Mill Project is a joint partner


The Mill Project is a joint partnership project between Portland Headshot, a brand of Peter Greeno Photography, and the Pepperell Mill Campus, redeveloping Biddefords historic mill campus. Region: The Maine Highlands That was my stress relief. For those who run hot, this lack of airflow might be an issue. 70 liters | from 1129g | Load up to 27kg | 150D Dyneema, 30 liters | 414g | Load up to 9kg | Woven Dyneema. We find it incredibly exciting to see small businesses like Hyperlite grow so quickly. And since the release of the Southwest line back in 2015, the newer Hyperlite Junctionwhich comes in 2400 and 3400 capacitiesmarries the Southwest and Windrider designs with an exterior pocket that is solid Dyneema on the sides and mesh in the middle. a To start, the larger 3400 Windrider brings the capacity up to a 55-liter equivalent, making it much more viable for multi-day backpacking trips without the most minimalist of gear.

If not now, when? Its the kind of perspective you get when you look out at the world from the top of the mountain. While the shoulder straps were initially a bit wide for me, they became noticeably snugger once they softened. Theres such a great trail network in Maine, Mike says. It was a voice that was calling him to Maine. poles hyperlite dcf With the help of material from some big league American sailboats. Its what motivated Mike St. Pierre to find a better way to get out and experience places that are among the most special anywhere. Pepperell Mill Campus, CONTACT US | 2 Main St., Suite 17-301-E, Biddeford, ME 04005 | (207) 387-4429 | info@pepperellmillcampus.com. Were definitely not a cottage manufacturer anymore, said Mike, when I asked him about the companys growth plans. It didnt make a whole lot of sense to me.. I would try to get out to the mountains, the Adirondacks and up into Maine as often as possible, Mike explains. Hyperlite Mountain Gears goal is straightforwarddevelop gear that enables their customers to increase their speed, distance, comfort and efficiency while in the backcountry. But uses and budgets vary, and the ideal A pack specialist through and through, Osprey is known for their fully featured and comfort-oriented designs for everything from day hiking to week-long backpacking trips. Family friendly Please subscribe to the availability on the product page below and you will receive an email once it will be in the stock. Way better products coming out of the Ukraine and elsewhere. At 2 pounds 6.2 ounces for a size small, the Eja 38 is a couple ounces heavier than the Hyperlite but offers impressive carrying comfort and features for the weight. That said, Hyperlite did include a hole at the bottom of all three pockets, allowing them to drain water. In a historic textile mill that had seen better days, and was starting to see them again. As entre orders continued to be called out in the kitchen, the call of the mountains would only get stronger. After a brief moment of panic, I tore open the Velcro top to find my expensive camera gear completely dry. 1.6 oz.) No, but theyre a friendly bunch. The Granite Gear is an excellent budget pick, but we give the overall edge to the Southwest for its similar feature set, light weight, and surprising amount of comfort on the trail. Dyneema Composite Fabrics are why we started Hyperlite Mountain Gear almost a decade ago. 6.2 oz.). From thoroughly-testing the variants of DCF fabrics available combined with critical feedback from world-class athletes, ambassadors, and weekend warriors, our experienced designers and craftspeople understand the technical nuances that are achievable with this technology. Except for a few lifestyle companies, manyof the well-established ultralight backpacking companies have becomemedium-sized businesses whove off-shored their manufacturing because the labor is less expensive. From the time I was little, my grandparents had a place there, Mike offers. .eb-button { color: #fff; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px; border: 1px solid #8d8457; width: 194px; padding: 15px 0; text-align: center; background: #8d8457; font-family: Vans-Bold,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-size: .75rem; text-decoration: none; display: block; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; float:left; }. sacks hyperlite The two zippered pockets are water-treated for added insurance against the elements, and I especially love the generous size: one pocket easily swallowed my GPS device, cell phone, handwarmers, and snacks. It is one the easiest ways to get outdoors for people of all experience levels, and simply put, any time spent on the trail has a way of soothing the Dont undo your bootlaces until you have seen the river. The Dyneema and roll-top closure had done an exemplary job of keeping out every droplet of moisture. That and the hands-on shaping of the future of outdoor gear. Product successfully added to your shopping cart, The world's lightest and most durable camera case.Weight: 77g / 106gnew stock. Its no wonder Hyperlites packs have a cult-like following among thru-hikers. Chronicle's Coast of Maine: A Biddeford Comeback, Southern Maines Banded Horn Brewing booming, expanding yet again, Redevelopment of Pepperell Mill complex boosts Biddefords image, Think Tank expands co-working concept to Biddeford, Developers propose downtown hotel, restaurant in Biddeford mill, Portland Pie Company