This pack was my first bid into the Ultralight community. I previously carried an improperly fitted 2014 model Osprey Exos. I will have another review up for that pack and the company.
After much research, I felt like this pack approximated what I had in the military and was pretty bombproof by all the reviews. I opted for the black pack due to the thicker weight Dyneema that is utilized vs. their white edition. The bottom is Double layered for extra abrasion protection. I’m 6’2 with a longer torso and decided on the size Tall. A minute extra weight was added with the black/tall combo.
The pack is constructed of Dyneema and is fully seam taped. After thousands of miles, some seams have been re-taped at stress points while other parts have had to be taped due to abrasion. The Junction utilizes a solid material for the bottle pockets and netting for the rear pocket. Both parts of the pack performed flawlessly. Somewhere along the PCTs Northern sections I began to get small holes where the pack straps attach to the body of the Junction. A little dental floss sewing job and some rubber cement provided a decent patch.
The Hyperlite 2400 performed so well that I bought it’s replacement and will carry it on the CDT this Summer. Below are a list of perceived pros and cons:
Pros - Highly water resistant for the majority of the life of the pack. Awesome compression straps. Padded straps are comfortable. Big hip pockets. Nothing in the way of my neck. Can reach bottles in pockets.
Cons: Pack rides low on shoulders and has caused stress in parts of my back and shoulders when heavily weighted with a big resupply and snow gear. Minimal air flow in back area. Now made in Mexico instead of the United States. The quality looks to be the same, but I prefer to buy products sewn by men and women in our country when available. The pack has turned a purple gray color due to sun bleaching. Not necessarily a con, but an observation that could be seen as negative.
Bottom Line- This pack works for me and I enjoy the technical features/fabrics that it uses. Gear is rarely one size fits all and one needs to experiment before heading out on big adventures.
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