Hyperlite Prism + ergonomics

anyone run this combo? Does the tool carry work well with ergos? I had read a few reviews in the past that suggested that the pocket only works well with grivel tools.

just curious. Pics appreciated

They work with nomics, so if the handle is whats different it should be fine. That being said they don't work well with less curved tools or with a hammer/adze which is super limiting. The ice pack is still way better.

Evan Gerrywrote:

They work with nomics, so if the handle is whats different it should be fine. That being said they don't work well with less curved tools or with a hammer/adze which is super limiting. The ice pack is still way better.

What makes you say the ice pack is way better? Pretty close to pulling the trigger on one of the two (or an osprey mutant, or an arc FL 40, or a touring pack, or or or...) and looking for a reason to go with one over the other. Mostly going to be used ice cragging and my current 22L pack is pain in the ass small, and the next step up is a 70L.

The ice pack is pretty much better than the prism at nearly everything the prism tries to do, and a better price. First off, the ice tool carry on the prism only works with tech tools with no more than a mini hammer. Full size hammers or adzes just don't fit, and tech tools still can flop out as there aren't any straps or toggles to keep them in. There's a separate loop for a straight shaft mountain ax, but other packs already do both without. I don't really like brains on climbing packs so I took mine off the prism, I prefer the sewn in pouch inside the ice pack. With the brain off though, hyperlite didn't add a storm flap for the main closure, so the pack fills with spindrift, which is super sucky and plenty of other brands do this well. The cinch cord on the collar also stinks, its bulky p-cord that bunches a bit and the toggle is just a plastic cord lock- lots of other manufacturers are using better cord with quick release pulls. The side pockets are also pretty useless and only really accommodate wands (if you use them) but even still, with the pack full its impossible to get anything into them like a water bottle or probe/shovel handle, say. The crampon carry on the prism works fine, so its 6's with the ice pack. Lastly the ice pack has two internal stays instead of one and I think it carries a heavy load better. Did I mention the pack fills with snow with the brain off?

I'm also pretty biased against the prism because I warrantied mine since the grey fabric for the expandable collar started delaminating white plasticky stuff after barely a season of use. It also had sloppy tape application (ends peeling) and lots of frayed and fuzzy stitches where all the fabric panels are sewn on to the pack. I have an og usa made ice pack that's 8 years old that i use for everything and is still in good shape. I think the best hyperlite designs are still their original concept of a dyneema tube with a roll top closure, without sewing all kinds of features and fabric panels on to it. yea the ice pack is less sexy than the prism but they did it right the first time. I'll also plug here that the mountain hardwear alpine light pack does everything the prism wants to do, but better and for way less $. It also has better back support and load lifters, which I like a lot.

Anyway to address your comment, if you're going ice cragging, absolutely do not blow >400 bones on the prism, get a mutant or something comfortable made of nylon

Evan makes great points and I think the ice pack is a better pack overall but I do like my prism for alpine climbs. That's my primary use for it. 

Reasons I like the prism more than the ice pack:

• I personally like having the brain. I like a place for my small items that is easily accessible. 
• I think the crampon carry is slightly easier and more secure than the ice pack's version. And it can be used for other things if you don't have crampons with you. 
• I carry pickets here in the NW and I really like the side pockets. They support the picket so I don't have to worry about it falling out. 

Things I don't like so much about it:

• The tool carry isn't great. Like Evan said, it really only works on technical tools. Carries my nomics and quarks fine, anything less curved will fall out.
• Wish the side pockets were slightly taller and looser. But I disagree with Evan, even with the pack full, I can get my picket, or tent poles, or shovel handle in there. 
• Wish the brain was more spacious. 
• The cinch cord for the collar isn't great, like Evan says. 

All these things are related to alpine climbs. If you're just cragging, the ice pack is superior. 

I did not and would not pay full price for the prism. Got mine gently used and it has held up for several seasons of alpine climbs and cragging. 

Evan Gerrywrote:

The ice pack is pretty much better than the prism at nearly everything the prism tries to do, and a better price. First off, the ice tool carry on the prism only works with tech tools with no more than a mini hammer. Full size hammers or adzes just don't fit, and tech tools still can flop out as there aren't any straps or toggles to keep them in. There's a separate loop for a straight shaft mountain ax, but other packs already do both without. I don't really like brains on climbing packs so I took mine off the prism, I prefer the sewn in pouch inside the ice pack. With the brain off though, hyperlite didn't add a storm flap for the main closure, so the pack fills with spindrift, which is super sucky and plenty of other brands do this well. The cinch cord on the collar also stinks, its bulky p-cord that bunches a bit and the toggle is just a plastic cord lock- lots of other manufacturers are using better cord with quick release pulls. The side pockets are also pretty useless and only really accommodate wands (if you use them) but even still, with the pack full its impossible to get anything into them like a water bottle or probe/shovel handle, say. The crampon carry on the prism works fine, so its 6's with the ice pack. Lastly the ice pack has two internal stays instead of one and I think it carries a heavy load better. Did I mention the pack fills with snow with the brain off?