Cozies up to Biddeford's Banded Horn Brewing With Location #7. Not enough laborers in Maine to keep up with the demand! On one particularly frigid day of hiking in the Whistler alpine, we were pelted with rain and sleet in near-freezing conditions. To see how it stacks up to the competition, see our articles on the best backpacking packsand ultralight backpacks. OSPREY-PACKS: Backpacking Pack Sale! I am looking to have a custom made hiking backpack. The sternum straps, on the other hand, have been harder to tailor. Share your adventure. You could also meet Mike on Maines most challenging stretches of the Appalachian Trail or as he walks into work at the restored and revitalized Pepperell Mill in Biddeford. That said, the Lumina's 30-denier silnylon body and sides arent as robust (or waterproof) as the Hyperlite's 50-denier Dyneema, and we also found that the Southwest was able to handle a 30-pound load more comfortably. Like so many of Maines original thinkers before him, Mike wouldnt just come up with an idea; he would make it happen with his own hands. We also believe in the value of domestic, American manufacturing. The Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Southwest is offered in four different sizes (small, medium, large, and tall), and I opted for the medium based on torso length. Not enough skilled workers in Maine to keep up with demand. He also knew it was time to take the next step with Hyperlite and move the enterprise out of his New York apartment and up to Maine. Unlike the mesh of the Windriders outer storage, however, the Southwests pockets are made with Dyneema-based Hardline for added durability, which also means that items stuffed here wont dry as well or as quickly as they would in mesh. No duplication of photos, maps, or text without permission. Especially the voice that came from further north and deeper into the serenity Mike St. Pierre craved. 14 oz.Fabric: Dyneema (50D & 150D)Capacities: 40, 55, 70LWhat we like: Impressive carrying capabilities in a sub-2-pound package.What we dont: Expensive, especially given the limited feature set and lack of organization.See the Hyperlite 2400 Southwest. They started in Maine, source all of their materials from the U.S., and are a Maine company committed to making local products that will be used throughout the world. r Or, later, in the family garage in Kennebunkport where he handmade the prototypes for his Hyperlite packs and tents. Many of their high-capacity haulers check in Its still dark when Tosch Roy and his sister Zoe arrive at the Mt. Your email address will not be published. Meet Mike St. Pierre, CEO/founder of Hyperlite Mountain Gear, makers of high-tech ultralight backpacks and tents hand-crafted in Maine. Weatherproof. Hard to justify their high prices for the Mexican labor/quality that the founder denigrates in your story. It took a few trips to break in the stiff shoulder straps, but theyve become comfortable and feel adequately cushioned despite initially digging in underneath my armpit. Last but not least, there are other interesting pack options within Hyperlite Mountain Gears lineup. In my mind, the small addition of hipbelt pockets transforms the Southwest from ultralight hauler into a more fully-featured backpacking pack. Not Us. h As soon as I donned the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Southwest, I was struck by its comfortable design and fit. Our community for knowledge, gear, and transformational backcountry experiences, Sawyer Micro Squeeze Water Filtration System, Platy 2.0L Ultralight Collapsible Water Bottle. If you do not receive a message, your phone number might be registered in the Do Not Disturb Registry. The trails and waterways of Maine connect pine-wooded forests and mountain peaks, to swift rivers and craggy coasts. People spend so much time buying and managing gear, and then suffering under the weight of it, that theyre actually less likely to get out there onto the trail. If you espouse the benefits of ultralight backpacking, this is big news, because it means that HMG has the financial backing and wherewithal to bring ultralight backpacking gear to a bigger audience than any other UL gear manufacturer. So there he was, chef and climber, Mike St. Pierre, on the knife-edge asking: If not me, who? All Rights Reserved. Despite its feathery feel and thin materials, the pack proved very durable throughout rigorous testing. Hyperlite Mountain Geardesigns and manufacturesall of itsgear in Maine (USA), because we want to control the quality to a higher standard. In speaking with Mike,I was impressed by the companys commitment to the town of Biddeford, the local community where it decided to set up shop. Maine. +91. As someone who snacks often, Im a sucker for sizable hipbelt pockets, and the Southwests easily fit the bill. I tried on a couple of their packs they had stuffed, sitting in their foyer. You could walk for months and months. GOSSAMER-GEAR: Take 15% Off all Gossamer Gear Backpacks, Tents, Tarps, Trekking Poles and Accessories with Coupon Code "SECTIONHIKER22". For our customers, that translates to more comfort and agility on the trail and in the mountains, which ultimately means more fun, greater safety, and the potential for longer, more ambitious trips. Thanks and we appreciate your support! But other than size and the optional beefier material, all models have identical construction, organization, features, and design. His