This article first appeared on TheTrek
The backpacking brand that thru-hikers know and love, Hyperlite Mountain Gear (HMG), has recently broken the mold of their tried-and-true lightweight packs with a new, frameless option: the Contour 35. This powerhouse pack is designed to carry exactly what seasoned long-distance backpackers need for safe and efficient travel whether on a thru-hike, a faspacking trip, or a leisurely day trip.
I was excited to get my hands on this pack and give it a whirl this summer.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Contour 35 At-a-Glance
MSRP: $329
Weight: 16.2 ounces | 459 grams
Materials: Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF)
Internal volume: 35L
External Volume: 6.5L
Country of Origin: Mexico
Circumstances of Use
I used this pack mainly for guiding in and around Baxter State Park in Maine during the early summer months. I put it to the test through harsh weather, rock scrambling up Katahdin, and gentle trail walks.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Contour 35 Features
Lightweight Construction
Built with HMG’s signature DCF fabric, this pack excels in durability and offers an incredible strength-to-weight ratio. The material feels rigid to the touch and, as with their other packs, is extremely abrasion-resistant. By keeping the design minimal, HMG was able to keep the total pack weight down to just over a pound.
Generous Storage Options
Though the design of this pack is simple, it doesn’t skimp on storage. The Coutour 35 features two stretch shoulder strap pockets, side water bottle pockets (each of which can accommodate up to two 1L Smartwater bottles, a stretch bottom pocket, and the traditional mesh front panel pocket with multiple lashing points.
All of this extra storage adds up to an additional 6.5L of capacity on top of the 35L internal volume.
Ergonomic Design
The Contour 35 is designed with a frameless back panel, with contoured seams to mimic back shape. The padded shoulder straps are comfortable to wear all day, and even without load lifters, they carry well.
Hip Belt Optional
This pack comes with a 1″ removable webbing hip belt, with an option to purchase a padded hipbelt with pockets for even more storage. Tough the hip belt will help keep the pack from bouncing if running or jogging, it won’t do much to distribute the load.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Contour 35 Pros
Excellent Storage
Though the main compartment is just 35L, the external storage adds up to an additional 6.5L of capacity which can help greatly on longer carries. Taking cues from other fastpacking-specific companies like Nashville Pack & Equipment by including built-in features like shoulder strap pockets and the bottom pocket are excellent additions to an already solid design.
I would be hard-pressed to use a pack that didn’t have shoulder strap pockets at this point, as I find them to be incredibly useful for storing items like snacks, my phone, a compass, my Zoleo, chapstick, sunscreen, and whatever else I need quick access to.
Feature-Rich
In addition to the excellent storage options and additional pockets, there are more features on this pack than first meet the eye. For example, the pack comes with a one-inch removable hipbelt that can help keep jostling to a minimum, and a padded hip belt with pockets can also be purchased separately.
I personally used the padded belt and found it very useful and comfortable. Another feature that I was happy to have, and which most other packs don’t, is a stiffener on the roll-top closure. This extra stiffness keeps the pack open and stable while loading, so you’re not constantly fighting with it while packing up.
Finally, there are several compression straps around the pack — on the closure, on the side pockets, and side panels — which help cinch the pack down and ensure everything is tight and secure, which is especially important if moving fast.
Durability
The Contour 35 utilizes DCH50 and DCH150 on its main panels, which are strong, tear-resistant, and highly water-resistant materials. DCH is a hybrid material made of DCF with an additional face fabric to protect it from abrasion (typically 50D or 150D polyester woven fabric) resulting in an ultralight and ultra-durable material that is ideal for packs. All seams on this pack are sealed as well, which helps retain structure and keep moisture out.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Contour 35 Cons
Odd Volume Choice
There aren’t many packs available with an internal capacity of 35 liters — and for good reason. 35L is right between what a comfortable lightweight thru-hiking pack would be (~40L) and a daypack or fastpack (~30L).
Perhaps this was a conscious choice on HMG’s part to enter an untapped market, but the result is that it ends up being a bit too large for day hikes and a bit too small for most thru-hikers — unless your kit is extremely dialed and does not include lots of voluminous items like down jackets, quilts, insulated pants, etc. And with a maximum recommended load of 25 pounds, most hikers couldn’t carry more than 2-3 days of food anyway.
Curious Closure
Instead of a Y-strap closure with a buckle, HMG has oddly chosen to use a single strap with an aluminum G-hook on the Contour 35. I suppose the argument could be made that a G-hook is more durable than a buckle, but in thousands of miles of using buckles I’ve never had an issue and they are far easier to work with, especially if dexterity is an issue in cold weather.
Having a single strap over the roll-top closure is also curious, as it does not allow for a very secure hold on anything that might be placed outside of the pack, like a foldable sleeping pad or a bear canister. Perhaps this was done for weight savings, but the utility of a Y-strap seems worth it to me.
Final Thoughts
The Countour 35 is HMG’s first foray into frameless packs, and as usual, they are making a big splash. This simple yet feature-rich pack checks many boxes for those with a dialed kit looking to go fast and light, or those who want a little extra volume for day hikes or shorter overnight adventures. Though I question some design decisions, the Contour 35 is a solid offering from one of today’s best pack manufacturers.
Check out the Contour 35 here!
Comparable Packs
Nashville Pack & Equipment Co. “The Cutaway”
- MSRP: $316 (straps sold separately)
- Weight: 13.9oz
- Capacity/max carry load: 41L/30lb
- MSRP: $190
- Weight: 21.5oz
- Capacity/max carry load: 36L/25lb
- MSRP: $240
- Weight: 14.8oz
- Capacity/max carry load: 24L (internal)/Unlisted
The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Contour 35 was donated for purpose of review
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Brandon Chase is a writer, endurance athlete, and guide based in Maine. He is a former Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State and spent nearly a decade overseas serving at embassies in Egypt, Cyprus, and Pakistan.
Along with a 98-day thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, he has summited Mt. Kilimanjaro, hiked the West Highland Way, fastpacked in the Himalayas, and trekked around New Zealand and South Africa. He also regularly competes in ultramarathons at the 50k, 50-mile, and 100-mile distances. He is a Lead Guide for Andrew Skurka Adventures and the New England Outdoor Center.