The best Hilltop Packs backpacks are not one Dyneema flagship in five colors. Hilltop Packs, sewing in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, currently sells several frameless ultralight packs that share a roll-top, mesh-pocket silhouette and then split on fabric, weight, volume math, hip-belt defaults, and price. The buying question is which pack matches your kit weight and hiking style—not which listing costs the most.
This guide covers the current U.S. backpack collection checked October 4, 2026: Raven D V4 (Dyneema), Raven ECO V4 (Ecopak EPLX200), Raven X UL (X-Pac VX21), Dirty 30 ECO, and the 24Seven Trail Backpack. We compared Hilltop Packs’ current product documentation, pack materials, listed weight, capacity, carrying design, pocket layout, customization options, pricing, and intended use. Moon Picke did not backpack with these packs. See how we evaluate and our editorial standards.
Disclosure: Moon Picke may earn a commission if you purchase through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Shop buttons use the Hilltop Packs collection affiliate URL supplied for this article. Product pages were used for specs and official photos. See our affiliate disclosure.
Pricing checked October 4, 2026. Prices and availability may change.
Quick picks
- Best overall: Raven ECO V4 — same Raven volume options as the Dyneema model, EPLX200, custom printing included, $412.50.
- Best premium / Dyneema: Raven D V4 — black 2.92 Dyneema, listed from about 19 oz, $434.50.
- Best alternative laminate: Raven X UL — VX21 X-Pac, about 28 oz, $395.50, white with black accents.
- Best smaller overnight: Dirty 30 ECO — EPLX200, listed 15–18 oz, no default hip belt.
- Best trail / everyday versatility: 24Seven Trail — 24 L internal, 15 oz, X-Pac VX21 & VX07, from $352.
Hilltop Packs backpacks compared
| Model | Best for | Capacity (as listed) | Base weight (as listed) | Material | Frame | Hip belt | Current price | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raven D V4 | Lightest full Raven in Dyneema | 44 / 48 / 54 / 59 L options (body + pockets) | From ~19 oz; 20–24 oz depending on options | 2.92 oz & 5.0 abrasion-resistant Dyneema | Frameless | 3″ padded, 1″ web, or none | $434.50 | Available |
| Raven ECO V4 | Printed Raven in recycled laminate | Same 44 / 48 / 54 / 59 L options | From ~20 oz; ~22–24 oz with padded belt | Challenge Sailcloth EPLX200 | Frameless | 3″ padded, 1″ web, or none | $412.50 | Available |
| Raven X UL | Heavier X-Pac Raven | Same 44 / 48 / 54 / 59 L options | Around 28 oz depending on options | X-Pac VX21 | Frameless | 3″ padded, 1″ web, or none | $395.50 | Available |
| Dirty 30 ECO | Lighter overnight, fewer Raven options | 30 L internal in one line; 33 L main body in another; pockets extra | 15–18 oz | EPLX200 Ecopak | Frameless | None standard; 1″ web $10 | $385 | Available |
| 24Seven Trail | Day hike / dialed overnight | 24 L internal + 5 L front + 0.5 L each side (30 L total) | 15 oz | X-Pac VX21 & VX07 | Frameless | None; 1″ can be added | $352 (White & Black) / $374 (Abstract Paint 1) | Available |
How we evaluated the best Hilltop Packs backpacks
We compared live product pages, not forum lore. Accessories in the backpack collection—sit pads, pack liners, gift cards, a $10 1″ hip belt SKU, and the $42 custom drawstring pack—are not backpack recommendations. Weights are configuration ranges as written. Capacity is reported the way Hilltop Packs writes it; we do not silently add pockets when the brand already bundled them, and we do not hide conflicts when two sentences disagree.
Hilltop Packs backpack lineup explained
The Raven V4 family is the “fully featured” frameless line: torso-specific builds, optional padded hip belts, load lifters, optional side zip pockets, optional bottom pocket, and listed volumes that already include two 1 L side pockets and a 7 L mesh front pocket. Dirty 30 ECO is a lighter, simpler overnight shape in EPLX200. 24Seven is the smallest current hiking pack, written for day hikes and backpackers with dialed kits. Everything here is frameless. Hilltop Packs lists fabric-based products under a 5-year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship; that is a warranty page, not a trail-mileage claim.