I'm also pretty biased against the prism because I warrantied mine since the grey fabric for the expandable collar started delaminating white plasticky stuff after barely a season of use. It also had sloppy tape application (ends peeling) and lots of frayed and fuzzy stitches where all the fabric panels are sewn on to the pack. I have an og usa made ice pack that's 8 years old that i use for everything and is still in good shape. I think the best hyperlite designs are still their original concept of a dyneema tube with a roll top closure, without sewing all kinds of features and fabric panels on to it. yea the ice pack is less sexy than the prism but they did it right the first time. I'll also plug here that the mountain hardwear alpine light pack does everything the prism wants to do, but better and for way less $. It also has better back support and load lifters, which I like a lot.

Anyway to address your comment, if you're going ice cragging, absolutely do not blow >400 bones on the prism, get a mutant or something comfortable made of nylon

Thanks a ton for this - lots of info I didn’t know and reinforced what I had already thought. 

No way I’m paying full price on any of the above - the HMG is just under a mutant would be at MSRP. Think I might see if I can get hands on with either of them, but will likely go with a mutant or alpine light for the time being. Wish they still made the alpine light 35.

drew Awrote:

Evan makes great points and I think the ice pack is a better pack overall but I do like my prism for alpine climbs. That's my primary use for it. 

Reasons I like the prism more than the ice pack:

• I personally like having the brain. I like a place for my small items that is easily accessible. 
• I think the crampon carry is slightly easier and more secure than the ice pack's version. And it can be used for other things if you don't have crampons with you. 
• I carry pickets here in the NW and I really like the side pockets. They support the picket so I don't have to worry about it falling out. 

Things I don't like so much about it:

• The tool carry isn't great. Like Evan said, it really only works on technical tools. Carries my nomics and quarks fine, anything less curved will fall out.
• Wish the side pockets were slightly taller and looser. But I disagree with Evan, even with the pack full, I can get my picket, or tent poles, or shovel handle in there. 
• Wish the brain was more spacious. 
• The cinch cord for the collar isn't great, like Evan says. 

All these things are related to alpine climbs. If you're just cragging, the ice pack is superior. 

I did not and would not pay full price for the prism. Got mine gently used and it has held up for several seasons of alpine climbs and cragging. 

Also great info - thanks a ton. I definitely have some more comparison shopping to do I think. 

Save 50% and get a Cold Cold World Chernobyl. 

It's not reviewed against the HMG stuff because it's not a new product. But, it was the best pack when it came out, and tons of people still use their originals and buy new ones. It's essentially the legacy of Wild Things, Macpac and Karrimor packs, which were the true climbing packs.

https://www.mountainproject.com/forum/topic/125584336/price-drop-50l-mh-alpine-light-backpack

This pack looks pretty sweet. I was thinking about buying it but I have enough packs. 

Thanks all for the conversation. Much appreciate the opinions. To offer more info on the question. I have a MH alpine lite 35 and 50. I like them very much, as many in this thread have called out, they are very well made packs and carry very well. They tick almost every single box in my want list,.

Except one: I have a high point on one of my collarbones from a break many years ago. It hits in so many packs and rubs the wrong way, Sometimes causing numbness down the left arm and pain (which can kinda be scary in the backcountry since it can be an indicator of a heart attack).

I have chassed comfort and been through many, many packs for many activities based on this (ski airbag packs are the worst since the trigger cable runs right over the high point).

My hyperlite porter is the most comfortable pack I have ever had since the collarbone break. And hence the consideration of the prism if it carried at all like my porter.

But frankly, this conversation has triggered considering going back to an ortho to see if it can be addressed medically.

Thanks for all the insight.

Noah Lwrote:

Thanks a ton for this - lots of info I didn’t know and reinforced what I had already thought. 

No way I’m paying full price on any of the above - the HMG is just under a mutant would be at MSRP. Think I might see if I can get hands on with either of them, but will likely go with a mutant or alpine light for the time being. Wish they still made the alpine light 35.

Huge thread necro for anyone looking at it down the line - I bought the mutant on a good sale, it's super meh. It's a fine pack but just a lot of straps, zippers, etc. Carries heavy loads well and you can strip off the brain and some of the straps, but still a lot of faff. Feels small for ~40L and the tool bungees are in a weird spot. Honestly wouldn't recommend unless you know it's what you want.

Picked up a MEC tour 32 from a friend for cheap a few weeks ago and have taken it out a few times. Looking forward to giving it a shot this winter. Long story short it's a 30L ski touring pack that expands another 10L with a huge collar. Front (shovel/probe/saw or in the summer, layers) and back (full pack interior) access, small zip compartment (1-2 nalgenes) over a roll top so you're not getting into the whole pack every time, little pockets for the straps and tool attachments so they're not hanging in the way. Plus it sits high on your back and is comfortable to look up with a helmet. Seems like it'll be great, excited to use it for some longer alpine climbs too, since it compresses nicely when it's not fully loaded up. Only complaint is I wish it was a bit more weatherproof. If it sucks for ice climbing I'm replacing it with something from MHW, ME, Exped, or Cilogear.

I’m 6’3 and love the tall size. Works well with cassin tools. Simple and bulletproof, too expensive, but the tall was the best fitting pack for me.

Hyperlite products blow ass now. I slipped and landed on my back several miles from the car and the bag literally exploded. Had to carry everything out in my arms. Quality is shit since they changed manufacturing 

Maybe try to find a “Made in USA” HMG?