The largest of our lightweight hiking packs, the 52L Hesper is designed to be versatile and built to go the distance. The 52L Hesper is a single compartment hiking pack designed to go the distance. It's made from UTS-coated nylon for lightweight reliability, secured by a roll-top closure and detachable lid, and an additional strap runs from the base to the lid to lift loads and provide greater compression. Stretchy front and side pockets let you store bottles and snacks outside the pack, and the detachable shoulder strap fits a 500ml soft flask (not included), too. If you use a hydration bladder, you can keep it inside and thread the hose through a port at the top of the harness. The way the shoulder strap is designed means that you can keep the mouthpiece close by without it flapping as you walk. Hespers are supported by the new HeliumAir harness our lightest to date. Its construction balances a minimal design with maximum carry capacity, and the internal frame is removable so you can cut weight and fine-tune your pack's fit to everything from day missions to thru-hikes. The hip belt can be interchanged for a different size in-store. It has two flat pockets, and the indented foam back panel doubles as a removable seat.
The largest of our lightweight hiking packs, the 52L Hesper is designed to be versatile and built to go the distance. The 52L Hesper is a single compartment hiking pack designed to go the distance. It's made from UTS-coated nylon for lightweight reliability, secured by a roll-top closure and detachable lid, and an additional strap runs from the base to the lid to lift loads and provide greater compression. Stretchy front and side pockets let you store bottles and snacks outside the pack, and the detachable shoulder strap fits a 500ml soft flask (not included), too. If you use a hydration bladder, you can keep it inside and thread the hose through a port at the top of the harness. The way the shoulder strap is designed means that you can keep the mouthpiece close by without it flapping as you walk. Hespers are supported by the new HeliumAir harness our lightest to date. Its construction balances a minimal design with maximum carry capacity, and the internal frame is removable so you can cut weight and fine-tune your pack's fit to everything from day missions to thru-hikes. The hip belt can be interchanged for a different size in-store. It has two flat pockets, and the indented foam back panel doubles as a removable seat.
Macpac Hesper 52L Hiking Backpack | Colour: Lead/Grey
The largest of our lightweight hiking packs, the 52L Hesper is designed to be versatile and built to go the distance. The 52L Hesper is a single compartment hiking pack designed to go the distance. It's made from UTS-coated nylon for lightweight reliability, secured by a roll-top closure and detachable lid, and an additional strap runs from the base to the lid to lift loads and provide greater compression. Stretchy front and side pockets let you store bottles and snacks outside the pack, and the detachable shoulder strap fits a 500ml soft flask (not included), too. If you use a hydration bladder, you can keep it inside and thread the hose through a port at the top of the harness. The way the shoulder strap is designed means that you can keep the mouthpiece close by without it flapping as you walk. Hespers are supported by the new HeliumAir harness our lightest to date. Its construction balances a minimal design with maximum carry capacity, and the internal frame is removable so you can cut weight and fine-tune your pack's fit to everything from day missions to thru-hikes. The hip belt can be interchanged for a different size in-store. It has two flat pockets, and the indented foam back panel doubles as a removable seat.
The largest of our lightweight hiking packs, the 52L Hesper is designed to be versatile and built to go the distance. The 52L Hesper is a single compartment hiking pack designed to go the distance. It's made from UTS-coated nylon for lightweight reliability, secured by a roll-top closure and detachable lid, and an additional strap runs from the base to the lid to lift loads and provide greater compression. Stretchy front and side pockets let you store bottles and snacks outside the pack, and the detachable shoulder strap fits a 500ml soft flask (not included), too. If you use a hydration bladder, you can keep it inside and thread the hose through a port at the top of the harness. The way the shoulder strap is designed means that you can keep the mouthpiece close by without it flapping as you walk. Hespers are supported by the new HeliumAir harness our lightest to date. Its construction balances a minimal design with maximum carry capacity, and the internal frame is removable so you can cut weight and fine-tune your pack's fit to everything from day missions to thru-hikes. The hip belt can be interchanged for a different size in-store. It has two flat pockets, and the indented foam back panel doubles as a removable seat.
originally posted on macpac.com.nz
Just finished walking from Cape Reinga to Auckland along the Te Araroa trail with this pack. I was very very pleased with its performance and comfort. The hip belt pockets however were useless and removing them and replacing them with one decent iPhone pocket would be so much better.
originally posted on macpac.com.nz
Light weight, lots of handy outside pockets .
originally posted on macpac.com.au
Pack OK, hip belt pockets too small
Just finished walking from Cape Reinga to Auckland along the Te Araroa trail with this pack. I was very very pleased with its performance and comfort. The hip belt pockets however were useless and removing them and replacing them with one decent iPhone pocket would be so much better.
