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Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 40L vs Zpacks Nero Classic Ultra Backpack

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

Zpacks Nero Classic Ultra Backpack is the lighter option — 507 g lighter than the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 40L (64% less weight). If grams matter to you, that is the one to beat.
Spec Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 40L Zpacks Nero Classic Ultra Backpack
Weight 796 g · 0.796 kg · 1.75 lb 289 g · 0.289 kg · 0.64 lb
Brand Hyperlite Mountain Gear Zpacks
Category Backpack Backpack
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 40L
796 g

Ultralight 40L pack in Dyneema Composite Fabric with roll-top closure, hip belt pockets, and a structured back panel for comfort on demanding trails.

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Zpacks Nero Classic Ultra Backpack
289 g

Frameless ultralight backpack made from Dyneema Composite Fabric. Minimalist design for SUL hikers. Top-loading with roll-top closure.

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Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 40L vs Zpacks Nero Classic Ultra Backpack: which should you buy?

If saving weight is your priority, the Zpacks Nero Classic Ultra Backpack wins — at 289 g it is 507 g (64%) lighter than the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 40L (796 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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