It's a special thing when you acquire a new piece of gear that not only fills the needs of what you bought it for but also inspires you to use it as often as you can. That was how I felt when I picked up my Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 55. This isn't a new pack for me; I've had it for nearly two years and have hiked hundreds of miles with it. Even after multiple seasons of use, I still daydream about my next overnight whenever I open my gear closet and see it hanging there.
Starting out as a small cottage company in Maine, Hyperlite is now a well-established pillar of the backpacking and mountaineering communities. If you look at any serious expedition, it's almost guaranteed that those involved will be using HMG products. And the reasons are obvious. My Southwest 55 has easily handled everything I've ever thrown at it. I've scraped it against the red rock walls of slot canyons in Utah, had it strapped to the bow of my packraft as I splash through class 2 rapids, and have hiked hours on end in the pouring rain without ever compromising the gear I've hauling. It's a simple yet comfortable pack that wears well and can handle up to 40lbs with no issues. The straightforward design features a 55-liter interior, basically one large roll-top pocket with a reservoir sleep inside. On the outside are two oversized water bottle pockets, capable of carrying two 1L Smartwater bottles each, and a large middle pocket with plenty of additional storage. The hip belt is comfortable and features two easy-to-open zipper pockets. The Y strap on top makes it easy to strap bulky items like a packraft or a bear can on the outside.
I've used the Southwest for day hikes, quick overnights, and extended backcountry trips. The rolltop feature offers the convenience of using as much or as little of the 55-liter capacity as you need. It carries weight well, thanks to the aluminum frame stays. The Dyneema fabric is durable and can easily handle an extended bushwack without worrying about tears or abrasions. While it's not completely waterproof, most seams are taped, and it does a pretty good job of keeping things dry. With the addition of a nylofume pack liner, my Southwest has kept my gear dry after being nearly submerged during several river trips.
It's a great pack. Since buying it, I rarely, if ever, reach for anything else. My one complaint with the pack is the lack of load-lifters, something Hyperlite has never offered as a feature on any of their packs. While most of the time I don't miss it, there has been an occasion or two when I felt they would have helped better balance the weight of my packrafting gear strapped to the top. Aside from that, I can't think of any other complaints I've ever had about the Southwest. I love this pack and look forward to taking it out every chance I get.
