What's the deal with compression straps over side pockets?

Have you seen a Katabatic Gear pack in person? I have a Katabatic Gear Helios and the compression straps can go over the pockets or under.  You can see examples on their website as well. No problems compressing the lower part of the sack.

Under or over….same with other packs I have seen. My newer model Exos can be threaded inside or out as well. I owned a pack that didn’t though and considered it a PITA.

Good to know about Katabatic. Is that true of HMG as well?

“Good to know about Katabatic. Is that true of HMG as well?”

No they do not. In fact, the HMG design is terrible in my opinion. Here’s a video I did on the HMG 2400. You can forward to about 7:45 for the compression/side pocket detail.

I asked HMG about the straps, whether they would put them inside/under that pocket (they won’t), and to explain the logic. Here is the response:

“Shawn,

Thanks for taking the time to reach out to us.  The compression strap is going to be placed on the outside of the pocket to compress the full sidewall fabrication, whether it is in use or not.  The strapping will also assist with keeping bottles or equipment in place with the external compression, while the pack is in use.  I hope this will clear things up, but please get back to me if you have any other questions.
<div>Thanks, “</div>

That is so frustrating and it’s such an easy fix to allow the user to run compression either over or under the pocket. I won’t ever buy a pack that runs compression over the pocket. It’s a dealbreaker.

I have never seen a HMG pack in person.

Sewn on side pockets are a deal killer for me. I hate them. Too much bulk protruding from the pack to catch on something, usually elastic at the top that degrades over time, and too much potential to put stuff in them and move the center of gravity away from your body. I do like removable side water pockets.

If I were in the market for a HMG, I would be looking at the plain 2400 or 3400… but there appears to be very little taper from the top to the bottom, which is another deal breaker for me. My McHale LBP has 3 side compression straps and all are easily removable. The bottom strap can go behind or over the removable water pockets, which are large — they can carry a 64 oz Gatorade bottle. When I hike without the water bottle pockets I remove the bottom compression straps because there is less pack material to compress compared to the middle strap and even more material to compress at the top of the pack. The McHale has a tapered design; larger volume at the top and middle compared to the bottom. I never have had a need to compress the bottom of the pack.

These are my preferences, many will disagree.

HMG 3400 Porter w/ Zimmerbuilt removable pockets. Lower compression straps can be routed over or behind the pockets. Works great.

Nice solution, Alex. I did not know about the Zimmerbuilt pockets for exactly that purpose (http://www.zimmerbuilt.com/store/p43/HMG_Porter_Water_Bottle_Pockets.html). It’s amazing that it takes a second company to fix what I consider a flaw of another company’s product. I’ll have to think about this solution as I can appreciate the flexibility this allows but have never been a fan of what I would call a Frankenstein pack (e.g., I don’t like the clip on everything in the MLD line-up). Still, it’s intriguing. Do you still use a liner in your Porter for possible seam leak or is the water repellency sufficient with the HMG pack for you?

Yes, I use a liner (trash compactor bag) with the Porter. The pack by itself would probably handle light to moderate rain or a quick dunk fine, but I like the added protection of the liner. I only pack my sleeping bag and warm clothes in the liner. When it’s raining and I have to dig through the contents to grab something it’s reassuring to know that those items will remain bone dry. It’s also somewhat of a multi-purpose safety item (e.g. poncho, ground cloth).

Note that HMG makes removable water bottle holders, not pockets, that can be attached to the sides of the Porter.