After reading tons of reviews I have settled on an HMG, I really want the Windrider but after trying it in person I had two concerns- I wanted the mesh pocket to expand more easily (it was rather stiff, but very strong!) and I wanted to lace shock cord throughout. With the Windrider you can customize the side pockets but they won’t add daisy chains or change the mesh, but you can lace shock cord through the four clips but it results in a small amount of shock cord.
The Porter is more versatile in that it comes with daisy chains and you could lace shock cord and even buy something like this:Â http://superiorwildernessdesignsllc.bigcartel.com/product/removable-pack-pocket to put on the back- the only problem is that I can’t find side pockets made of dyneema or something equally as durable to daisy chain on the sides.
If you have a Windrider, do you find that the mesh gives a little over time so that the mesh can be accessed more?
Do others have an opinion on whether I should go with the Windrider and sacrifice my shock cord/ more mesh desire or attempt to build my own bag and perhaps result in a frankenstein pack?