Hilltop Packs Raven D V4 — Best premium Dyneema Raven
Hilltop Packs calls this the flagship for buyers who want the lightest fully featured pack in class, in black Dyneema only (non-customized). The “D” is Dyneema: 2.92 oz fabric plus 5.0 abrasion-resistant Dyneema in the feature list.
Key specs
- URL: hilltoppacks.com/products/raven-d-v4-ultralight-backpack. Available. $434.50. No compare-at price listed.
- Volume options: 44 L (35 L body + 2×1 L sides + 7 L front), 48 L (40+1+1+7), 54 L (45+1+1+7), 59 L (50+1+1+7). Torso size does not change listed volume.
- Weight: “starts at just 19 ounces”; later “20oz–24oz depending on options.” Padded hip belt copy: “around 18–22 ounces.” Those ranges overlap; treat them as option-dependent, not one number.
- 37″ tall unrolled, 12″ wide; depth depends on liter size. Frameless. Load lifters included.
- Hilltop Packs comfort rating: 25–30 lb total trail weight. Max total trail rating: 35–40 lb. That is manufacturer guidance, not a Moon Picke carry test.
Horizontal seams are taped for increased weather resistance; vertical seams are double sewn with binding tape. That is not a claim that the entire pack is waterproof. Roll-top, mesh front pocket, and zippers (if you add side zip pockets) are water paths. Hip-belt options: 3″ removable padded (sizes from 25–30″ up to 45–55″), 1″ web, or none with loops to add a 1″ belt later. Optional sit-pad cords on the back. Made in Waynesburg, PA. Check the shop’s current lead-time page when you order; we are not inventing a wait.
Buy if you want Dyneema, will keep total trail weight in the listed comfort band, and you like a custom torso. Skip if you carry a traditional heavy kit, you want printed panels (that is the Custom D listing, currently unavailable), or you would rather spend less on VX21 or EPLX200. $434.50.
Check Current Hilltop Packs Prices
Hilltop Packs Raven ECO V4 — Best overall / recycled-laminate Raven
This is not “cheaper Dyneema.” The page names Challenge Sailcloth Ecopak EPLX200: 100% recycled polyester components, C0 DWR (no fluorocarbons), waterproof backing. Hilltop Packs says, compared with other laminated pack fabrics, EPLX200’s RUV film is more abrasion resistant, wrinkles less, and has better UV resistance. That is manufacturer comparison language. The listing is the custom-printed ECO V4 at $412.50; copy says this version includes custom printing. Side pockets, back panel, shoulder straps, and hip belts stay black; sides and front panels take the pattern.
Volume options match Raven D: 44 / 48 / 54 / 59 L with the same body-plus-pocket recipe. Weight: starts at just 20 ounces; about 22–24 oz with a padded hip belt; features also say 20–24 oz depending on options. Same taped horizontal seams, load lifters, optional side zips and bottom pocket, same 37″ × 12″ envelope, same 25–30 lb comfort / 35–40 lb max ratings as the Dyneema page. Same hip-belt menu.
Buy if you want a Raven feature set, printed fabric, and EPLX200 instead of Dyneema. Skip if you specifically want black 2.92 Dyneema or the heavier VX21 durability story on Raven X. $412.50.
Hilltop Packs Raven X UL — Best X-Pac Raven
Hilltop Packs positions Raven X for buyers who want a durable full-featured pack at a lower price and writes that if you are looking for durability, “this could be the last backpack you ever buy.” That is marketing, not a lifespan test. Fabric is heavy-duty X-Pac VX21. Color: currently only white with black accents. Volume options match the other Ravens. Weight: around 28 ounces depending on options—noticeably above the D/ECO starting ounces. Comfort rating: 25–28 lb total trail weight; max 30–35 lb. If over 25 lb, the page says consider the padded hip belt. Load lifters, ice axe loop, optional bottom stretchy pocket. Front pocket: open-air polyester mesh or closed fabric stretchy mesh. No back padding included; sit-pad cords are included. Horizontal seams taped; vertical seams double sewn with bias tape.
Buy if you want the Raven pocket/torso/belt architecture in VX21 and you accept ~28 oz. Skip if ounce-shaving is the point (D/ECO start lower) or you need printed panels (ECO). $395.50.