first stop was the family garage in Kennebunkport. Maine-based Hyperlite Mountain Gear leads the charge in utilizing Dyneema, and we were eager to test their 2400 Southwest, a 40-liter pack made for rugged terrain. TREAD LABS INSOLES: As good as custom orthotics at a fraction of the price. Hyperlite Mountain Gear manufactures stripped down, ultralight gear in a re-purposed, turn-of-the-century textile mill in Biddeford, Maine. Dyneema is a hot ticket in ultralight gear, and for good reason: its one of the strongest materials in the world relative to its weight, resists moisture well, and is incredibly light. The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwests 1-pound-14-ounce weight is noteworthy for a couple of reasons. Activities: Water recreation, hiking, sightseeing, dining, wildlife watching, family friendly. Im in that area all the time and had no idea it was even there. Tag @hyperlite_mountain_gear to be featured! One things certain: Youd have to travel a long way to find an outdoor enthusiast more enthusiastic. Hyperlite Mountain Gear transitioned from Mike St. Pierres garage straight to the Pepperell Mill Campus. In terms of materials, Zpacks uses similar 50-denier Dyneema in the body, meaning the pack is similarly waterproof and durable. Lets talk about those items that dont exist yet! However, I find that womens-specific packs from companies like Osprey are slightly better options for women with longer torsos (but not necessarily wider shoulders). Below we outline our experiences with the Southwest. Read more about us. I ran into a ranger and she stopped me and asked where I was going. The perfect piece of gear is when you forget about it and just be in the moment., Moments of inspiration continue to happen on a daily basis inside the Biddeford headquarters of Hyperlite Mountain Gear. We do not try to build the absolute lightest products. Do they have a storefront you can visit? Volume: 70L | Load capacity: up to 27kg | Weight: 1111gNEW STOCK COMING SOONPlease subscribe to the availability on the product page below and you will receive an email once it will be in the stock. Following a few years in the high-end restaurant industry in New York City, I moved to Maine permanently in 2009 to start Hyperlite Mountain Gear in what I thought was an ideal East Coast location for an outdoor gear company. Id just call Sam in support and tell him youd like to visit. Not many packs can match the ultra-low weight of the 2400 Southwest without being overly compromised, but Ospreys Lumina 45 (andmen's Levity) stands out in this respect. Depending on the seller, most products ship free in the United States on orders of $50 or more. I had nine meters of it shipped to my apartment in New York City. Comment *document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "aafcb5f7468f08580dc85d8add339b86" );document.getElementById("je705695a8").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); BACKCOUNTRY.COM: Get 15% Off Your First Order. Suffice to say, that the company has a lot of new products coming out that leverage the light weight and durability of cuben fiber. The HMG factory floor is really an impressive operation to visit and Id encourage you to swing by and check it out if youre ever in the area. If youre thinking about buying gear that weve reviewed on Switchback Travel, you can help support us in the process. 40 liters + external | from 848g white, 916g black | Load up to 18kg | 50D/150D DyneemaNEW STOCK, 55 liters + external | from 902g white, 987g black | Load up to 18kg | 50D/150D DyneemaNEW STOCK, 55 liters + external | 939g | Load up to 18kg | 50D Dyneema. The rugged outdoors. Lets find you the right gear for your next adventure. Newly refurbished, the mill is an incubator for entrepreneur-owned businesses committed to manufacturing products in Maine. Nor are the mill and Biddeford the sole proprietors of a reimagined future for Main Street Maine. Just click on any of the seller links above, and if you make a purchase, we receive a small percentage of the transaction. New Customer Discount. Hiking in the Grand Canyon hasalwaysfascinated me since I read Colin Fletchers The Man Who Walked Through Time, the book whichinspired me to try backpacking years ago. Even during long days on the trail with up to 30 pounds of weight (the packs maximum capacity is 40 pounds), Ive experienced no hotspots or discomfort. 40liters | from853g | Load up to 18kg | 50D/150D DyneemaNEW STOCK COMING SOONPlease subscribe to the availability on the product page below and you will receive an email once it will be in the stock. Gone are the days when backpacking consisted of strapping on a huge external frame and lumbering through the forest with an aching body. Our team boasts business leaders, entrepreneurs, explorers and industry veteranspeople who share a common vision of continuous improvement and a dedication to outdoor adventure. We utilize high-tech, space age materials, also made in the USA, to produce products that weigh a fraction of the amount of traditional backpacking gear. Simple. Not waterproof. Theres no need be bent under a load of 40 or 50 pounds when youre out on the trail. Im happy they are expanding. Its exciting to be a part of, and to get to bring it into the fold here in the midst of the resurgence of the old textile mills of Biddeford . The main compartment is totally waterproof, even when faced with flood-like conditions. windrider