← Gear database

Gregory Optic 48 vs Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 40

Weight and specs compared for 2026 — and which one to choose.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 40 is the lighter option — 573 g lighter than the Gregory Optic 48 (42% less weight). If grams matter to you, that is the one to beat.
shopping_cart Check today's price on Amazon
Spec Gregory Optic 48 Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 40
Weight 1,370 g · 1.370 kg · 3.02 lb 797 g · 0.797 kg · 1.76 lb
Brand Gregory Hyperlite Mountain Gear
Category Backpack Backpack
Gregory Optic 48
1,370 g

Lightweight 48L trail pack with suspended mesh back panel.

Full details →
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 40
797 g

Bombproof DCF frameless backpack built for off-trail travel. 40L capacity with roll-top closure and durable Dyneema fabric for all-weather adventures.

Full details →

HikeLoad is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

Gregory Optic 48 vs Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 40: which should you buy?

If saving weight is your priority, the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 40 wins — at 797 g it is 573 g (42%) lighter than the Gregory Optic 48 (1,370 g). That said, the heavier option may justify the extra grams with more capacity, durability or comfort, so weigh the trade-off against how you'll use it.

See where both rank against everything else in this category on the lightest backpack page, or browse the full gear weight database.

More backpack comparisons

Gregory Optic 48 vs Gossamer Gear Elixir 20 Daypack Gregory Optic 48 vs Gossamer Gear Murmur 36 Hyperlight Backpack Gregory Optic 48 vs Salomon ADV Skin 12 Gregory Optic 48 vs Zpacks Nero Classic Ultra Backpack Gregory Optic 48 vs Zpacks Nero Classic 50L Gregory Optic 48 vs Zpacks Nero Classic Backpack