The American Alpine Institute is pleased to announce the Guides Choice award winners for 2019! The Guides Choice has been a highly valued award for over 20 years, and represents the pinnacle of industry leading outdoor gear. A core group of AAI guides tests products from dozens of companies in over 16 countries and multiple continents.
The following products were recognized as Guides Choice award winners this week during the Outdoor Retailer show in Denver, Colorado.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear: Porter 4400 pack
“This pack is a game changer. Take it on an expedition or
compress it up and use it as a summit pack. This pack does it all and keeps on
ticking.” – Charlie Lane, Retail Shop Manager
Weighing a mere 40 ounces (2.5 lbs), you wouldn’t think the pack
could hold 70L of gear comfortably, but it’s pliable aluminum stays mold to
your back making it the best carrying, ultralight pack out there. But that’s
just the beginning. Updated from its first design, the Porter 4400 now boasts
taped seams and Dyneema Composite Fabric (formally Cuben Fiber), which are
stronger and more weatherproof than ever – which is essential in the Pacific
Northwest where we guide a majority of our trips.
This pack can tackle any objective thanks to well-placed
daisy chains and compression straps that make customizing it a breeze.
All you need to carry an ice axe is an accessory cord loop and a Voile strap.
While other packs have more bells and whistles, the Porter 4400 strikes the
perfect balance between accessibility and minimalism. This is truly a Guide’s
Choice award winner, and a piece of gear that no outdoors person should be
without.
It’s worth noting that this pack also comes in three other
sizes: 5400 (85L), 3400 (55L), and 2400 (40L).
This has become the preferred choice of our Guides
who live and preach the fast and light lifestyle. In tracking mode, the Mini delivers a solid 90 hours
at 10 minute intervals and up to 24 days at 30 minute intervals! On top of connecting your phone to your inReach Mini, you can also
connect compatible wrist watches. This allows you to receive and send messages,
as well as initiate an SOS from your watch – which can can be crucial if your device is not accessible.
There’s no excuse NOT to have one.
Tendon: 6mm Accessory Cord
Specifications:
Diameter (mm): 6
Weight (g/m): 23.2
Min. Strength (kN): 10
CE 1019 and EN 564 certified
Again, congratulations to all of this years winners for truly elevating what is possible in the outdoor industry! As a Guide Service, we are constantly on the lookout for products and innovations that change the way we look at mountains. Thank you to all the companies who have submitted products to our testing program. Have a great summer!