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 930 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:Black
Weight: 33.9 oz
Availability: SHIPS IN 1-2 WEEKS
$399.00

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 930 reviews
  • 5 Stars
    823 Reviews
  • 4 Stars
    95 Reviews
  • 3 Stars
    7 Reviews
  • 2 Stars
    4 Reviews
  • 1 Star
    1 Review
99% of reviewers would recommend this product to a friend
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Review posted
Reviewed by Kyle G.
Verified Buyer
Southwest
Reviewing
Southwest
Rated 5 out of 5

Lightweight pack can carry the burden

Great fabric, strong, fixed straps. I am hiking AT and switched from heavy. 6lb osprey to a 1.5 lb hyperlite. Worthy upgrade.

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Review posted
Reviewed by Utah A.T. 2.
Verified Reviewer
Southwest 70
Reviewing
Southwest 70
Age Range
65+
What activities did you use this product for?
  • Backpacking
What size pack did you order?
Medium
Rated 5 out of 5

Works for me

I purchased this pack to help me transition from traditional backpacking to lightweight backpacking. As I purchase more lightweight equipment and develop lighter weight skills, I think this pack will help me through it. I'm older now and need to reduce weight in order to continue to backpack. I just had it out for 5 days with a 40-pound total weight. It was comfortable but I would not want to go heavier, 30 pounds would be better. I enjoy its simple design and generous pockets. On my other packs, when I load the main compartment, the outside pockets are hard to load and zip up. The main back pocket on the Southwest is convenient for easy access to anything I needed on the trail.

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How was your pack fit?
Rated 0 on a scale of minus 2 to 2, where minus 2 is Too Small, 0 is Just Right and 2 is Too Big
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Rated 4 out of 5
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Review posted
Reviewed by Patrick H.
Verified Buyer
Southwest 55
Reviewing
Southwest 55
Age Range
55 - 64
What activities did you use this product for?
  • Backpacking
  • Thru Hiking
What size pack did you order?
Large
Rated 5 out of 5

Beat expectations

Tremendous pack, should have done this years ago.

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Rated 4 out of 5
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Review posted
Reviewed by Hamish B.
Verified Buyer
Southwest 55
Reviewing
Southwest 55
Age Range
18 - 24
What activities did you use this product for?
  • Backpacking
  • Thru Hiking
What size pack did you order?
Large
Rated 5 out of 5

Best pack I have ever used

Absolutely perfect

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Rated 5 out of 5
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Review posted
Reviewed by Alan G.
Verified Buyer
Southwest 40
Reviewing
Southwest 40
Age Range
65+
What activities did you use this product for?
  • Backpacking
  • Day Hiking
What size pack did you order?
Large
Rated 5 out of 5

Keep on packing

I wanted a somewhat smaller pack,for my summer weight gear. Wanted to try the black. My other pack is the white southwest 55l I use in winter. Both great packs.

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Rated 0 on a scale of minus 2 to 2, where minus 2 is Too Small, 0 is Just Right and 2 is Too Big
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Rated 4 out of 5
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