review of HMG windrider 3400 on outdoorgearlab

[sherpa]

https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/revi...ckpack/hyperlite-mountain-gear-windrider-3400

shortly before joining this forum i recall brousing a thread where someone was (i think) deciding between the 2400 & 3400...

the above review has some good photos of the 3400 - it is rarely made clear but please note that the 3400 is EXACTLY the same dimensions as the 2400 - its just taller. personally i would suspect if full it makes it less stable than the 2400 unless you pack a sleeping bag or quilt in the “extension”.

i have a 2400 and 4400 bought when the exchange rates were far healthier prior to the brexit vote.....

 

[Chris2901]

I agree.Referring to HMG´s homepage the dimensions of the 2400-4400 series do grow a little bit,but most of the volume is gained by the extra height.I really love my 2400 but am not convinced by the higher volumes.That´why I ended up with my custom Atompacks The Mo.

 

[Piiber Teravhammas]

Yes, the 4400 series packs are wider (as the packing pods are also in wider format https://www.hyperlitemountaingear.com/pods.html#product_tabs_specs ).

I have used my 3400 Southwest on 2 trips and had to carry my beer sack on top few times and it was ok. Also, the centre pocket is HUGE.

 

[Ken T.]

A non flattering review. Not surprised.

 

[Jmws]

After much hesitation I plumped for the 4400 as my winter pack. (Replacing my osprey aether 70).

The 4400 is enormous! I could literally use it as an emergency bivy! That said I am very impressed with it. It carries really well (my winter load is around 10-12kg) and despite the small hipbelt pockets (I have a couple of treadlite pockets over them) I would highly recommend it.

I am seriously considering going for the 3400 as my summer/3 season bag. It’s slightly wider at the top than the 2400 and might well replace the 4400 if I can get my base weight lower. However I’m still deliberating whether to go completely frameless and trying out the mld prophet that everyone rates.

Like @sherpa I ordered mine when exchange rates were better and during the sale which allowed for postage and made the import and handling lottery a little easier to swallow.

 

[hillwalker66]

Yes, the 4400 series packs are wider (as the packing pods are also in wider format https://www.hyperlitemountaingear.com/pods.html#product_tabs_specs ).

I have used my 3400 Southwest on 2 trips and had to carry my beer sack on top few times and it was ok. Also, the centre pocket is HUGE.

Like the sound of the ‘beer’ sack. I love my real ales, but carrying can be a pain. Usually carry a nice single malt in a platy bladder.

 

[Piiber Teravhammas]

I think I read about "beer sack" on this forum.
I use old Karrimor "dry" bag. Ofcourse I prefer canned beer but the choice of craft beer in cans is poor and available in bigger towns only.
If I take glass bottled beer, the beer sack becomes really necessary, You never know how the bottle cap can chew through gear. It made a really nasty job on my Exped Thunder's aluminium stay (it wasn't fatal tho).