Porter

Porter 40L in Black

Great backpack, but it has room for improvement.

I debated in exchanging this backpack for one of the more traditional backpacks. But I'll keep it because it does have a lot of creative options to adapt it to your needs and I want to get into skiing in a couple of years. However, the only thing I would change (that I cannot do) is to add a small section of the black daisy chains on each side towards the lower back and in that way you can attach side pockets. I wish Hyperlite had attachable side pockets (hint, hint). The big porter stuff pocket that goes in front, for example is great and very useful. But the side pockets are game changers for convenience and I need them. Speaking about convenience, I am still trying to figure out how to attach a water bladder inside since it does not have hose openings which I know it was done on purpose to protect it from the water. But I don't have pockets for water bottles. I did buy the bottle holder but I hate to have bouncing items on the outside of my backpack. Ironically, ZPacks sells side pockets so I may adapt those. Oh and at the same time, I'll attach a bearikade outside in vertical form. Still trying to figure out that though. The horizontal bearcan on top does not work for me. Speaking of the bearikade, the inside of the porter is not big enough to support the bear canister vertically. I mean, it can go inside, but the diameter of it is bigger than the bottom of the bag. With my prior ZPacks, I hiked the JMT and TRT with the bear can inside using the same backpack. But I had to place it on top of my jacket because the bearcan has sharp edges and it was tearing apart a bit the backpack. I had to add duct tape. So I don't want to go through the same problem with the Porter even though I want to have the option just in case. Overall the Porter is good but it could be better.

Porter 55 L

Very Good