Front view of the White Southwest 40 Pack with black straps and a triangular Hyperlite Mountain Gear logo #Color_White
Left side view of Hyperlite Mountain Gear's Southwest 40 Pack in White #Color_White
Right side view of Hyperlite Mountain Gear's Southwest 40 Pack in White #Color_White
Back view of Hyperlite Mountain Gear's Southwest 40 Pack in Black showing hip belt and straps #Color_White
Front view of the Black Southwest 40 Pack featuring a Hyperlite Mountain Gear logo #Color_Black
Left side view of Hyperlite Mountain Gear's Southwest 40 Pack in Black with a white brand logo #Color_Black
Right side view of Hyperlite Mountain Gear's Southwest 40 Pack in Black showcasing its adjustable straps #Color_Black
Back perspective of a Black Southwest 40 Pack with orange straps #Color_Black
Southwest 40 Pack with an interior collapsible compartment and handle
Detail shot of Hyperlite Mountain Gear's White Southwest 40 Pack's water reservoir and chest strap
Detail shot of Hyperlite Mountain Gear's Southwest 40 Pack featuring a blue hydration hose
Pyramid logo of Hyperlite Mountain Gear on the Southwest 40 Pack in White
Rear view of Southwest 40 backpack with checkered Dyneema back pocket
Detail shot of the zippered hip belt pocket of Hyperlite Mountain Gear's Southwest 40 Pack in White
Right side view of a female model wearing the Southwest 40 Pack in White
Left side view of a female model wearing the Southwest 40 Pack in White
Front view of a female model showcasing the Southwest 40 Pack in White
Individual carrying various items in the Southwest 40 backpack by Hyperlite Mountain Gear
Hiker wearing the Southwest 40 Pack in White
Male carrying the Black Southwest 40 Pack in Black
Detailed view of the top compression straps on the Southwest 40 Pack in White
Thru Hiker on a trail with a White Southwest 40 backpack
Detail view of the Southwest 55 Liter backpack with a blue hydration hose feature
Rear view of Southwest 55 Liter backpack with a distinctive black and white pattern
Top view of Hyperlite Mountain Gear's Southwest 70 Pack in White
Close-up of Southwest 55 backpack's interior and mesh pocket
Bearded hiker reaching the summit with the Southwest 55 backpack
Detail shot of the chest strap and buckle on Hyperlite Mountain Gear's Southwest 70 Pack in White
Individual posing with the Southwest 55 backpack in a mountainous terrain
Hyperlite Mountain Gear's Southwest 70 Pack in White on a hikers back in the canyon
Hyperlite Mountain Gear's Southwest 70 Pack in White on hikers back
Southwest 55 backpack's pocket with a smartphone for on-the-go connectivity
Detail view of the shoulder straps, sternum strap and blue hydration hose on the Southwest 55 backpack
Adventurer equipped with the Southwest 55 backpack and trekking poles traversing a sandy landscape
Female wearing the Southwest 55 backpack draped over her shoulders
Adventurer equipped with the Southwest 55 backpack alongside a mountain
Hyperlite Mountain Gear's Southwest 70 Pack in White on a hikers back in the mountains
Hiker using the Southwest 55 backpack with trekking poles on a rocky landscape
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 55 Liter backpack showcasing its unique black and white design with a logo #Color_White
Side View of the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 55 Liter backpack in Black on a white background #Color_Black
Detailed view of the Hyperlite Mountain Gear White Southwest 55 backpack's back panel with multiple strap adjustments #Color_White
Southwest 55 Liter backpack designed with contrasting black straps and buckle on white Dyneema material #Color_White
Southwest 55 backpack displayed on a white background for clear viewing #Color_White
Front View of the 55 Liter Black Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest on a white background #Color_Black
Southwest 55 Liter backpack featuring black fabric and adjustable straps #Color_Black
Back view of Hyperlite Mountain Gear's Southwest 70 Pack in Black showing hip belt and straps #Color_Black
Exterior shot of Hyperlite Mountain Gear's Southwest 70 Pack in White #Color_White
Left side view of Hyperlite Mountain Gear's Southwest 70 Pack in White #Color_White
Right side view of Hyperlite Mountain Gear's Southwest 70 Pack in White #Color_White
Back view of Hyperlite Mountain Gear's Southwest 70 Pack in White showing hip belt and straps #Color_White
Exterior shot of Hyperlite Mountain Gear's Southwest 70 Pack in Black #Color_Black
Left side view of Hyperlite Mountain Gear's Southwest 70 Pack in Black #Color_Black
Right side view of Hyperlite Mountain Gear's Southwest 70 Pack in Black #Color_Black
Rear view of the Black Southwest 55 Liter backpack highlighting the strap design #Color_Black