Light weight, lots of handy outside pockets .
Pack OK, hip belt pockets too small
I've used this pack for a few trips now from fully loaded with packraft and gear for several days of camping (~16 kg) through to a 7-day hike carrying around 10 kg dropping to 5 kg at the end. The pack expands well with the hood attached and the back stretch pocket has huge capacity - great for chucking the tent in after packing up in the rain. The pack is quite noisy with the internal wire frame. I removed it and the hood for the lighter trip (the pack is around 950g without all the added bits) making it almost silent and it still seemed just as comfortable. The back panel holds its shape reasonably well with and without the frame, and didn't require too much care in packing, although still a tendency to round out a bit if tightly packed. The hip belt is very ... MoreI've used this pack for a few trips now from fully loaded with packraft and gear for several days of camping (~16 kg) through to a 7-day hike carrying around 10 kg dropping to 5 kg at the end. The pack expands well with the hood attached and the back stretch pocket has huge capacity - great for chucking the tent in after packing up in the rain. The pack is quite noisy with the internal wire frame. I removed it and the hood for the lighter trip (the pack is around 950g without all the added bits) making it almost silent and it still seemed just as comfortable. The back panel holds its shape reasonably well with and without the frame, and didn't require too much care in packing, although still a tendency to round out a bit if tightly packed. The hip belt is very comfortable for a light pack and the overall stability and design of the pack excellent. The weight transfers nicely to the hips, it pivots nicely in line with the back, and feels secure with no noticeable swing when moving fast, boulder hopping, or on steep descents.Weaknesses include the hip pocket design (I have the stretch pocket design, the zip one looked just as limiting). Too small for most phones and non-removable. Holds a snack bar OK perhaps. The supplied chest pocket I haven't found a use for yet but can be left behind and a third party one used if you had a specific function in mind. The mesh side pockets have good space in them but create a pretty wide profile if used and are vulnerable even if sitting flat. It took about half an hour bush-bashing through beech forest to get my first hole. Would be better to use a solid fabric like the main body of the pack, or not have a side pocket. Even a well cleared track will have snags. Pole/paddle storage is also difficult. The supplied attachment loop is only half way up the height of the pack and there is nothing in the bottom pocket to locate the pole end so the end result is a high tendency to twist. Even the side tension strap angles down at the back of the pack leaving nothing to secure the top end.
It’s a great lightweight pack and a good step for Macpac into the ultralight realm of hiking. There are of course several things I would change such as the waist belt pockets being too small, the random water flash pouch on the arm strap, the removability of the back cushioning and potentially adding a back compartment to the main pouch. The pack is super light though and pretty comfy but you’d be feeling it if you go close to it’s load rating due to a pretty minimal frame. The materials seem relatively durable for nylon which was a big concern when taking the pack out to Aussie conditions bush bashing but it’s held up okay.
Light and adaptable for this old fude revisiting hiking in the hills of Coromandel and Waitakere.. I removed the brain top and strapped on my tent. 2x top loop straps for attention would be great. I'd like a better system for holding 2 x 1L water bottles though the side pockets work one on the front strap would be good stretch loops didn't hold. I packed 15kgs inc tent and two sleep mats for aging bones haha. Bit more padding on the inside edge of the shoulder area woukd be great for the bony bits. Mac pack dry bags were great too. Cheers teamPs it's coming to India with me next year!
Very light and comfortable backpack, with superlight, strong and removeable frame
Awesome pack with great features which are generally only available on the high end / cottage gear spectrum ($300+)such as roll top, removable brain, removable frame and back pad and massive stretch pocket on the back and sides.
Great size for carry on hand luggage
Very lightweight and robust pack, This pack is nearly perfect with a few minor changes like a separate compartment for the water bladder and a zip on the waist belt pocket and a tie back for the lid strap that tends to fall in the front pocket and you have to start looking for it . But I can highly recommend this pack as it's very comfortable even with a fair amount of weight in it. If you had to cose between the 40 or 52L I would suggest to go for the bigger one as you can take the top lid off and that would make it into a 40L pack. Overall I think Macpac is on a winner here.
