HMG vs Superior Wilderness Designs long haul 50?

I have an HMG Porter and a SWD Rugged Big Wild 70. The SWD pack is better in every way. Given a choice between the two, I would choose SWD. In other news, I have a well-used Porter that needs a new home…

Ditto. I used an HMG Porter for 2-3 seasons, owned a few packs since then, and recently got a SWD Rugged Long Haul 50L. The design, materials, craftsmanship, fit, and carrying capability of SWD’s pack are better than HMG’s. I opted for the sewn-in hip belt on my Long Haul, but I am curious about the hanging version. If I was ordering a larger volume pack from SWD and regularly carrying more than ~30 lbs., then I’d definitely go with the hanging hip belt.

The SWD’s harness and hip belt have a wonderful shape and just the right amount+ of padding. The HMG’s feel solid and direct, but after some miles started to dig in here, rub there, on me.

Thanks guys, I greatly appreciate the feedback.

I have not used a SWD Long Haul, but I own a SWD Movement and as a family we have owned several HMG packs in the past. I am considering the purchase of a LH, which I would definitely choose over the standard HMG packs.

• The LH has 4″ of adjustable torso and a removable wrap around hipbelt. Both are big advantages whether buying for yourself or considering passing it down in the future.
• The LH seems to be made of more durable fabrics than DCH 50 or  even DCH 150 for similar weights. I find both flavors of DCH to not be a durable fabric for the weight, but of course that depends on one’s usage.
• The LH can be stripped down to be used as frameless pack, the HMGs I owned previously did not. Even using them as a framed pack, I love the fact that I can take off the foam back pad from the SWD packs and use it as a sit pad. Then reinsert it on the outside to continue trekking.
• The SWD packs offer something like 26 grosgrain webbing loops all over for all manner of attaching pockets and lashing things to the outside. This practicality is not quite matched by the standard pocketed HMG packs I owned before. Again, my first HMG had a removable hipbelt. And then they did away with it. So they may had some changes.
• If carrying heavy loads, consider the Wendigo, which appears to be a LH with a taller frame. This should make the load lifters more practical than on the LH. On the other hand, the LH would be easier to sneak aboard a plane for that reason. The HMG packs did not used to have load lifters.

Write to SWD if you haven’t yet. They are super helpful and a pleasure to work with.