Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest Sustainability Report

Built from Dyneema Woven Composite fabric, the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest is exceptionally tough and tear-resistant. Its simple construction has few failure points. For durability-focused ultralight hikers, it’s a standout.

Choosing durable outdoor gear is perhaps the most effective way to reduce environmental impact—the longer it lasts, the less it needs to be produced. Our proprietary longevity rating evaluates overall build quality based on factors such as materials, fabric denier, component durability (including zippers and toggles), real-world performance as reported by our field testers, and our experiences with the brand. Overall, we feel strongly that reducing overall consumption is a cornerstone of sustainability.

The Southwest is PFAS free. Most Hyperlite products do not require a durable water-repellent treatment since they are made of Dyneema, which is inherently waterproof. When we reached out to Hyperlite, the brand informed us that it sources only PFAS-compliant materials.

The DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish is a product’s direct defense against outside moisture, and commonly contains PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These synthetic compounds, known as "forever chemicals,” are found in a range of gear categories, from jackets to footwear. They resist water, oil, and heat exceptionally well, making them ideal for outdoor use, but their nearly indestructible nature also means that they take an extremely long time to degrade in nature, if at all. PFAS can eventually end up in everything from soil to drinking water and have been linked to a range of health issues.

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest does not use any recycled materials. We have not seen any recycled materials in the Hyperlite Mountain Gear products Better Trail has reviewed, and the brand lags behind others in that metric. That said, all Dyneema fabric Hyperlite uses is bio-based and derived from wood and pulp-industry waste, offering a 90% lower carbon footprint than conventional ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).

Outdoor gear can be made partly or entirely from recycled materials, the most common being nylon, polyester, wool, and down. Some products include a single recycled component or a partially recycled fabric, while others are 100% recycled (generally excluding accessories like zippers, Velcro, toggles, etc.). For our sustainability ratings, we evaluate the amount of recycled materials in a particular product and assign points accordingly.

Hyperlite does not incorporate Bluesign-approved materials into any of its products, including the Southwest.

Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile certification system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A Bluesign-approved material indicates that it has undergone a rigorous vetting process based on the criteria above. A Bluesign Product goes the next mile, containing at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and at least 20% Bluesign-approved accessories.

Hyperlite does not participate in a responsible manufacturing accreditation program like Fair Trade Certified (FTC) or Fair Labor Association (FLA).

This criterion evaluates a brand's commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing its environmental impact throughout the production process. Responsible manufacturing is most commonly demonstrated through certifications and membership in programs such as Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accreditation of Production, and the Fair Labor Association. We also recognize brands that prioritize local production, such as those that manufacture primarily in the United States or Europe, to reduce carbon emissions, maintain better oversight of working conditions, and comply with strict social and environmental regulations.

Hyperlite doesn’t package its products in recycled or reduced packaging.

Packaging can add significant waste to an outdoor gear purchase and often ends up in landfills. Many brands are using recycled packaging and/or making efforts to reduce packaging altogether. For example, they may use a certain percentage of recycled cardboard or make efforts to use less plastic or paper across their packaging operation. In some cases, brands also use Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, which helps to ensure sustainable sourcing of forest materials.

Hyperlite offers free repair services for its backpacks and shelters throughout the products’ lifetime. Its most common repairs include patching, zipper replacements, hardware replacements, and seam fixes. The brand does not typically repair accessories. While repair services are free, customers are responsible for shipping costs. Occasionally, Hyperlite will recommend a do-it-yourself repair for minor abrasions, in which case it may offer to send repair patches.

Repair services extend the lifespan of outdoor gear and reduce overall consumption. Some brands offer comprehensive repair programs that can fix a wide range of issues, while others have more limited capabilities. If a brand's warranty policy only covers replacement, rather than repair, these programs usually do not meet this criterion.

Hyperlite does not offer resale or recycling services. In general, small brands don’t have the resources or inventory to stock a used gear resale or recycling service.

Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation for longer and out of landfills. The most common form is a trade-in program, where consumers can exchange items for store credit, which is then resold. Some brands accept products back for recycling at the end of their life, thereby reducing waste. Occasionally, some do both.

Like many small brands, Hyperlite does not track its greenhouse gas emissions. (Small brands often do not have the capacity to track their carbon footprint.)

This criterion evaluates whether this brand measures its greenhouse gas emissions, along with its commitment to reduction and transparency in reporting. Typically, we require brands to follow established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. Most companies use the widely recognized scope categorization system for measuring brand emissions. Those who earn the most points in this category have emissions reduction goals verified by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), a global organization that helps companies set greenhouse gas reduction targets in line with the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C. To verify their goals through SBTi, companies undergo a rigorous assessment process and continual follow-up to ensure consistent progress towards achieving their targets.

Hyperlite is a small brand with limited capacity and does not publish an annual impact report outlining its sustainability progress.

An impact report is an important step toward transparency and accountability on the sustainability front. These reports vary in form but generally cover topics such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions tracking, waste and water usage, supply chain analysis, and packaging efforts. For our sustainability ratings, we evaluate this criterion based on the depth and quality of the information provided in the report, and how often it is produced. Some brands produce their own impact report, while others are published by their parent company. In practice, we’ve found that reports produced by individual brands include more detailed information about their sustainability efforts.