AMG 105L Backpack for heavy-load alpine missions
What Our Gearhead® Experts Are Saying:
"The AMG 105L is my choice for serious alpine expeditions. The padded hipbelt and aluminum frame make heavy loads feel manageable, and the thoughtfully designed pockets keep my gear organized and accessible—even when the pack is maxed out."
For alpine expeditions and mountaineering adventures where we carry it all, the Mountain Hardwear AMG 105L Backpack is purpose-built to handle the heaviest loads. Its multidensity padded hipbelt and shoulder straps, paired with a frame-integrated pivoting hipbelt, deliver exceptional comfort and efficient weight transfer, even on the most grueling ascents.
Designed to perform in harsh environments, the pack’s technical fabric combines lightweight durability with a rugged 840-denier coated base. A-frame and diagonal ski carries, multiple lash points, and deep side pockets accommodate everything from skis to crampons, while the oversized front pocket stashes avalanche tools for quick access. Additional features like reflective accents and an expandable lid ensure this pack is as versatile as it is capable.
Details
- Expedition-grade pack for mountaineering and heavy-load adventures
- 105L capacity handles gear for multi-day or extended alpine trips
- Aluminum frame integrates with pivoting hipbelt for dynamic comfort
- Rugged nylon fabrics resist abrasion on rough terrain
- Multiple lash points and full-wrap compression straps secure loads
- Front panel daisy chain, gear loops, and sled-ready hipbelt add utility
- Avalanche tool pocket, stash compartments, and floating lid boost storage
- Reflective accents enhance visibility in low-light conditions
- Item #MHWZAEL
- Material
- Spectra ripstop nylon TPU
- Volume
- 105L (6407cu in)
- Support/Suspension
- aluminum frame
- Hydration Compatible
- yes
- Access
- top
- Pockets
- main, zippered front, 2 secure-zip, expandable side
- Gear Loops
- A-frame ski carry, diagonal skis carry
- Ice Axe Carry
- yes
- Trekking Pole Carry
- yes
- Activity
- mountaineering, ski mountaineering
- Manufacturer Warranty
- limited lifetime
Reviews
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Overall Rating
5 based on 6 ratings
Review Summary
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Selecting an option will reload the available reviews on the pageJune 3, 2025
Durable & Practical
Used this pack on the Denali West Buttress, excellent utility, comfortable on long pushes. Held up very well over 3 weeks on the mountain. Highly recommend.
Originally reviewed on mountainhardwear.com
May 13, 2025
Great pack
I really appreciate storage arrangement of this light weight pack. I recently carried 45 lbs winter camping. Stopping for breaks made getting snacks and water easy. The shoulder straps are a little narrow for me however I’d rather have a lighter pack and I wouldn’t have purchased this pack if it weighed 7+ lbs. make sure your fitness ability is equal to the capabilities of this pack.
Originally reviewed on mountainhardwear.com
September 7, 2024
Professional Grade
I had a Kelty 105 before and it performed very well. This backpack is leaps and bounds above it! Enjoyed my first outing with it (5 day). Much better craftsmanship. Fit is amazing and it just makes the trek easier.
Originally reviewed on mountainhardwear.com
March 10, 2024
Guide's review.
This pack is perfect for long expeditions that you have to carry all your gear for a climbing. Comfortable and light strong materials makes it perfect for Aconcagua or Himalayan expedition.
Originally reviewed on mountainhardwear.com
August 23, 2023
Packrafting the High Country
We have a two person pack raft that we frequently day hike with. I have been looking for a large capacity pack so we could take this boat on extended backcountry trips into alpine lakes. I purchased the AMGA 105 and recently completed a seven day, six night trip into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Washington State. The pack had the capacity to hold the clothing, food, fuel, pad, sleeping bag, water and a good amount of the group gear for the trip as well as the boat, oars, seats and dry bag. The packs mountaineering specific components, as it turns out, are perfectly adapted for carrying the raft and water gear. The crampon bag was the perfect storage for the paddles blades and water shoes and the ski stash areas were perfect for the graphite paddle handles, fishing, and tent poles. The tope closure with its rope retaining strap made a neat and secure attachment for the boat itself. If there were a pack designed specifically for packrafting it wouldn’t be much different from the AMGA 105. I am 64 years old, 6’ tall and 160lb. The smaller size fit well, had excellent adjustments and is durably made. Starting with 65lbs we covered 32 miles, crawled over and under many logs, ascended and descended talus slopes and spent a lot of time on good trails. This pack handled well on all of terrain.
Originally reviewed on mountainhardwear.com
August 13, 2023
The best heavy load carrying pack
I used this pack while putting up a new route on a remote mountain in Wyoming and can't say enough good things about it. I carried a 70+ pound pack filled with enough food for 2 weeks, enough climbing gear to tackle the uncertainties of a new alpine wall route and camping gear, 16 miles into the backcountry. The support from the frame kept the load on my back comfortable the whole time and the durability of the pack material meant it basically still looks brand new after being stuffed to the brim and dropped on sharp granite talus a long the way. The features are very well thought out on this pack too with enough straps to keep everything compressed and sitting how you see fit so the load inside the pack never shifts around. I did not use a pack cover while on this trip and did get caught in several storms and never had any issues with the contents inside getting soaking wet. I highly recommend this pack to anyone planning on carrying heavy loads long distances
Originally reviewed on mountainhardwear.com
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