Hill People Gear Ute Light Review

Hill People Gear packs are famous for being very comfortable under heavy loads and super tough but far from lightweight. However, the new Light series in the HPG range is here to change it… in a way. All “true ultralight” packs are, in fact, a compromise between weight and durability – the lighter it is, the more careful you need to be on a trail. But being delicate with the gear and a “wild backcountry expedition” don’t belong to the same universe. That is precisely the area addressed by HPG and their Light series – considerably lighter weight than regular HPG packs, but still able to take a severe beating in harshest conditions. Also below the tree line, in a true wilderness, where most Ultralight packs with see-through fabric would die on a first outing. Here is where we see the Ute Light shine.

Who It Suits

Backpackers, trappers, bushcrafters, backcountry mountaineers and explorers. If you need a sturdy pack intended for a heavy load, which you want to haul in rocky or bushy terrain for multiple days – UTE Light is tailored for you.

Who It Doesn’t

That is still not an ultralight pack, so if you want to carry a minimal kit in a featherlight pack (and don’t prioritize long-term durability) – look for a different option. There are better choices for technical climbers and alpine ski-tourers who need a pack solution tailored to their sport, usually with specialized features (like avalanche kit pockets or climbing gear loops).

Specifications

Name: UTE Light
Brand: Hill People Gear
Format: Backcountry backpack
Capacity: 52L
Load capacity: 150 lbs (68kg)
Weight (just pack): 3.75 lbs
Weight (w/ Praire Belt): 4.75 lbs
Materials: 500D & 330D Cordura, YKK zippers, 7075 Alu stays
Price: 355 USD (just pack) or 472 USD with Prairie Belt

The Good

If you’re familiar with HPG packs – you’ll be immediately at home with UTE Light. It looks like a classic backcountry hauler. It is tall, with an oversized hip belt, unique harness, and two spacious side pockets. It immediately gives the impression of a serious piece of kit. The “dimensional capacity” (as HPG calls the size) is 52 liters, which is just the pack’s total geometrical capacity. The problem is – most manufacturers re-calculate that, so most packs are rated as bigger than they are. We can call it “comparative size” – HPG suggests a volume of 76 liters to compare UTE Light to classic backpacks. It’s a good size, easily big enough for a weekend hike with food and shelter and even a week-long backcountry expedition.

UTE Light is made in the USA, mostly of 300D cordura, with high-stress areas reinforced with 500D. Quality webbing, YKK zippers, and US-made hardware make it a rugged carry tool. It’s a pack that can be used and abused in the harshest environments in thick forests and snowy winter backcountry terrain. With Hill People Gear, sturdiness is the name of the game.

But the main feature of HPG is not even that toughness, but the legendary harness system, which is capable of super heavy loads. That is the foundation of HPG packs and the secret of the company’s success among backcountry enthusiasts and modern trappers. So you’ve got a one-piece ultra-wide horseshoe-shaped shoulder harness combined with a super-wide Prairie hip belt, which hugs nicely around the hips. Prairie belt has multiple molle attachment points (for pouches, a knife, or other gear) for extra versatility.

But does it even work? Absolutely! I’ve been carrying various HPG packs for over a decade, sized up to the Qui-Ya 100-liter behemoth. Long story short – this system is one of the best available for heavy hauling today. The pack’s weight is spread over the extensive area, easily twice (or more) than the contact area of traditional shoulder straps. The wide hip belt easily transfers most of the weight to the hips. This system is genius. And if you’re concerned about sweating under that wide harness… when hiking with a pack of 50+ lbs, sweating is just part of the game – it doesn’t matter what magic the straps are made of. The critical factor is the contact area between the pack (load-bearing parts) and you. The other factor is you and your strength and stamina.

The penalty for such a bomb-proof construction and overbuilt carry system is usually extra weight. Classic UTE with Prairie Belt weighs 5.7 lbs (2.6kg), and this Light one is practically a pound lighter at 4.75 lbs (2.15kg). And while not ultralight, it’s still lighter than the equivalent 70-liter mainstream pack and on the level of classic “light” packs. Sure enough, the Ultra Light category is a different story, but try to haul 60-100 lbs (or more) in a UL pack – good luck! So, that “Light” in the name makes sense for an expedition backcountry heavy-load backpack.

Organization on UTE Light is just right for me. Interestingly, this pack is not just “UTE made of thinner cordura” but has a considerably different construction. Despite being lighter, UTE Light also has a higher total volume (by about 10-12 liters) thanks to an additional big front pocket. It’s like a sawn-on HPG Pals pocket, adding another almost pound to classic UTE if installed. There’s a top pocket in the brain and an open quick-access flat pocket (perfect for map storage) between the front pouch and the main sack. Oversized side pockets come as standard on HPS backpacks, so you’ll find them here too. Bottom attachment points, top attachment straps, side compression cords, etc. – it’s a feature-rich pack that can be loaded with gear in a structured way, not just inside but on the outside as well.

Weather resistance is acceptable, but this is not a waterproof pack – so put a sealed liner inside the bag (and lid) or use a rain cover. I’m not a big fan of pack covers, but with so many attachment possibilities on the outside of the pack, a decent cover would be a great idea, as it’d also protect the gear strapped outside.

The Not So Good

As I said, it’s not a genuine ultralight pack. Yes, it’s lighter, but if you’re looking for a vast decrease in the pack’s weight (including what you carry) – there are better options than HPG. It’s as simple as this.

Only a little organization is inside and in the pack’s brain. And that saves weight. But if you’re used to small zippers, mesh pockets, and slots every here and there – it’s not the case on UTE Light.

UTE Light comes in just the one color scheme of Khaki-Ranger. With HPG, that can expand, but for now, it’s just this. Overall, it also looks different from a generic hiking pack and has a bit of military styling. So, it’s not a pack that goes unnoticed, which still can be a good conversation starter. But if you’d be going for a gray man’s look – there are better choices than HPG.

And finally, the price – HPG is not an option if you’re tight on budget. Sure, that top quality, mil-spec build, and US production can’t come cheap, but $472 (for the complete system) is a price tag that your wallet will notice. Still, even with that price tag, purchasing may be challenging as HPG is not a big-scale operation company. So, immediately sign up for email notification if your HPG pack is unavailable.

Verdict

UTE Light is undoubtedly not a pack for everyone. It’s a pack for modern trappers and explorers who need a product that won’t fail when abused and lasts for many seasons. If you haul heavy equipment, have to carry a rifle and ammo (often the case for backcountry hiking within areas with a significant population of dangerous animals), or carry a spotting scope, heavy camera gear, etc. – this is where UTE Light shines. Or you hike often below tree lines, through the wild thick forests. Yes, then this pack should be golden for you.

I’ve been hiking multiple times with my UTE Light and used it for almost three seasons in my local forest, low tree-covered mountains, and even as a hauling basecamp pack for family trips before completing this review. It’s been my most used multi-day pack for the last couple of months. It’s tough as nails and works. And after all that, it still looks untouched after seasonal cleaning. But you need to be ready to spend almost half a grand USD at a starting point. Would it be worth it? Well, only you can answer this question.