HMG Southwest 3400 Size:Large -Gear Review
Oh holy hell fire is it a problem finding the right fit of a backpack, especially for a tall 6’2” skinny 160 lbs person like myself. I have narrow shoulders and waist to boot, which is the real problem. Basically I fit in nothing. So if you are a similar shape and want to know which jacket, pants, etc. fit me, then I’m happy to share. Today’s post I’ll go into detail about my journey to the Southwest 3400 from Hyperlite Mountain Gear.
I say journey because as with cottage manufacturers, and even large manufacturers, the lead times, and the cost of the item prohibits trying things on, unless you’re surrounded by friends/people of a similar size that already own these items. If so, then I hate you, and by that, what I really mean is I am envious.
Full disclosure, when I saw the Hyperlite packs, I just absolutely wanted one. Even if I didn’t need it. I wanted to cuddle it in bed, display it on the wall, use it a bunch and develop a nice patina for it. I wanted to be in the rain and feel safe and confident my stuff would stay dry. Essentially my journey was about “I don’t need the most expensive damn pack on the market! I can find something else!...can’t I?”
My initial problem was having a tiny waist and a 21”-21.5” torso length. So I essentially would prefer a small or even maybe extra small waist belt and large/extra large/tall torso length. HMG offers customization for an extra $50 including custom sized removable waist belt. You can also get the hydration port removed, remove the hydro sleeve and lastly add an internal zippered pocket (which I think would be handy).
My other choices for myself based on fit/aesthetics were Zpacks, Gossamer Gear, ULA, Atom and that was about it. I was looking for ~2.5 lbs or less for the bag with any attachments. I wanted colorful, waterproof or very resistant. I needed a pack that could handle my xtherm long/wide pad, long quilt, larger tent, etc. so 55 liter-ish. Also, I was hoping to take this pack winter camping so it had to fit all of that puffier stuff too.
I eliminated Zpacks because they’re so ultralight that they apparently make a creaking sound and parts fray and wear out quickly, especially relating to the frame. I didn't want a noisy pack that can’t take a beating as I’m hard on my gear. They may have changed this by now, but at the time it was an issue.
ULA looked great, and I still think they’re packs would probably work. I eliminated them because I would have bought a stock pack. If it fit, I would have returned it and gotten it fully customized...which put it in the cost realm of the HMG. And I would have gotten all white XPAC material which looks like the HMG. In other words, it would have been a freudian HMG, so I should just get the HMG. If I want to carry more than 25 lbs though, I would seriously consider the ULA.
The Mariposa from Gossamer Gear...oh I actually really wanted/preferred this pack over the HMG because of all the organizational outer pockets. It also had a removable back panel pad that could serve as sit pad (multiple uses! Go Ultralight!). The bland color and overall shape just looked appealing to me. I found this pack on eBay and the guy happened to be local, so I asked if I could stop by and try it on. If it fit I would buy it. The fit was totally weird. Things dug in to me in various spots, the torso length was off. I found out that he had the stays in backwards. I flipped them around, but that didn’t alleviate the concerns. Deflated and defeated I went home.
I should say at this point that I had lots of back and forth with GG, HMG and ULA customer service. They were all exceedingly helpful. I think I had about 50 messages back and forth with HMG alone.
Having exhausted all other options that I could try on, that didn’t have a many week lead time. I bought a new HMG Southwest 3400. Other than the waist belt being almost at the end of the adjustment (a.k.a. Too big) the fit was spot on. Immediately after the pack arriving, the same pack, with a custom medium waist belt went on ebay for $100 less than retail, ugghh! The large Torso length was spot on though at least.
A full review of the HMG may come later, but if there’s one thing I want you to get out of this post, is that fit is #1. Fuck everything else. Get the fit right and go from there. In order to get the fit right you need to take your time as well. Order something if you have to, then try it on with weight. Walk around the block a few times (but try not to sweat in it so you can return it if need be).
Anything that seems “off” or awkward or not quite right...don’t hesitate, and return it and try something else. Walking back and forth in a store a few times is not enough. Buy it, bring it home and wander all over your yard for an hour.
About fit:
If new to backpacking, just remember that you’re carrying heavy shit on your back.
It’s not going to be 100% super comfortable.
Plus you’re definitely putting too much crap in there so it will be overloaded.
If you can, try to pack any pack 60% capacity, that will help you shed some weight, but don’t forget your tent!
If something doesn’t fit and the pack is still like new you can usually return/exchange it.
If that doesn’t work, these packs have great resale value on eBay, friends, or on Facebook
Torso length and waist circumference are general indicators, not necessarily hard and fast ways to fit in a pack.
My girlfriend measures into a small/medium, but a taller torso length pack actually feels better to her. You can’t know what by just reading specs online (but reading specs is a good start!)
I’m a total weirdo in terms of sizing. So I can dream of what pack I want but they will stay dreams.
I hope this was helpful to some of you. Volumes could and are written about this topic, so if you have questions please hit me up in the comments.
The one thing I recommend with this pack is seal the very bottom seam that goes around the circumference. I sealed the seam both inside and outside. Every other seam is taped already.
Love Dilley
