Front view of Hyperlite Mountain Gear's Windrider 40 Pack in White

Windrider

Rated 4.8 out of 5
Based on 468 reviews

This pack is designed for on-trail, off-trail, and all-season environments, with mesh exterior pockets for content visibility, ventilation, and quick-drying of damp gear.

Volume
Torso Length
Color:White
Weight: 28.5 oz
Availability: SHIPS IN 1-2 WEEKS
$349.00

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.
    • 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.

WATCH THE VIDEO


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.
    • 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.

WATCH THE VIDEO


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 Southwest/Junction but with mesh 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

BUY IT WITH

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Front View of Hyperlite Mountain Gear's Shoulder Pocket in White Front view of Hyperlite Mountain Gear's Shoulder Pocket in Black on hiker
Shoulder Pocket

Phone / Storage
$49.00

Product Walkthrough Video | Windrider

WHY CHOOSE THE WINDRIDER?

A white triangle logo on a black background.

ULTRALIGHT ORIGINAL

Our original backpacking pack with external mesh pockets provide ample room for gear without having to open your pack and dig

A white triangle logo on a black background.

WATERPROOF MATERIALS

Pair with our Stuff Sacks for a buttoned up, nearly waterproof kit

A white triangle logo on a black background.

EXTERNAL POCKETS

Three external mesh pockets -- Makes it easy to see what's in your pockets and allows gear to dry faster
average rating 4.8 out of 5
Based on 468 reviews
  • 5 Stars
    412 Reviews
  • 4 Stars
    46 Reviews
  • 3 Stars
    4 Reviews
  • 2 Stars
    1 Review
  • 1 Star
    5 Reviews
98% of reviewers would recommend this product to a friend
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
Rate your level of experience in the backcountry.
Rated 3 out of 5
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Review posted
Reviewed by Joe V.
Verified Buyer
Windrider
Reviewing
Windrider
Age Range
45 - 54
What activities did you use this product for?
  • Backpacking
  • Day Hiking
  • Other
What size pack did you order?
Medium
Rated 5 out of 5

4th HMG Pack

Ordered for my wife...

Our 5th pack from HMG. We also own a tarp, phone cases, and fanny packs. It is safe to say we trust their gear.

My wife wanted the 40L windrider to replace her 55L Junction. She loves it!

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Rated 5 out of 5
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Review posted
Reviewed by Michelle P.
Verified Reviewer
Windrider
Reviewing
Windrider
Age Range
35 - 44
What activities did you use this product for?
  • Backpacking
  • Thru Hiking
What size pack did you order?
Medium
Rated 5 out of 5

I don’t know how a backpacker uses a mainstream pack

Love this pack!!

I admit, this is also the only pack I’ve used for backpacking/thru/section hiking… I went straight for the good stuff offthebat.

But having used this pack, I just can’t fathom how awkward, heavy, and inconvenient a typical, conventional pack from a mainstream outdoor equipment store must be.

By rejecting all of the typical pack “features”, it gains SO much practicality.

The only thing I wish it had would be load lifting straps. My first trip with it chaffed my collar bones pretty good. I’ve been testing out mods since then, and found that the over-the-top strap that connects just above both shoulder straps can be re-routed through the daisy chains on the frknt of each shoulder strap to act like load lifters and shift the weight from my collar bones to the tops of my shoulders. It’s a little janky, and requires a quick adjustment to prevent lopsidedness every time I put the pack on, but it’s a significant improvement without adding any weight.

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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 3 out of 5
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Review posted
Reviewed by Yair
Verified Reviewer
Windrider 70
Reviewing
Windrider 70
Age Range
55 - 64
What activities did you use this product for?
  • Backpacking
  • Alpine/Ice Climbing
  • Packrafting/Paddle
  • Skiing/Snowboarding
What size pack did you order?
Large
Rated 5 out of 5

Been a while and to many places, still works great

purchased the original version ( the 4400) quite a few years back- used extensively every year for multiple multi-day trips in all seasons in many countries- and can carry loads of gear comfortably and with confidence this pack will last the journey. Great Gear, a great investment for the long term!

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Rated 5 out of 5
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Review posted
Reviewed by Robert
Windrider 55
Reviewing
Windrider 55
Rated 5 out of 5

5 Stars

A perfect ultralight backpack with great capacity.

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Review posted
Reviewed by Paul D.
Verified Buyer
Windrider 55
Reviewing
Windrider 55
Age Range
55 - 64
What activities did you use this product for?
  • Backpacking
What size pack did you order?
Medium
Rated 5 out of 5

Great Pack

Fit was excellent, Very light yet durable. 4 day trip was perfect.

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Rated 4 out of 5
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