Explore Hilltop Packs Ultralight Backpacks
Hilltop Packs Dirty 30 ECO — Best lighter overnight without the full Raven menu
Dirty 30 is not a discounted Raven. It is a different pack: no default hip belt, EPLX200, fewer listed options, and a smaller overnight volume. Copy asks if this is the perfect three-season ultralight backpack and then lists “No hip belt, 30 liters internal, 1 liter each side pocket, and 6 liters in the front pocket for 38 liters total.” A later details block says the pack is a “33-liter pack” weighing 15–18 oz, with “Main Body 33 Liters, Side pockets 1 liter each, front pocket 6 liters for open mesh and 4 liters for closed cell mesh.” We are not picking a silent winner between 30 L and 33 L internal. Report both lines and ask the shop if the difference matters to your kit.
Includes: large front pocket, large adjustable side pockets, elastic cord on front and sides, sternum strap with whistle, daisy-chain shoulder straps, grosgrain attachment points, trekking-pole loops, load lifters, ice axe loop, bottom stretchy pocket. Torso: Small 15–17, Medium 17–19, Large 19–21. Colors listed: white, gray, black, or custom printing add-on ($39). Optional 1″ webbing hip belt $10. No back padding; sit-pad cords included. Frameless.
Buy if you want EPLX200 at 15–18 oz and you pack a lighter overnight kit without a padded belt. Skip if you need Raven’s 44–59 L option ladder, optional side zip pockets, or a 3″ padded belt as a first-party menu item. $385.
Hilltop Packs 24Seven Trail Backpack — Best small / everyday trail pack
The page does not sell this as a Raven. It is for a smaller, durable pack in X-Pac: 24 L internal, 5 L front pocket, 0.5 L each side pocket, 30 L total. “Great for every day use, day hikes, and backpackers who really have their gear dialed in.” Fabric: X-Pac VX21 & VX07. Weight: 15 oz. Single-strap roll-top language. Open mesh front pocket. No hip belt; a 1″ belt can be added. Stretchy side pockets, trekking-pole elastic, sit-pad cord. Sizes on the product: 16″, 18″, 20″, 22″ in White & Black at $352 or Abstract Paint 1 at $374. Stocked variants were all available on October 4, 2026. Color and size availability is updated weekly, the page says.
Buy if you want a 15 oz day-to-overnight bag and a dialed kit. Skip if you need 40 L-class Raven bodies or a padded hip belt out of the box. From $352.
What about the Custom Raven D V4?
Raven D V4 CUSTOM (Dyneema with custom printing) lists at $485 and was not available on October 4, 2026. Copy matches the standard D on volume, seam treatment, belt options, and load ratings, then adds pattern printing. Side pockets, back panel, straps, and belts stay black; sides and front panels print. Do not treat custom printing as a documented change in Dyneema strength. If you want print on a current Raven, the in-stock path is Raven ECO V4, not the sold-out Custom D.
Raven D vs Raven ECO vs Raven X UL: what’s the real difference?
Same volume recipe and frameless Raven architecture. Different fabrics and listed weights. D: 2.92 Dyneema, black only, from ~19 oz, $434.50. ECO: EPLX200 with print, from ~20 oz, $412.50. X: VX21, white/black, ~28 oz, $395.50, slightly lower listed max trail rating (30–35 lb vs 35–40 lb on D/ECO). There is no published Article #02 comparison on Moon Picke yet, so this is the difference in one place.
Currently unavailable: Outlaw 35 Venom
Outlaw 35 Venom is tagged coming soon / sold out at $385 without a hip belt or $395 with a 1″ belt. Copy: frameless, Venom 200 HPU, 35 L main / 3 L front / 1 L sides, 17 oz, no padded belt. It is not a Quick Pick while unavailable.
Materials, capacity, frameless design, hip belts, water
Dyneema (DCF-style composite on the D page), EPLX200 (ECO and Dirty 30), and X-Pac VX21 (Raven X) or VX21 & VX07 (24Seven) are not interchangeable words. Do not call EPLX200 “Dyneema.” Do not call every Raven waterproof. ECO fabric is described with a waterproof backing; D and X talk about taped horizontal seams for increased weather resistance. Mesh pockets, roll-tops, and added zippers still take weather. A pack liner (sold separately in the same collection) is a different product.
