Which HMG Pack?

The 3400 is the perfect size and any extra room folds down easily. Keep in mind that their packs are listed for main compartment volume and does not include pockets. It’s a lot more volume than one would think. So the size is comparable to much larger, more traditionally measured packs.

I live at the base of the Olympic Mountains. I tried the Southwest 3400. I now only use a Zpacks Arc Blast and Arc Haul.

The HMG packs have pretty close to zero adjustability in some key areas.

The HMG packs looks cooler in photos, but they are very low-tech packs that are not at all optimized for carrying long distances compared to other packs. A lot of people are tough and don’t mind at all carrying a sub-optimal pack as long as it is simple, light-ish, and durable, which they are.

EDITED POST: Missed part of not wanting pockets. So Zpacks are out of the question as an alternative.

I’m fine having pockets. I just don’t always use them.

Don’t mean to drip off topic.  A question about HMG fit.  It looks like they use twin stays.  I assume from the shoulder strap attachment point down to the hip belt area.  They do not use load lifters.  So.  Should one think about ordering a longer torso so that the shoulder strap rolls of the top of the shoulder a bit more horizontal vs rolling over the shoulder even though there is a frame of sorts?  Thanks.  ~RL

Long time user of the Southwest 3400, probably 5-6+ years now? Maybe longer. Pack is still going strong and will do the SHR with me this July. I like the pocket configuration. I have the original with the smaller hip pockets and they suit me fine. Sunscreen, lip balm, and few odds and ends in one hip pocket, headlamp and fire-starting in the other. Quart water bottles in side pockets. Main back pocket carries a windshell, journal, maps, the days food, water filter/bladder, misc.

I don’t mind weight on my shoulders, I would guess I run somewhere around 30/70 or 40/60 -shoulders/hips. Mind you, prior to the Southwest I ran a GoLite Jam 2 for many years….so I obviously enjoy minimalist packs.

My straps definitely run over and around the shoulders, not from above. I cannot speculate as to whether ordering large would be wise.

Typically the weight of the HMG packs is a bit more than many minimalist’s packs. I have an older HMG Southwest 2400 that comes in at just about 2#. With your load out, that would give you about 12.5# base. Likely, you will want the larger 3400. I was using the GG Murmur at about a pound less weight. But, many of my trips are in heavily scrubbed back country trails for about a week or more. So, I got the Southwest to put my mind at ease when going through the scrub/bush. Anything up to a week out should be fine for everything but deep winter trips. There are some places you can strip the pack a bit.
1) The main compartment closures are a bit ridiculous. They have the Drybag type closure, They have a pull down to the sides type closure. And they have a strap/loop that goes over the top. Why three? I removed the pull down side closure straps.
2) The angled compression straps didn’t work too well. You are better off changing these to a two strap system that buckles near the center (where it is locked down near the center strap.) The angled straps do little for holding fishing rods, my saw, and other long stuff. (rolled up tarp, rolled up tent, etc.) This makes the pockets very useful for hauling stuff and is a bit lighter, too.
3) Unless you have a full pack at all times (likely impossible with a 3400,) the upper loop will NOT hold a bear ball (bear canister) well. It likes to slip out one way or the other. I never did change this, but a simple strap would work better and save a bit of weight. I usually drop the bear ball in the bottom of my pack, anyway, just as if I was carrying my bear bag, when needed.
I have had it several years now. Some of the fabric is a bit discolored, but it is all in good shape. So, durability is VERY HIGH. Well worth the dollars, and, the extra pound of weight.

I’ve been using the Porter 4400 large w/ ski mod and water bladder sleeve since ’18.  It fits me well whether a 15 lb or 32 lb (my max) load. Yes, it’s a heavy bag but I really like the capacity esp when I need to carry the bear vault. When not using it I just roll the top down.

Don’t mean to drip off topic.  A question about HMG fit.  It looks like they use twin stays.  I assume from the shoulder strap attachment point down to the hip belt area.  They do not use load lifters.  So.  Should one think about ordering a longer torso so that the shoulder strap rolls of the top of the shoulder a bit more horizontal vs rolling over the shoulder even though there is a frame of sorts?  Thanks.  ~RL

I picked up my Windrider 2400 around when they were released. I opted to go with my standard torso size and the shoulder straps curve slightly upward over my shoulder. I never have my pack loaded over my shoulder straps, or where the twin stays end, so I wouldn’t benefit from load lifters. I know someone figured out how to rig load lifters to their pack, but you have to go with a shorter torso size/straps rolling over the shoulder. I probably would’ve gone this route if I knew beforehand:  https://benkilbourne.com/blog/2019/6/23/adding-loadlifters-to-hmg-packs

1) The main compartment closures are a bit ridiculous. They have the Drybag type closure, They have a pull down to the sides type closure. And they have a strap/loop that goes over the top. Why three? I removed the pull down side closure straps.

I did the same, along with removing the side compression straps and the four attachments on the front pocket. I just found they got more in the way or were never used.

3) Unless you have a full pack at all times (likely impossible with a 3400,) the upper loop will NOT hold a bear ball (bear canister) well. It likes to slip out one way or the other. I never did change this, but a simple strap would work better and save a bit of weight. I usually drop the bear ball in the bottom of my pack, anyway, just as if I was carrying my bear bag, when needed.
I have had it several years now. Some of the fabric is a bit discolored, but it is all in good shape. So, durability is VERY HIGH. Well worth the dollars, and, the extra pound of weight.

My pack is compressed enough where I carry a Bearikade Blazer so it partially sits against the stays and is cradled on top with a sit pad between, and I found it pretty solid. I do keep my food in my pack and not in the bear can when hiking though. I agree with the durability. My pack is going on 10 years, and I’ve only had one small 1/2″  tear on the nylon face and patched it with Dyneema tape and some minor stretched stitch holes on the front pocket, probably because I loaded it more than I should.

Like Johan mentioned, the pack was sub-optimal for me and I just lived with it. The minimally padded hip belt would bruise my hipbones if I carried more than 20 pounds and the original packs came with the top shoulder straps sewn too close together, so they put more weight on your trapezius, and their hip belt pockets were pitifully small, which was updated in the past year or so IIRC. I finally got tired of my pack this year and ended up ordering an Atom Packs Mo 40L.

I generally see backpackers with the Windrider/Southwest/etc. and pack rafters/winter hikers with the Porter. Not sure if that correlates to anything.

I have a SW 2400 in a tall, but I need that size. I adjust it so there is very little weight on my shoulders, as in almost none. So far I haven’t loaded it tall enough that adding load lifters would even help, but as is it hasn’t bothered me at all, even though it was a concern when I bought it.

I don’t find most of the straps all that useful, but I haven’t removed them yet, might do that soon though.

I don’t like hanging things on the outside of my pack, I do too much bushwacking and off trail hiking, all thoughs things on the outside tend to get snagged on stuff.

I have it loaded at 22lbs and wear it almost every day, I can hike right from my house and wanted to make sure it fit me correctly before going on longer trips with it. After few months of that it feels fine. At first the hip belt felt stiff and not that comfortable, but now I don’t even think about it.

What pack do you use now?

The 3400 would be the most versatile for you.