HMG 2400 or 3400

I am not sure about the Tarptent Li, I use a BA Scout Carbon. I also use a Bearikade Scout I picked up from Ryan a couple years ago. This all fits in a HMG 2400 Southwest.The UL pack is always under 16oz. There are several out there… The only caveat is the overall durability. But an occasional repair is expected.

The basic difference bet the 2400 and 3400 is its unrolled height which is roughly 4 inches. Width and bottom circumference is nearly the same for both. Bear vaults are a PITA not only with weight but bulk but where I go it’s often required and sometimes advisable.

BTW I have the TT S1 and lay it horizontally inside my HMG by removing the struts. I store them in my Tenkara case. Should work in either 2400 or 3400.

If your gear is dialed in with a base weight of 11-12 pounds, and you rarely need to carry a bear can, the Windrider 2400 is definitely big enough for 8 day trips in my experience. Others have reported carrying the BV450 internally with careful packing. You can always ask HMG, they probably get that question a lot.

And when you must carry a bear can, you can lash it under the Y-strap on top, and it should ride OK. I’ve put the larger, smoother Bearikade Expedition there a couple times – awkward but workable.

I’ve carried a few different nylon or polyester tents in a side pocket, works fine. DCF tents roll up much bigger, so can’t say if they will work. But the side pockets are pretty big (two 1-liter Smartwater bottles fit fine), and the built-in straps are extra-long.

You can trim a couple ounces off most HMG packs, and a simple modification made securing tents and other items outside even easier.

I’m very happy with my Windrider 2400 up to 25 pounds. Even 35 is tolerable if I’ll be eating and drinking my way through the excess in a few days.

Fit is critical – if it works, it works great. Pick the right torso size, four to choose from! Ask HMG if in doubt. Most other pack designers use a mish-mash of velcro and straps to approximate the right fit on one or two sizes. Doesn’t work very well for me.

But I’m biased toward smaller, simpler packs :-)

— Rex

I had 2400 Junction Black to replace ULA Ohm 2.0. Loved the higher water protection especially hiking in PNW. Excellent handling, feels tight against my back. Only issue is Medium was the wrong size which meant did not carry loads over 20lbs comfortably, hip belt was too high.  Next replaced with Large 2400 SW which was perfect fit, much better distributing weight once I fixed the shape of the aluminum stays. Sold it because I purchased used and was not in like new condition as was listed. Beauty is HMG gear has excellent resale value.  Went to Feathered Friends and was able to compare the 2400 SW vs 3400 NorthRim. Again had to fix the stays on the 3400, fixed from putting pressure into the shoulder, pinching back of my neck… Bought the 3400 NorthRim as it carried just as nimble/agile as the 2400 with much greater capacity. I love the heavy duty DCH150 body with the woven dyneema pockets and bottom. And no slit for the water hydration, no openings for water penetration means it’s as close to water proof and bomb proof as I’ll get for 2lb pack. The hip belt has extra 1/4″ padding in the 3400 making a bit more plusher/comfortable on hips.  I’m sold on the all-around capabilities of the 3400.

My wife has both the 2400 and the 3400. We often carry a BV500/Weekender. The 2400 barely fit so we upped to the 3400 and everything fits great. With a 450, my guess is that the 2400 would be fine. If you have one pack, and might need a bigger can, then the 3400 is just a taller, heavier 2400.