Hyperlite Mountain Gear Porter 85L Backpack

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Porter 85 – Ultralight Expedition Backpack Made of Dyneema

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Porter 85 is an ultralight expedition backpack for those who need to carry a lot of gear without the backpack itself becoming unnecessarily heavy. With a full 85-liter pack volume, a weight of just 1,191 grams, and a recommended maximum pack weight of approximately 27 kg, it’s designed for long hikes, winter expeditions, packrafting, and adventures where low weight and high capacity must work in tandem.

The Porter series is based on a simple idea: a minimalist, durable backpack that you can customize yourself for your adventure. Instead of fixed exterior pockets and a multitude of details, you get a spacious main compartment, a stable carrying system, and well-thought-out attachment points for additional gear.

The backpack is made of Dyneema® Composite Hybrid with an extra-durable bottom made of Dyneema® Woven Composite 5.0. This combination provides excellent resistance to abrasion and wear while keeping the weight down. The materials are waterproof, and the construction features taped seams in high-wear areas to provide excellent protection against rain, snow, and moisture.

Two anatomically shaped, removable aluminum stays provide support and help distribute the load. Together with a heavily padded hip belt and comfortable shoulder straps, this ensures stable carrying comfort even with larger loads.

Designed for expeditions and demanding adventures

With an 85-liter capacity, there’s room for a tent, sleeping gear, food for several days, winter gear, and other bulky items. The Porter 85 is therefore particularly well-suited for long trips where you need to be self-sufficient for extended periods.

The minimalist design makes the backpack exceptionally versatile. By adding accessories such as the Porter Stuff Pocket or separate bottle holders, you can choose how much external storage you need. Four vertical daisy chains and an adjustable compression system make it easy to attach extra gear to the outside.

Features and Details

• Extremely lightweight: Only 1,191 grams in size Medium, despite a pack volume of 85 liters.
• High load capacity: Designed for loads of up to approximately 27.2 kg, making it suitable for longer expeditions with a lot of gear.
• Dyneema® Composite Hybrid: Durable and waterproof main fabric with an excellent balance of weight and durability.
• Reinforced bottom: Dyneema® Woven Composite 5.0 provides extra abrasion resistance where the backpack is often exposed to heavy wear.
• Stable carrying system: Two anatomically shaped aluminum stays help transfer the load to the hip belt. The stays can be removed if necessary.
• Ergonomic shoulder straps: Reinforced with Hardline with Dyneema® and padded with closed-cell foam and breathable spacer mesh.
• Padded hip belt: A dual-density foam construction provides support and comfort when carrying heavier loads.
• Hip belt pockets: Zipper pockets with YKK #5 zippers for small items that need to be easily accessible.
• Roll-top closure: Allows you to adjust the backpack’s volume based on your load and provides a weather-resistant seal.
• Y-shaped top strap: Helps compress the load and allows you to attach extra gear on top of the backpack.
• Four side compression straps: Make it easy to stabilize your load and keep your gear close to your back.
• Four vertical daisy chains: Provide plenty of attachment points for accessories, extra gear, and up to two ice axes.
• Attachment points on the shoulder straps: Allow you to add extra accessories.
• Internal zippered pocket: Convenient for small items and valuables.
• Integrated back panel: Foam panel that provides structure and improved comfort against your back.
• Adjustable chest strap: Elastic design with an integrated whistle.
• Taped seams: Vertical side seams and seams behind sewn-on details are taped for improved weather protection.

Smart details that make a difference on your expedition

85 liters without unnecessary weight

Large backpacks designed for expeditions often weigh several kilograms even before they’re packed. With the Porter 85, you get a very large packing volume at a weight of just 1,191 grams. This allows you to allocate a larger portion of your total weight budget to gear, food, and supplies instead of the backpack itself.

The large capacity is particularly well-suited for longer mountain hikes, winter trips with bulky gear, and packrafting—where, for example, a packraft, paddle, and life jacket need to fit.

Customize the backpack for each trip

The Porter 85 features a minimalist design without large fixed exterior pockets. Instead, you can customize the storage system with accessories and attachment systems based on how you plan to use the backpack.

The four vertical daisy chains allow you to attach a Porter Stuff Pocket, water bottle holder, or other gear. The adjustable compression straps also help keep your pack stable even when the backpack isn’t completely full.

Stable Carrying System for Heavy Loads

On longer expeditions, food, fuel, and technical gear can result in a significantly heavier load than on typical lightweight hikes. That’s why the Porter 85 features two contoured aluminum stays that provide structure and help transfer the load from the shoulders to the hips.

The padded hip belt is constructed from multiple layers of foam with varying densities for a combination of support and comfort. The shoulder straps are reinforced with Hardline with Dyneema® and feature soft padding with spacer mesh against the body.

Weather Protection for Long Hikes

Dyneema® Composite Hybrid is a waterproof material that, together with the roll-top closure and the backpack’s taped seams, provides excellent protection against rain, snow, and moisture.

The Porter 85 is water-repellent as a finished backpack, but should not be considered completely waterproof. For sensitive gear such as sleeping bags, electronics, and dry changes of clothing, we recommend waterproof stuff sacks or an internal pack liner.

Technical Specifications – Porter 85

The weight refers to the manufacturer’s average weight for size Medium. Weight may vary by size.

Pair with accessories

The Porter 85 can be customized with separate accessories from Hyperlite Mountain Gear:

• Porter Stuff Pocket: An extra exterior pocket with a volume of approximately 11 liters for items such as rain gear, extra layers, and other gear.
• Porter Water Bottle Holder: A bottle holder that attaches to the backpack’s daisy chains for quick access to water.
• Packing Bags and Packing Pods: Help organize your gear and make efficient use of the large main compartment.

Additional accessories are sold separately.

Size Guide – Hyperlite Mountain Gear Porter 85

To choose the right size for the Porter 85 , it’s your back length—not your height—that matters. The correct size is especially important when carrying a heavy load, as it helps distribute the weight between your shoulders and hips.

How to Measure Your Back Length

1. Locate the C7 vertebra: Tilt your head slightly forward and feel for the distinct vertebra at the base of your neck. This is your seventh cervical vertebra and the starting point for your measurement.
2. Measure along the spine: Ask someone to help you measure with a soft measuring tape from C7 and down along the spine’s natural curve.
3. Find the upper edge of your hip bone: Place your hands on your hips so that they rest on the iliac crests. Let your thumbs point backward toward your spine.
4. Complete the measurement: Measure down to the point where the tape measure crosses an imaginary horizontal line between your thumbs. This distance is your back length.

Size Chart

Between two sizes? If your back length falls right on the border between two sizes, Hyperlite Mountain Gear recommends choosing the larger size. For example, if your back length is 43 cm, you should choose Medium over Small.

Tip: Ask someone to help you measure. Stand relaxed and let the measuring tape follow the natural curve of your back for the best results.

For those who need plenty of packing space but want to keep the weight down

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Porter 85 is an excellent choice for long expeditions, winter hiking, packrafting, and demanding trips where large amounts of gear must be carried efficiently. With an 85-liter capacity, a stable carrying system, and durable Dyneema materials, you get a backpack that combines high capacity with a remarkably low weight.

The minimalist design and the ability to customize the external storage make the Porter 85 a versatile backpack for those who want to decide for themselves how to pack, carry, and organize their gear.