Hyperlite Mountain Gear, an ultralight gear brand based in Maine, recently released a ‘Big 3’ kit designed specifically for thru-hikers. The ‘Unbound System’ includes a 40L pack, 2-person tent, and 20-degree quilt.
“It’s been in the works for years and, like all our products, it's been on the backs of many trusted testers,” Hyperlite said in a newsletter announcing the new collection.
“Each piece of the kit was designed with consideration of the others to form a system that works together to increase efficiency, comfort, and confidence while decreasing weight, redundancy, and complexity.”
Long an innovator of lightweight packs and shelters made out of Dyneema® Composite Fabrics, Hyperlite Mountain Gear is a newcomer to backpacking quilts. It first dipped its toe into the market with the release of a 40-degree quilt this summer — and now a 20-degree quilt, as part of its Unbound System.
“To keep the chill at bay, the 20-Degree features 1000fp RDS-Certified Grey Goose Down, generously stuffed in 1.5” three-dimensional baffles for premium loft and warmth. The durable exterior shell is 7D micro-ripstop nylon for superior air permeability and compression,” Hyperlite says on its website. The ‘regular’ size of the 20-degree quilt weighs 20.10 ounces (or 1.26 pounds).
For long-distance hikers, perhaps the most interesting piece in Hyperlite’s new collection is the Unbound 40 liter pack, which weighs between 28 and 32 ounces depending on pack size.
“Efficiency is the key to happy hiking, and everything about the Unbound 40 encourages forward momentum,” Hyperlite said in a newsletter.
“The outer pockets have the right volume for the gear you want access to during the day, while the simple and spacious interior welcomes those big items that only need to come out at camp. Low-profile daisy chains allow exterior cargo hauling customization if you need it, and all-around seam taping provides superior protection against the elements, so you don’t have to scramble to keep your essentials dry.”
The last of the Big 3, the Unbound 2P Tent, weighs in just shy of 24 ounces, and features vestibules on both sides, along with 3-dimensional side walls. “You might call it forecast friendly, roomy, airy, elegant, or clever, but at the end of a long day in wild places, you’ll definitely call it ‘home,’” Hyperlite says on its website.
While Hyperlite’s Unbound Collection is undoubtedly turning heads, causing more than a few hikers to drool, commenters in online forums such as Reddit and BackpackingLight have been critical of the price point, with the 20-degree quilt costing $599, the 2P tent coming in at $699, and the 40L pack setting you back $369 — totalling $1,667. Then again, when standing on Katahdin, or whatever your personal peak or trail terminus may be, a system that works seamlessly, we all usually agree, is worth its weight in gold.
What are your thoughts on Hyperlite’s new Unbound System? Are you chomping at the bit to get it on trail? Or do you give this one a hard pass? Leave a comment below!
7 comments
Deb W
Hyperlite USED to be a made-in-America company based in Maine. Sadly as they’ve grown, instead of hiring more employees and a larger manufacturing space, they’ve outsourced out of the country. I first discovered this when I bought a phone pouch wanting to support my local New England business, and saw the made in Mexico tag on it (I think it was mexico) tag. It’s a bummer because their prices don’t reflect outsourcing. Their products are sill priced like they are paying the higher wages of Americans. I’m not against supporting the workers of other countries either. We all have to work and make money. But why not still have STRICT standards of quality? Your issue with your tent is not the only issue I’ve heard of.
Courtney
I ordered the Unbound 2 tent at the end of January, and it was delivered this week. With such a high price point, I was expecting superior quality. My experience has been anything but superior. Right out of the box, I set it up in my front yard and immediately noticed a hole in the side wall. It is small, but a hole nonetheless. In rain or with condensation it was enough to be catastrophic with a down quilt inside. Thinking that was the only issue, I contaced Hyperlite asking for a new tent immediately, which they agreed to. As I was folding the tent up to put back in the shipping box, I noticed not one, not two, not three, but FOUR places where the taped seam was pealing! Significantly pealing! It reminded me of a sticker that you put on something but the adhesive isn’t strong and sticker just pulls right off. I am in contact with Hyperlite now, and they have said that these issues are a “lemon” or one-off. I have a hard time believing that. I think this tent was manufactured quickly without any quality control in place, and I know that they aren’t making one tent at a time. They are making these in batches! That means that for anyone else who ordered this tent during their sale in January, you also might have similar issues. I recommend you check your tent thoroughly and contact Hyperlite immediately if you notice any defect. I don’t know if I’ll have them send me a new one or a refund, but I do wish I had waited for more reviews because I am certain I won’t be the only one with complaints. To end on a positive note, I do love the design of this tent. I wish it was made with quality and care.
2xx2010
I don’t know about all this guys… come on over to r/ultralight_jerk for thorough and engaging discussion on this new and invigorating information.
Aaron
Buy less things made in Mexico, support cottage companies here in America.
MICHAEL LAVINE
I love Hyperlite gear. But unfortunately, the way they price their gear shows that they are more interested in making money over providing a quality piece of gear for hikers. Their price range of their gear is not for the average person. It is priced for someone who is willing to go into debt for a year or makes more money than the middle class individual. And their gear doesn’t last 10 years. If it is used by a thru-hiker, it is likely to last three to five years if it is well cared for.
If their prices were cut in half, then they would sell out and have a back order. I completely understand that they have a superior product, much more desired product that any other outfit, and that allows them to be greedy.
If I were to be shopping for gear lets say for a hike in 2025, I would have to buy Hyperlite gear now, not use it until my 2025 hike just to get it paid off and get the rest of my supplies (money saved) before my hike. Because we all know that in the years to come, the prices of their gear is going to just go up!!
Bryan Shaffer
It’s missing a sleeping pad?
Ajay
Just got mine delivered backpack and tent this week.excited to go on my next backpacking trip soon