Capacity: Raven listings already total body plus named pockets. Dirty 30 and 24Seven spell internal and pockets separately—and Dirty 30’s 30 L vs 33 L internal lines conflict. Brands do not all measure liters the same way.
Frameless packs cut structure weight and ask you to pack a less floppy load. Hilltop Packs publishes comfort and max trail-weight bands on the Ravens; it does not publish the same band on Dirty 30 or 24Seven. Ultralight packs make the most sense when the rest of the kit is already light. A hip belt can transfer load; Hilltop Packs does not publish a “comfortable at X pounds because of the belt” number beyond those Raven ratings. 24Seven and Dirty 30 default to no belt.
How to choose among the best Hilltop Packs backpacks
- Weigh the kit you actually carry. If you live above the listed Raven comfort bands, a frameless UL pack is the wrong category.
- Pick a volume method: Raven’s bundled 44–59 L options vs Dirty 30’s ~30/33 L body vs 24Seven’s 24 L interior.
- Pick a fabric story: Dyneema (D), recycled EPLX200 (ECO / Dirty 30), or X-Pac (X / 24Seven).
- Decide hip belt: padded / 1″ / none on Ravens; add-on 1″ on Dirty 30 and 24Seven.
- Order torso from the size chart on that product. Check live lead times.
Pros and cons of Hilltop Packs backpacks
Pros: U.S. shop build, frameless weights in the teens to high 20s ounces, documented volume recipes on Ravens, real fabric differentiation, 5-year defect warranty on fabric products, torso and belt options on the Raven line, print on ECO (and Dirty 30 add-on).
Cons: Premium prices. Frameless load limits. Water resistance is seams-and-fabric, not a dry bag guarantee. Dirty 30 volume copy conflicts. Custom Dyneema Raven is unavailable. Outlaw 35 is unavailable. Lead times vary; we did not freeze a ship date.
FAQ
Are Hilltop Packs backpacks good?
They are current handmade U.S. frameless UL packs with published fabrics, volumes, and weights. “Good” depends on matching listed load bands and volume to your kit. Moon Picke did not field-test them.
Are Hilltop Packs backpacks waterproof?
No independent guarantee. ECO fabric is described with a waterproof backing. Raven pages describe taped horizontal seams for increased weather resistance. Mesh and roll-tops are not sealed dry bags.
What is the difference between Raven D and Raven ECO?
D is black 2.92 Dyneema at $434.50. ECO is printed EPLX200 at $412.50. Same listed volume options and similar feature lists; ECO starts about an ounce higher in the “starts at” line.
Raven D vs Raven X UL: what’s different?
Fabric and weight: Dyneema vs VX21, ~19–24 oz vs ~28 oz, $434.50 vs $395.50. X lists a lower max trail rating.
Are Hilltop Packs backpacks frameless?
Every backpack in this guide is listed as frameless, including Outlaw 35.
How much weight can a Raven backpack carry?
D and ECO pages: comfort 25–30 lb total trail weight, max 35–40 lb. X: comfort 25–28 lb, max 30–35 lb. Those are Hilltop Packs ratings.
What size Hilltop Packs backpack should I buy?
Use the product’s torso chart (Raven custom torso; Dirty 30 15–21″; 24Seven 16–22″). Volume is a separate choice from torso. In between torso sizes, Raven copy says use the smaller number.
Is Dyneema worth it for an ultralight backpack?
It is the premium Raven fabric and the lightest “starts at” Raven. Worth it if that material and the extra dollars matter to you. ECO and X exist because not every buyer wants Dyneema.
Where are Hilltop Packs backpacks made?
The product pages say the shop in Waynesburg, PA, USA.
Final verdict
There is no single winner among the best Hilltop Packs backpacks.
Buy Raven D if you want black Dyneema and the lightest listed Raven start weight. Buy Raven ECO if you want the Raven feature set in EPLX200 with printing. Buy Raven X UL if you want VX21 and will carry the extra ounces. Buy Dirty 30 ECO if you want a lighter EPLX200 overnight without Raven’s option ladder. Buy 24Seven if you want 24 L internal and a 15 oz day-to-dialed-overnight pack.
Skip the whole lineup if you need a framed pack for heavy traditional loads. Check torso, lead time, and hip-belt add-ons on the live collection before you pay.