Over the years, I’ve accumulated and tested dozens of hip packs of all different shapes and sizes. I’ve got packs for short rides, long rides, and everything in between. So when I learned about the $200 High Above Venture 3D hip pack, I had to know: What makes this any different from the others I’ve owned? And just as importantly, why does it cost $200?
High Above Venture 3D key specs
- Materials: Challenge UltraWeave 400x shell, 210D Nylon Ripstop lining
- Fidlock buckles on the waist and closure
- Weight: 350g (about 0.75lb)
- Price: $200
- Buy from High Above
A rugged exterior
The High Above Venture 3D hip pack features a simple foldover top that’s secured with a magnetic Fidlock buckle. The advantage of a foldover is that there’s no zipper to get stuck or snagged, and water is less likely to work its way inside the pack on wet rides.
I wore the Venture 3D during an unexpected downpour, and everything inside the pack stayed as dry as parched desert singletrack. Mud and grit roll right off the pack, and High Above says you can just hose the Venture 3D off if it gets dirty. There’s not a lot of padding to soak up sweat and funk either, which is great for summer rides.
Every second counts when taking wildlife photos on the trail, and the Venture 3D has a speed advantage over a pack with a zippered closure thanks to the Fidlock buckle. If you’ve ever used a Fidlock on a helmet strap, you know how satisfying it feels when it locks in place, and the buckle works great even with gloved hands.
Friends have remarked on the clean look of the pack, and despite its simple design, the Venture 3D stands out in a sea of zippered packs. Leah says it looks like a purse, which is fair. One online reviewer called it “the Gucci of hip packs,” though an actual Gucci hip pack costs almost $1,500 and looks ugly by comparison IMO. Plus, I doubt the Gucci fits as much gear.
The waist strap
There are two mesh pockets on either side of the waist strap, though neither is large enough to hold a water bottle. You could fit a bar or maybe a couple Gu packets for easy access during the ride, but that’s about it. One nice touch is that the left pocket has a flap so that empty snack wrappers don’t work their way out during the ride.
The High Above Venture 3D is missing a couple of features I’ve come to rely on from other hip packs. First, there are no external straps or cords for attaching an extra layer once you’ve warmed up. Fortunately, there is just enough excess strap length to overstuff the main compartment and cinch the foldover top down to secure any excess cargo.
And as far as I can tell, there aren’t any reflective details on the pack for visibility at night, nor is there a loop for attaching a blinky light. The Venture 3D is only offered in black, which gives it a rugged and understated look that I love, just not at night when I’m trying to cross the road.
Inside the pack
Beneath the foldover top, the storage compartment boasts about 2.5L of capacity. There’s a sleeve for your phone, which I love because it prevents the phone’s screen from getting scratched by other items bouncing around inside the pack. (Two years later, my iPhone screen still has half a dozen scratches thanks to a loose multi-tool on a single long ride.)
On the opposite wall of the storage compartment there are two mesh sleeves I’ve been using to hold small items like mini pliers and a tire plug tool. Finally, there’s a zippered pocket with a corded hook inside for securing a set of keys. Because the pack is made from stiff materials that don’t really stretch, it’s not really possible to cram a lot into the zippered pocket other than cash or a couple credit cards.
With the small stuff sorted, the main compartment is free to hold more than enough gear for an after-work ride, or even a half-day jaunt, assuming you have your hydration sorted. The pack’s stiff material and solid construction allow the storage compartment to hold its shape, preventing it from flopping or folding over itself.
The High Above Venture 3D is roughly large enough to fit both halves of a foot-long sub cut in half. To put that into MTB terms, it’s large enough for a rain jacket, tools, an inflator (I like the electric ones), a spare tube, phone, keys, and gloves. I was surprised the pack even fits my full-size Sony camera with the 24-70mm lens, though the camera just barely fits and doesn’t leave room for anything else.
Because there’s just one main compartment, I know exactly where everything is inside the pack. With other packs that include a secondary zippered compartment, I’m never sure where I put my snacks or my multi-tool, which means I open the wrong one half the time.
The low-bounce hip pack
Compared to a backpack, hip packs tend to pinch your hips and stomach and also bounce around on the trail, especially if you’re hauling a heavy load. Wide, lightly padded wings on the Venture 3D waistband relieve any pressure on the hips, while the one-and-a-half-inch-thick nylon belt is wide enough for my comfort.
The waist belt is secured with a second Fidlock buckle, and the length can be adjusted simply by pulling forward on the ends of the straps. Stretchy cuffs prevent any excess strap length from drooping or flapping in the wind.
Now, the feature that makes the Venture 3D stand out from the standard Venture hip pack is a custom, 3D-printed back panel that’s both squishy and grippy. The panel is made by Carbon3D, the same company that produces materials used in fancy saddles like the Specialized 3D Mirror. The upshot is the sticky material stays locked in place without bouncing or sliding around, and is comfortable at the same time.
Although the open lattice structure is said to aid in ventilation, it’s not like you’ll feel a breeze. I think the real advantage is that the pack doesn’t stick to your back when you take it off at the end of a sweaty ride.
Share your High Above Venture 3D review
I’ve gotten used to rotating my hip pack to the front whenever I need to find an item while on the trail. However, the grippy Venture 3D back panel prevents the pack from easily sliding over my shorts, so I usually twist my back or remove the pack instead. It’s a small adjustment that I don’t really mind, given how stable the pack is, even when riding rough trails.
Why is the High Above 3D so expensive?
There’s no getting around the fact that $200 is a lot to pay for a hip pack. “This pack is expensive,” High Above says in a press release for the Venture 3D. “We realize that [it is] not for everyone […] We’re obsessed with rethinking how gear interacts with the ride. New materials. Streamlined design. Comfort. Minimalism. Maximalism.”
Obviously, the cost of producing any product comes down to materials and labor. On the materials side, the 3D back panel is clearly a premium choice, as is the lightweight and durable shell material. And Fidlock buckles aren’t cheap. A quick search online shows the wholesale price for a Fidlock buckle is at least $6, and this pack has two of them. The only other $200 hip pack I’m aware of, the Mission Workshop Axis, has just one Fidlock.
On the labor side, the High Above Venture 3D is expertly constructed, and the quality is clearly evident. It’s made in the USA, which adds to the cost of labor, too. For many buyers, that alone is worth paying a premium.
Pros and cons of High Above Venture 3D
Pros
- Foldover top and Fidlock closure make for quick access; waterproof and keeps its shape
- 3D back panel is comfortable and prevents the pack from bouncing up and down on rough trails
- Good amount of internal organization without going overboard
Cons
- Expensive
- Little room for expanded storage
Bottom line
Just based on the price, I want to hate the High Above Venture 3D hip pack. But after spending some time wearing it on the trail, I will grudgingly admit that there is a good case for a $200 hip pack that’s durable, comfortable, easy to use, and won’t throw me off balance on the trail.
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