Since I began hiking and camping as a kid, I have always carried a lot of stuff with me. Even on day hikes, it wasn’t uncommon for me to bring a 25L to 32L pack, stuffed to the brim. Over the years, though, I have trimmed the fat out of my packs. I have been able to scale back their size, even going as small as a lumbar bag for shorter jaunts on the trail.
Last December, Grayl fully immersed itself in the world of lumbar bags with its Mission EXP Hip Pack. Part of its Carry Project (which also includes backpacks and daypacks), the EXP lineup focuses on accessibility and adaptability. The packs address these needs through organization and modularity. Not many sub-300-cubic-inch packs let you bring a tent without hampering functionality.
I have been testing the 4.5L version of this hip pack since January. Though it has a couple of quirks, it’s the closest a lumbar bag has come to checking off all the boxes I need it to.
In short: The Grayl Mission EXP 4.5L ($140) is a hip pack with tactical flair. It has a Velcro panel for attaching patches, or G Mod pouches, and numerous pockets and compartments. It’s easily adjustable and has the Mission EXP line’s Bottlelock Tie-Down System, allowing you to confidently strap bottles, tents, or extra layers to the bottom. Day hikers, bikers, ski tourers, and anyone who appreciates a good lumbar pack should check this one out.
Check out GearJunkie’s guide to the Best Fanny Packs and the Best Mountain Biking Hip Packs.
- Materials: 210D, 500D, and 1,000D Bluesign-approved coated nylon
- Capacity: 274 cu. in. (internal)
- Dimensions: 6.75” x 12.5” x 4.75”
- Weight: 1.4 lbs.
- Waist belt: up to 54”
- Warranty: 10 years
Pros
- Made almost entirely of Bluesign-approved coated nylon
- All the MOLLE and expansion options
- Unless you load it with rocks, it’s not big enough to get heavy
- Works as a sling pack or hip pack
Cons
- BottleDrop pockets are slightly tight for some bottles
- Not water bladder compatible
Grayl Mission EXP 4.5L Hip Pack Review
Design & Features
The Mission EXP 4.5L is almost entirely made of Bluesign-approved coated nylon. It has waterproof zippers and can be expanded in several ways. From the top of the main compartment to the front, it has MOLLE webbing for lashing. Down the belt, there is a series of pockets for easy access and quick storage.
Additionally, there are two foldable and storable BottleDrop pockets, load management straps, and straps on the bottom for a raincoat, hammock, solo tent, and beyond.
You can also stick modular pouches, Grayl calls “G Mods,” to the Velcro-covered face of the EXP lumbar pack. These offer more versatile storage options if you need more pockets/compartments.
The Mission EXP Hip Pack comes with a 10-year warranty, which, I’ll be honest, is wicked generous for a textile product. However, considering the pack is made from 500D and 1000D Bluesign-approved coated nylon (with a 210D liner), the Mission EXP packs should last for many years of use and abuse.
At $140, it is a higher price point compared to other packs on GearJunkie’s guides to the Best Fanny Packs and the Best Mountain Biking Hip Packs. Between both of those guides, there are only three hip packs that exceed the Mission EXP’s price. It also isn’t compatible with a water bladder, which many of those other hip packs are.
First Impressions
If you’re considering a pack like this, don’t scoff at the 274-cubic-inch capacity of the main compartment. Embrace the insane amount of MOLLE webbing and all the lashing points on this pack. Between the pockets, MOLLE straps, and G Mod attachments, this hip pack can store a deceptively large load.
This pack also allows you to choose where you store your things. Many of the images and videos about Grayl’s EXP line show its GeoPress or UltraPress purifier bottles strapped to the “BottleLock Tie-Down System,” which pairs grippy material with two ample load straps. But that can be used for anything from extra layers to water bottles and purifiers.
However, flanking each side of the main body of the bag are two BottleDrop pockets that fit any of those bottles as well. Those pockets can also be used for a rain jacket, collapsible trekking poles, and beyond.
My plan all along was to store my Eno SkyLite Hammock with the Bottlelock Tie-Down System. I wanted the EXP 4.5L to be that sleek pack I could sling over my shoulder, or around my waist, that I could run down to the river and have myself a little overnight with. So, that’s what it became.
In the Field
The EXP 4.5L quickly took on a dual purpose for me. Being winter, I felt encouraged to look for a new solo cooking setup. In my mind, I would use the main cavity of the 4.5 to carry a cookpot, a sleeping bag liner, and a few other widgets. I settled on a Klymit Nest Sleeping Bag Liner and the Fire Maple Petrel Ultralight G2 Pot. Both items filled the main pocket nicely. They set the tone for the first few outings I had with the EXP 4.5.
Grayl also sent me its 24-ounce GeoPress Purifier. It fit well in either of the BottleDrop pockets or strapped to the bottom, which I did in urban settings. That said, the 24-ounce bottle took a little coaxing to get into the side pockets when the pack is fully loaded.
The front pocket is great for a first-aid kit, spare batteries, and a pouch of small EDC tools I swap from pack to pack. I used the waistbelt pockets for earbuds and a headlamp.
During his testing, GearJunkie editor Will Brendza also used those side pockets for ski straps, bike tools, dog treats, and car keys. The ample storage options lend this pack well to a multitude of different adventures.
Once it got warmer outside, I started using the 4.5 for hikes and overnighters where I could pull out SkyLite hammock and relax for a while. In this situation, I used the main compartment to store a couple of cold ones, my swim trunks, and my pack towel. After all, it’s summertime and the living is easy.
Grayl Mission EXP 4.5L Hip Pack Review: In Conclusion
For some of us, letting go of all the extras we carry around with us could be a hard hill to climb. As someone who went from carrying a pack that was 1,500 cubic inches on average to one that was less than a third of that was a bit of a challenge. But, through organizing and adapting, I did it and couldn’t be happier. This pack, with its ample storage options, made that transition easier.
If you spend a lot of time outdoors or anywhere where you need to carry a handful of essentials, accessibility, adaptability, and organization are paramount to your day. So is keeping the bulk down. You want to be able to navigate through your day without being burdened by a heavy load or a disorganized pack.
If this all sounds appealing to you, the Mission EXP 4.5L Hip Pack is a great alternative to wearing a full backpack. It’s a versatile little lumbar pack that can store a surprising amount of gear and essentials without getting cluttered or weighing you down.
