I know this has been discussed before, but I wanted feedback on the HMG Windrider 4400. I currently have a ULA Catalyst. It’s a nice pack, but it’s probably too big for what I do. I like that the Windrider is lighter and is waterproofish.
I’m looking for an all-around pack for longer and snow trips. I realize there’s no one-size fits all pack, but I need one pack to do most things due to a variety of reasons. I used to have an Osprey Aether 70. It’s a great pack, but it was heavy with too many bells and whistles.
I have a few concerns:
- Load carrying – I can carry up to 40 lbs (including the pack) depending on the length of the trip. I’ve never carried more than that. I am somewhat ashamed of this. I feel like no one on BPL would ever carry such a load, but I do sometimes. See below for details. Both the Catalyst and the HMG say they can handle those loads. The Catalyst can carry it somewhat comfortably if I pack it super carefully. This can be tricky.
- Lack of load lifters – I’ve found that load lifters can be the difference between the Catalyst carrying well and being really uncomfortable.
- Durability – I hear rave things. Still, Cuben makes me worried. I’ve had some issues with Cuben. My Zpacks bear bag developed some nice tears with minimal use. I’m not exactly super kind to my gear. I probably abuse it too much. Of course, I’ve gotten tears in the side pockets of the Catalyst, although I’m not sure exactly what happened.
- The pockets – the Catalyst has pockets that you can cinch down. I worry about stuff falling out in the HMG pack, especially if the pack ends up in a sub0optimal gravitational orientation. Last trip, the Catalyst tumbled down a hill after I attempting to get it past a very large downed tree in which crossing with the pack on me was just not possible. If people want to know how that happened, I can expound.
I would also consider the HMG Porter. I mostly like that the pocket you can buy has bungees on it, as they’re quite useful for strapping wet clothes onto. I would probably buy the side pockets from Zimmerbuilt. In my head, I would change it up and customize it depending on  my trip, but I probably won’t.
*Justifying 40 lbs
I go on long trips. For 10 days, I carry a lot of food. Unless I eat a lot of calories, I feel like complete garbage. I bonk hard. I can’t think straight. I make bad decisions. I get angry. I getting nauseous. I need at least 3 snacks a day in addition to solid 3 meals. I like tasty meals. I tried doing the eating high calorie nut thing, and it totally didn’t work. Sometimes, there’s a bear canister as well.
I would also like to use the pack for snow camping, and gear and food adds up a lot.
I am a thirsty man, and for desert hiking, I like carrying a lot of water. I’ve run out of water, gotten heat stroke, etc, and probably nearly died. I learned my lesson, so I carry lots of water.
Finally, I sometimes carry other people’s stuff.
