2014 HMG pockets and hipbelt pockets

I have a 3400 Porter with the HMG hip belt pockets.

If I were to purchase again, I would definitely use after-market hip belt pockets. The HMG pockets are difficult to open, and the opening makes it hard to get things in and out of the pocket once its open. The hip belt pockets on the Gorilla are way better, for example. I am thinking of cutting the pockets off the Porter and getting some Zimmerbuilt or Zpacks pockets to replace them.

I can't speak to the outside pockets on the Windrider.

Good luck!

Thanks Paul. Do you know if your pack is the latest design with the "new" hipbelt pockets? So far, I've heard about this from a few people and it's not entirely encouraging.

The hipbelt pockets are just fine. The zipper is 'sticky' because it is a WP zip. They are small so I have no idea how someone would bang into them with their arms unless they are super narrow in the shoulders.

The new pocket's zippers go across the top and down the front of the pocket, so they open wider than the old pockets, but it's still tight getting things in and out. Chapstick- okay, power bar- okay, camera- not so good. They are too small for anything bulkier than thin liner gloves. They zip closed front to back, so the zip pull tends to hide under the base of the shoulder strap. I can open them with one hand, so that's good. I would prefer pockets like the Granite Gear aftermarket ones. Bigger and more useful.

I have no issues reaching the side pockets on my Windrider. I keep a water bottle on my right and hats and gloves on my left. I have pretty flexible arms though.

I just took delivery of a 2014 and don't have any issues, in fact I was a little apprehensive to buy after reading lots of reviews about how horrible the pockets are but don't mind them a bit. I can easily fit 1-2 clif bars and some trail mix in one and iPhone 5, Leatherman Style in the other. I suppose you might be disappointed if you want to keep something big like heavy gloves or a hat in the hipbelt.

Now one thing I noticed is the way the zipper goes across and down the pocket makes it so you have to unzip it ALL the way to open the pocket, just unzipping across the top leaves the pocket tightly cinched. Didn't realize this when I got it and thought maybe the pockets really were useless like I read a lot about, then unzipped that last inch and they flopped right open. They do seem fully waterproof too, I hiked in the rain all day Sunday and though I'm still leaving my phone in a backup bag they were bone dry on the inside.

What Matt said — +1.

Sure, other companies do have better hipbelt pockets, but they're rarely waterproof (meaning the zipper is easier to use, but less weather resistant–the tradeoff). I find them workable enough if you open the pocket all the way, and beyond that, I couldn't care less so long as they hold a few small items.

Hipbelt pockets that generally work don't make or break a pack for me.

I have a 2014 Windrider SW 2400. I haven't had any issues with the hip belt pockets…they open and close as expected. They are smaller than HB pockets on other packs I've had, but I've been able to fit into them what I normally pack there. I'm not able to pull a water bottle out of the side pockets, though (bummer). That could be me as my (relatively long arms) don't seem all that flexible reaching back like that (at least I've experienced the same thing with other packs).

Can anyone fit a Galaxy S6 or similar size phone in the pockets? I use my phone for navigation, camera, watch, etc. so I like having it handy but not in my shorts/pants pocket. Hipbelt pockets in the past have been the perfect place for my phone. I am interested in buying a HMG pack but would worry about the purchase if the hipbelt pockets couldn’t fit a phone.

I have an Iphone 7 that barely fits in the hip belt pocket: too large to get in and out easily plus the pocket curves with the hipbelt and the phone doesn’t (at least as long as it remains a functioning phone).
Get yourself a Zimmerbuilt water bottle pocket for your shoulder strap: Keep your phone in there (in a ziplock or small stuff sack if necessary) – I have one on all my packs. Very handy, lets me take more pictures.

Jacob,

are you a Berserker? If yes, I love your blog! Fist bump!

i have a 2016 HMG 2400 Windrider. I’m really liking the pack after getting rid of my Arc Haul because I didn’t like the way it carried. I’m not sure if the 2014 is the same as the current version but my hip belt pockets are ridiculously small. They’re easy enough to open and close but I can barely fit a Clif bar and Chapstick in one. I feel like the older versions have pockets that are slightly larger.

Don