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Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 40L Backpack vs Hyperlite Mountain Gear Windrider 40

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

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 40L Backpack is the lighter option — 3 g lighter than the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Windrider 40 (0% less weight). If grams matter to you, that is the one to beat.
Spec Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 40L Backpack Hyperlite Mountain Gear Windrider 40
Weight 841 g · 0.841 kg · 1.85 lb 844 g · 0.844 kg · 1.86 lb
Brand Hyperlite Mountain Gear Hyperlite Mountain Gear
Category Backpack Backpack
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 40L Backpack
841 g

Fully waterproof Dyneema Composite Hybrid pack with aluminum stays and foam back panel. Built for off-trail use in harsh conditions. 29.7 oz.

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Hyperlite Mountain Gear Windrider 40
844 g

100% waterproof Dyneema pack with sewn-through back panel and internal frame stay. 40L volume, three exterior mesh pockets for wet gear.

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Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 40L Backpack vs Hyperlite Mountain Gear Windrider 40: which should you buy?

If saving weight is your priority, the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 40L Backpack wins — at 841 g it is 3 g (0%) lighter than the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Windrider 40 (844 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.

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