either way.
Like you though, I wanted a bare bones pack.

I'd make sure they got the message. I'm not sure Mike always catches his e-mails right away.

I'm happy with my Zimmer pockets. The attachment is secure. He lowered the back clip so I could attach it to my belt adjustment, which works well. I had 2 loops put on for the front attachment and pinned it to the belt. Real secure but tends to flatten out the pocket. I reverted to a small piece of shock cord like on the Zpack's pocket. The straps that go around the belt actually hold them pretty good anyway. I use two hands on the zipper. I use two hands on any ultralight zipper. The Hmg's might give a little more room. I have plenty of room for all I need except my crackers. Bigger and my arms would be constantly brushing against them. As much as I do like the pockets, it is nice to not always have them on either.
What you might consider if you get hold of them is using a removable Ice Pack belt. It cost me $20. Saved me $20 when I had a second smaller pack made.

The water bottle pockets that Chris made are very useful. Like other wb pockets, I can't reach them easily. His standard wb pocket works best for a water bottle.
The problem with Zimmer is that it's like going to a plastic surgeon. You keep going back for more. At least I got some holiday shopping done.

Love your post title, Scree. That's exactly what is going on with me too. haha. You're right though, I know I'll be happy either way. Mike has been very easy to talk to and great at communicating through emails. I don't expect people to email far outside work hours. I will give them a call first thing in the morning if I don't hear back.

Ever try putting your belt pockets on the side of your pack? I was thinking the Zpack ones might work well either way. Would be a nice option with the Porters three sets of compression straps. I'm also a bit worried about being annoyed at brushing my arms up against the pockets when walking. I'd like the option of pulling them off and tossing them in my pack whenever I feel the need.

I noticed you're pack had a removable belt in another thread. Its a cool option, but not something I would want for this pack.

@Wolf’s Rain:

Yeah, the old version of the Zpacks pockets look more or less like a miniaturized Zpacks Multipack. It was just a simple zippered cuben fiber pocket with a couple of attachment points on the back to fasten to the daisy chains on the hipbelt.

You can see one of the pockets in the below photo, just under the Multipack:

The new Zpacks pockets look a bit bigger than mine and have a totally different closure system.

I haven't tried them on the side. They would fit and be secure, might be a little floppy. They don't hold a lot. They are mostly good for small things you want handy. They work best on the belt but I can see the reasoning. That's what is nice about modularity. You can make it fit your personal style. What was nice about working with Zimmerman is that you can change attachment points around. For that I'd just have him build a bigger pocket to go on the daisy chains. you may not even want a belt pocket or you may just want one.

Thanks for posting the pic, Nico. It looks like the newer pockets have an elasticized top. I wonder a bit how that would be getting stuff in and out easily. They definitely look quite roomy though.

How do you like your multipack? What options have you come up with attaching it to your porter? Anyway to make it a lid? Attach to the back daisy chain?

You can attach anything to anything. Sorta.

http://www.zimmerbuilt.com/hardware.html

@ Wolf's Rain:
I like the Multi-pack for what I use it for (a pack for camera gear). I mostly use it as a chest pack although it gets a bit hot having it ride on my chest all day. Still, it's way lighter and lies flatter (when not bulging full of stuff) than just about any dedicated camera chest pack. I use little bubble wrap "pockets" to protect my lenses, etc. inside.

It'd be easy enough to attach the multi-pack to the rear daisy chains. I reckon you could probably use it as some sort of lid on the Porter too but I've never bothered trying.

I keep meaning to try a set up Ryan Jordan posted a photo of a while back. He fastened the multipack to the side daisy chain on his Porter and then to the rear-most daisy chain on the hip belt, so it sort of functioned like an oversized hip belt pocket but it was set farther back out of the way. Seemed like an interesting option to have lots of "hip belt" storage without being a hindrance or getting in the way.

That sounds like a really cool idea as long as it doesn't impede arm movement on one side. Let me know if you test it out!

There is a sweet spot between the belt and the pack. You can reach something there without having it be in the way. That's really where my water bottle pockets should be.
The belt is one place the clips won't work. They're 1", the belt strap is 1.5". You only have 3 points to attach to unless you use the shoulder strap. The Zpack bag might work well there.

See RJ’s set up HERE

I use the multipack as an oversized pocket attached to the hipbelt in the same way as a regular hipbelt pocket (on a ZPacks' Arc Blast and Zero). It works for me without getting in the way of arm movement. I use poles, which might make a difference.
BTW, you can still get zippered hipbelt pockets from ZPacks as a special order.

I e-mailed HMG(Mike) on Monday and haven't heard back yet. He may be out for a couple of days. You might want to do a follow up.

The side multipack still looks a bit awkward to me. If I was carrying camera equipment I could understand it. There is just not that much stuff I need handy. I'm tempted to try it as a front bag but have a feeling that it would end up as a lid.
Now if you had a removable belt to use with it, it would become a camp pack so you can leave the Porter at camp.

Scree Ride, the multipack comes with a removable belt.

Heard back from HMG this morning and the no hip belt pockets is a go. I'm happy I caught it in time. Now to plan out where to get pockets from. I think I'll pick up a multipack but not sure about Zpacks vs Zimmerman pockets.

If that Multipack works on the side, you may not want any belt pockets. It is nice to have a choice. Good you got hold of them.

I just received my Porter 3400 yesterday evening. I immediately loaded it up with my shoulder season gear and it felt great. For external pockets, I snagged the white VX21 Zimmberbuilt side pockets that Ike sold here a couple of weeks ago, and secured one to the side for an insulated water bottle. I can't wait to use it on a trip, which if things go right will be next Sunday-Wednesday.

I do have a quick question: does the 3400 Porter have hip belt stabilizer straps? ***Edit*** HMG e-mailed me back and they've nixed those straps from the newer models since they felt that they didn't add anything to the comfort/carrying capability of the pack.

Received my pack in the mail yesterday and thought I would post some pics.