THE UNBOUND V2: ROLAND MOTT’S REVIEW ON A DETAILED APPROACH TO A FINER LIFE

Words and Photos by Roland Mott @rolandmott

There are certain people in the world who find satisfaction in the details, a sense of joy in the little things that for most go unnoticed. The play of sunset glow dancing on the surface of flowing water, the clean edge of a freshly sharpened blade, the subtle scent of desert sage carried on a cool evening breeze, the intention behind a well-designed product, or the quality of a well-crafted piece of machinery. I am one of these individuals gifted with the beautiful curse of attention. One who obsesses over every detail and seeks perfection in every system.

I’ve spent 20 years guiding across multiple disciplines in the backcountry. A certified AMGA Instructor, Swift Water Rescue, WFR, Leave No Trace Master Educator, blah blah, you know the deal. Beyond guiding, I’ve worked in outdoor education as a certification educator for Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics and as the Wilderness Director for an experiential education program at a Colorado high school called Senior Field Studies. I’ve also worked extensively in the outdoor industry for brands like Patagonia, North Face, Mountain Hardwear, Gore, and others. All to say - I’ve seen all aspects of product design, development, manufacturing, and A LOT of real-world application. 

I’ve been working with the Unbound collection since the prototype of the first pack and tent hit the ground. I’ve put them through the wringer, dragging them through desert canyons, torrential downpour in dense rainforest, rugged coastlines, high alpine, and I’ve loved my Unbound every minute of it! So when the R+D team at Hyperlite reached out to see if I would test the updated design of the Unbound pack, I didn’t hesitate. 

I’m not what people would refer to as an easy-to-please customer when it comes to outdoor gear. With that said, I’ve been beyond impressed and satisfied with the original Unbound pack. It’s durable, comfortable, has useful features, and nothing else - just what I want in a pack. 

I deeply honor the craft of intentionality and appreciate the drive for continual innovation and evolution. Though I, along with all other purists, struggle with changes in products for the sake of simply providing something new and different to be consumed. So you can say I started this journey with a more than skeptical approach. What was running through my mind was, How could they possibly improve this pack, and more honestly, what have they done to complicate or make it worse?

I hauled the prototype across the granite-littered majesty of the Sierra range, and along the coastline of northern California before I gave the R+D team a lengthy and obnoxiously detailed rundown of what I thought. Overall, the changes to the pack were beneficial, but there were a few seemingly superfluous alterations. They took my info and got back to work. When they sent me the final product, I headed into the volcanic wonderland of the Cascades to see if they listened to anything I said. Turns out, they had a keen ear! 

Here’s what I have to say about my experience with the new Unbound pack. 

In summary: Almost everything about the updated Unbound feels lighter, thinner, more minimal, and more svelte than its predecessor. The Dyneema is substantially more supple and lightweight, the seams are less bulky, and the daisy chains are noticeably thinner. Outside of the updated Dyneema composite, the changes made were minimal. Obsessive refinements that allow this pack to operate at peak performance within the holy trinity of weight, durability, and functionality. 

I was at first very skeptical of how much lighter and thinner the pack-body fabric felt. As we all know, durability is usually the sacrificial lamb of going lighter. This initial concern was put to rest when I learned that the new Dyneema composite, although it’s 25% lighter and much more supple, is 5x more tear-resistant and 10x more abrasion-resistant. Turns out, sometimes you can eat your cake and have it too. 

Here’s the nitty-gritty of what they updated, what they didn’t, and why it was worth doing:

What remained unchanged: There are no major changes to the shape, design, or pockets on this pack. That’s good news. Like my grandpa always said: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.  It packs well, carries well, is balanced, and has plentiful pockets. The two front stretch pockets provide you ample space for intentional items you want quick access to, or you can shove them full of overflow crap, depending on your astrological sign. The mesh pocket on the bottom of the pack is one of my most appreciated features. Wet muddy footprint or rainfly, stanky socks, quick access rain gear storage, beef jerky that needs tenderizing. You name it, this bottom pocket is indispensable. Shoulder straps continue their tenure as reliable and comfortable bearers of your beloved burden.

What’s been refined: This is why I love Hyperlite - their attention to detail is superb, and they place their energy in making obsessive refinements instead of adding flashy and unnecessary features. This allows them to continue to create gear that focuses on durability, minimalism, and function- what we all truly desire. The updates to this pack are a prime example of this dedication to detail. 

As all good things do, let’s start from the bottom up. 

Back Pad: They changed the size and shape of the lower back pad - decreasing the size, making it more rectangular instead of square. I didn’t notice a huge difference in the way it carried or comfort, but I do prefer the larger back pad even though it’s a little more sweaty. I think it distributes weight a little more broadly and evenly along the lower back. This is the only change I feel undecided on. Years and miles will be the ultimate judge. 

Hip Belt: Changes to the hip belt were minor but beneficial. Construction, carry, and comfort are unchanged, but they did alter the size of the hipbelt pocket, adding volume and giving it a longer and slimmer profile. I found this to be beneficial in fitting a smartphone and jerky sticks in that pocket. And say goodbye to the classic black/white grid pattern on the hip belt, side pockets, and shoulder straps, as they have been replaced with a sleeker solid black. 

Side Pockets: They incorporated thicker body fabric to the bottom of the side pockets to increase durability where the pockets meet the ground. They also added drain holes to the side pockets because no one likes a side-pocket soup when it’s raining or your Smart bottle blows out after 3,000 miles. They added an angle on the side pocket to make accessing gear or a water bottle easier while the pack is on. They also incorporated a new pull tab design to tighten the top of the side pocket, which allows you to do it with one hand. This replaced an old design that was constantly breaking on me with the original Unbound. 

Side Body: The daisy chain along the side body is significantly thinner and lighter weight; is this a good thing? Time will tell. In a flash of brilliance, the addition of a removable clip at the top of the bungee that allows you to strap larger items to the side body was incorporated. They also included a loop and bungee attachment for an ice axe. This is a great addition, making the pack more versatile for climbers and PCT peeps in those early snowy sections. Also a great option for carrying stowed-away hiking poles or a hands-free umbrella. 

Another notable difference is the addition of an extra aluminum stay in the frame. I found this helpful when hauling heavier loads in the 55-liter. 

That concludes the exhaustive list of changes/upgrades to the new Unbound pack. A lighter, stronger pack with detailed refinements to make the experience of getting out more seamless. 

When I think of having an ideal pack - I want something that is lightweight, doesn't have unnecessary features, can take an absolute flogging, is comfortable to carry for long stretches of time over varying terrain, and that I don’t need to stress over when foul weather moves in. In my experience, the Unbound packs strike a wonderful balance between being simple and streamlined while having enough useful features that I have options on how I pack and store my gear. They carry comfortably on long hauls, and the obsessive attention to detail of the features equates to a seamless experience when I’m in the field abusing them. This is a pack I would recommend for anyone who is backpacking and loves having an abundance of exterior options for stowing gear.