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Having been given the opportunity to attempt the TGO challenge, a two week coast-to-coast backpacking hike across Scotland, it seemed a great opportunity to give the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 55 litre rucksack a good workout. This being my first foray into the larger ultralight rucksacks, I was a little apprehensive about committing to a new bag for such a long trek. Would it be comfortable after multiple days of hiking? Would its minimalist design make packing and unpacking fiddly? I needn’t have worried. To put it simply, the pack performed amazingly well. The fact that it didn’t cause me any back or hip issues over the two weeks of walking is testament to its well-thought-out design and how it transfers the weight so effectively.

The Unbound comes in different fixed back sizes. I am 6ft tall and used the large sized bag, which I felt was a good fit. However, the hip belt straps were quite long, but this wasn’t too much of an issue being able to just tuck them away. At its maximum, I was probably carrying around 13 kg in the Unbound, having to load up on water on a particularly high-level day in Knoydart. Despite this, the rucksack was comfortable and just felt an extension of me without feeling a burden, even on steep ground. This comes down to the construction of the Unbound. The single aluminium frame transfers the weight onto the padded hip belt very effectively. Adjusting the shoulder straps and cinching in the hip belt ensures the pack sits on or just above the hip bone, helping to maintain a snug, stable fit. The padding on the shoulder straps is fairly thin on padding and if the hip belt isn’t nice a tight, I did notice the shoulder straps pulling a bit, but a quick readjustment soon alleviated this. The bag sits nicely on the back, not too high and not too wide, so if you are squeezing through some rocky scrambles, it shouldn’t cause any issues. The hip belt itself contains two large laminated zipped pockets which offer plenty of space for phones, cameras or snacks. This was a handy spot to keep my sun cream during the unseasonably prolonged sunny weather in Scotland.

Construction:

With Ultralight Outdoor Gear being one of only two retailers in the UK that stock Hyperlite products, the brand was new to me. They have only been around since 2009 however, their pedigree is in the backcountry adventures in the US. The innovative design and materials they have pioneered are well suited to long distance thru-hiking, alpine mountaineering, snow sports and even water-bound adventures. The Unbound 55 itself is made from Dyneema DCH50 material, proudly claimed to be the “World's Strongest Fibre”, and yet incredibly lightweight, making it ideal for a tough ultralight rucksack. The medium sizing weighing in at just 876g. The lumbar and bottom panel are made from stronger DCH150, adding extra strength where you need it.

The front of the bag has a large stretchy dual entry pocket perfect for stashing easily accessible items such as waterproofs. There is also a really handy stash pocket on the bottom of the bag, which perfectly fitted my sit mat, which could be pulled out with one hand without taking the bag off. Both these pockets are made from Dyneema Stretch Mesh. The side pockets are large and easily accommodate multiple items such as water bottles and trekking poles. I even attached my tent to one side, and it sat nicely in the pocket and held in place with the adjustable elasticated straps. The main pocket of the bag has one large roll-top opening, making access very easy. It also means if you’re not filling the bag, you can roll it down to take out the excess space. There is also a Y-strap on the top designed to compress your gear down if needed. It also features vertical and horizontal daisy chains along the seams, which were perfect for attaching my solar panel whilst walking. The pack is also seam-sealed, making it very water-resistant; however, during my two-week trip it didn’t rain once, which for Scotland was a miracle! The shoulder straps have one adjustable chest strap, with the clip doubling as an emergency whistle. They also have multiple loops for attaching any accessories such as a GPS unit.

Conclusion:

The route that I walked with the Unbound 55 included a variety of terrain, from multiple Munro days to long slogs along forestry tracks and tarmac roads. In all these terrains, the Unbound was comfortable, secure and exceeded my expectations. Overall, it is a very well-thought-out design, clearly made by people who understand the needs of the long-distance walker. My only slight criticism was that the white colour of the Dyneema does start to show marks or mud, however it is a very small point and definitely wouldn’t put me off this fantastic rucksack. If anything, this will be the only signs of wear this fantastically robust and sturdy pack will show.

Nick Brown
Nick has had a love of the outdoors, especially the mountains, for over 20 years. His passion has led him all around the world on many multi-day treks and mountain climbs in the greater ranges. As well as experiences in harsh environments such as the jungles of Asia and South and Central America and the vastness of the Trans-Siberian railway. A qualified Mountain Leader, he spends most of his time exploring the Scottish highlands and wild areas bagging Munros. On top of this, he enjoys trail running and rock climbing and strongly believes any outdoor experiences are good experiences - no matter what the weather, especially for mental well-being and happiness. Read more from Nick Brown