Southwest

Rated 4.9 out of 5
Based on 939 reviews

This pack is designed for on-trail, off-trail, and all-season environments, with solid-fabric exterior pockets to eliminate snag risk, protect stowed gear, and provide privacy when resupplying in towns.

Volume
Torso Length
Color:White
Weight: 28.1 oz
Availability: In stock, ready to ship
$349.00

How to Choose a Pack Size

Your torso length, not your height, determines your pack size. We recommend the following to determine yours:

  1. Tilt your head slightly forward to locate the bony bump at the base of your neck. (This is your 7th cervical (or C7) vertebra).
  2. Using a flexible tape measure, have someone measure starting at that spot and running down along the curve of your spine.
  3. Place your hands on your hips so you can feel your iliac crest, which serves as the “shelf” of your pelvic girdle. (It’s the first hard thing you feel when you run your fingers down from the sides of your ribcage.) Position your hands so your thumbs are reaching behind you.
  4. Have your friend finish measuring at the point where the tape crosses an imaginary line drawn between your thumbs. This distance is your torso length.
    • Extra Small (< 15" torso)
    • Small (15.0” - 17.0” torso)
    • Medium (17.0” - 19.0” torso)
    • Large (19.0” - 21.0” torso)
    • Tall (21.0”+ torso)
  5. If your measurement falls right in between sizes (for example, if you have a 17.0” torso, so you are right on the line between a Small and a Medium), we suggest you choose the larger torso size.


How to Choose a Pack Size

How to Choose a Pack Size

Your torso length, not your height, determines your pack size. We recommend the following to determine yours:

  1. Tilt your head slightly forward to locate the bony bump at the base of your neck. (This is your 7th cervical (or C7) vertebra).
  2. Using a flexible tape measure, have someone measure starting at that spot and running down along the curve of your spine.
  3. Place your hands on your hips so you can feel your iliac crest, which serves as the “shelf” of your pelvic girdle. (It’s the first hard thing you feel when you run your fingers down from the sides of your ribcage.) Position your hands so your thumbs are reaching behind you.
  4. Have your friend finish measuring at the point where the tape crosses an imaginary line drawn between your thumbs. This distance is your torso length.
    • Extra Small (< 15" torso)
    • Small (15.0” - 17.0” torso)
    • Medium (17.0” - 19.0” torso)
    • Large (19.0” - 21.0” torso)
    • Tall (21.0”+ torso)
  5. If your measurement falls right in between sizes (for example, if you have a 17.0” torso, so you are right on the line between a Small and a Medium), we suggest you choose the larger torso size.


How to Choose a Pack Size

One of our three all-purpose backpacking models, this workhorse is designed for almost any backcountry activity, from on-trail hiking to the most demanding off-trail and all-season environments. Primary features include:

  • Identical to Windrider/Junction but with solid-fabric exterior pockets
  • Two over the pocket compression straps for load security
  • D-shaped flat bottom keeps pack upright while loading/unloading
  • Roll-top closure with internal mesh sleeve & hydroport
  • White pack is 50-denier DCH fabric, Black pack is 150-denier

Product Walkthrough Video | Southwest

WHY CHOOSE THE SOUTHWEST?

