Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear BMG 105 Backpack

[expedition]

The bigger the payload, the more important the pack’s suspension—and the BMG is the monster truck of the fleet. This fully-featured, 105-liter giant swallows everything required (and then some) for a multiday winter trip, and ably supports massive loads. “I was as comfortable as one could possibly be carrying 70 pounds,” says one trail-building tester.

Credit the Hardwave framesheet, which delivers outstanding lateral rigidity, and a removable horizontal stay behind the hipbelt that helps load transfer. “The trim hipbelt allows great maneuverability, especially when I was carrying chain saws and other tools,” says our tester. Gripes: The hipbelt buckle is too small and the fat packbag shape forces hikers to lean forward while walking. $350; 5 lbs. 3 oz.; 105 liters; mountainhardwear.com