ABOUT THE High Above Venture 3D Hip Pack
At first glance, the High Above Venture 3D drips in attention-to-detail and high-end craftsmanship. Constructed from Challenge UltraWeave 400X outer fabric with a 210D Nylon Ripstop liner, the pack balances bombproof durability with a clean, modern aesthetic. High Above states this material is 5 times more tear resistant and 3 times more abrasion resistant while being half the weight of the original Venture pack.
This pack features a total of 6 pockets. Inside there is 1 zippered pocket with a key lanyard and two stretch pockets. On the strap wings, you will find another two small pockets on the outside that work great for easy access to a small tool or snacks. On the inside of the pack, there is also a dedicated phone sleeve that is zipper-free for quick access. Additionally, the straps now have padding, aiding in comfort when riding.
The waist adjustment straps have been flipped in orientation, so you now pull them into your body to tighten, making for a more natural feel. Both the rear flap and waist belt receive a magnetic Fidlock buckle that is extremely stout without being obtrusive on rides.
The big story here is the 3D printed lumbar padding. High Above worked with Carbon 3D, the brand behind that outrageously expensive Specialized Power Pro saddle. This 3D-printed material is designed to act like open cell foam, but offers more options to customize shape and structure. The lattice shaped structure they landed on after dozens of revisions offers the breathability of a mesh but durability and comfort of a foam based structure.
High Above is offering the Venture 3D Hip Pack only in the black colorway tested, with a retail price of $200.
THE DIRT
Having been converted to a vest-style pack for the majority of my rides – and mainly High Above’s excellent Supernatural Vest – it was going to take something special to get me to throw on a hip pack. For shorter rides on my home trails, the Venture 3D allowed me to take all my essentials including a shock pump for the testing I have been doing recently. While the first ride was admittedly a bit uncomfortable coming from the Supernatural vest, it proved to be more stable and comfortable compared to their Lookout hip pack.
With more time in the pack, it started to fade into the background of my rides. I really liked the dedicated phone pocket and external strap pocket for my trail tool. The padded straps aided in the overall comfort of the pack, letting me cinch things down a little harder without discomfort. The Fidlock buckles are as easy to look at as they are to operate, and for sure are my favorite closure system on the market.
Talking about the star of the show – the Carbon 3D printed lumbar pad – it was extremely comfortable. It had enough stretch in the material to mold to my back shape without dancing around. It offered improved cooling and airflow compared to a traditional soft pad, but wasn’t revolutionary. The center channel between the pads helped to reduce the overall contact patch on my back, improving airflow but crucially not sacrificing stability or comfort. The material also had a nice bonus of being quite grippy when interfacing with my shirts, helping to lock it in place.
Using this on morning rides I was able to stuff my light jacket in there with no issues, even with a gross number of snacks and tools packed. Even when seemingly overloaded, the pack had a small profile and stayed close to my body when tightened down. There was ample room for snacks to keep me out on the trails for a good portion of the day, provided I had a decent size bottle on my bike. That’s perhaps my only criticism with this hip pack – there’s no provision to carry water in a bladder or bottle. An optional bottle carrying add-on would be much appreciated, but the additional weight may cause issues with stability.
I have not had to test its durability thus far, but just by touching the material you can tell it is ready for many seasons of extreme abuse. You would have to really mess up to ruin this pack!
How Does It Compare?
When comparing build quality to other brands on the market, High Above sticks out as the leader. Comparing this pack to their Lookout – another pack I have had for a while – the additions of the 3D printed lumbar pads as well as the belt pads go a long way in offering more comfort for my body shape. The quality and construction are similar, but with a few more feature refinements. I also prefer the flap style top as it allows you to stuff a jacket in the pack with more ease.
The Wolf’s Last Word
If you are looking for a comfortable feature rich pack the High Above Venture 3D is one not to pass up. While you do pay a premium it is a price you will only have to pay once, this pack will for sure outlive your bike! 
Price: $200
Website: highabove.net
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