A white triangle logo on a black background.

SOLID & SECURE

Three easily accessible external pockets to store and protect your gear

A white triangle logo on a black background.

DURABLE ABRASION PROTECTION

External Hardline with Dyneema® side pockets keep your gear protected and free from any unwanted snags or abrasion

A white triangle logo on a black background.

WATERPROOF MATERIALS

Pair with our Stuff Sacks for a buttoned up, nearly waterproof kit
average rating 4.9 out of 5
Based on 939 reviews
  • 5 Stars
    829 Reviews
  • 4 Stars
    96 Reviews
  • 3 Stars
    8 Reviews
  • 2 Stars
    5 Reviews
  • 1 Star
    1 Review
98% of reviewers would recommend this product to a friend
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Review posted
Reviewed by Mason
Southwest
Reviewing
Southwest
Rated 5 out of 5

55L Crushed it

I have used this pack a few times now, traveling to Europe, road trips, and finally a hike.

This did great carrying all my gear and 90% of my sons gear on a short overnight summit trip. It handled the weight great and I was able to stuff everything in there, including our pads and a slingshot haha.

I highly recommend this pack. I also have the Versa, the Stuff Pack 30, and the Daybreak 17 and use them all the time and love them.

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Reviewed by John
Verified Reviewer
Southwest
Reviewing
Southwest
Rated 5 out of 5

Amazing!!!

I purchased a South West 55 and a Versa Fanny pack, as well as several other accessories, and I have to say they are fantastic!!! I moved to a UL backpack from my tried and true Gregory Paragon68, and I haven't looked back... I use the Versa almost every weekend when I take my kids out and in conjunction with my Southwest for snacks when I backpack. It's got a little over 100 miles on them now, and I haven't had any issues. I love the lightweight and its simplicity. (I would sometimes lose things in my Paragon, once my rain gear and another time my toiletries kit, only finding I had them the whole time in my pack)

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Reviewed by Abigail D.
Verified Buyer
Southwest
Reviewing
Southwest
Rated 5 out of 5

Love the extra space!

Love this pack! Chipping away at the AT with my 55 liter Southwest. Decided to get the 70 because of the extra volume needed for winter stuff. I managed with the 55 as I carry a fairly light load but I like my possessions inside the pack. Not a lot stuffed into the outer pockets. So I treated myself to a new larger pack for next year’s adventures. Thanks for a great product.

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Reviewed by Lance M.
Verified Buyer
Southwest
Reviewing
Southwest
Rated 4 out of 5

Haven’t used it

I’ll let you know when it’s been used.

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Reviewed by John N D.
Verified Buyer
Southwest
Reviewing
Southwest
Rated 5 out of 5

The roll top is insane!

The 5 stars are provisional because I have not been able to get out with it yet but I hope to in the next few days. The size of the roll top came as a surprise. This sack reaches my waist when wide open but shrinks to half the height when the roll top is closed. I like the taped seams. They are a major reason for my choosing the Southwest 55. A friend’s recommendation was the initial stimulus. Bought for winter backpacking, given the sack’s capacity, and I have yet to work out how rolled down the top needs to be to achieve 55 litres, an Apex Thermarest drops in easily beside my down sleeping bag, leaving plenty of room for the rest of my gear on top of my sleep system.

I have been using a waterproof Crux AK47 but it lacks the range of external pockets I became used to in summer when using my Atom Packs 35 litre Atom. Also, the Crux has a design flaw. The toplifters pull the shoulder straps wider, too wide for me, and I’m fairly broad in the shoulder. The greater comfort of the Southwest was immediately noticeable and it provides those external pockets I wanted for stuff I will need during the day. I don’t expect the SW 55 to be as water resistant as the Crux but it should be good enough in most situations. And what use is a waterproof sack when it lacks external holders for damp equipment?

The friend who recommended HMG rucksacks to me has recently completed an epic 3000km hike in Scotland and she said that the one thing she would not change was her pack. That’s quite a…

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