About Hilltop Packs

Hilltop Packs

We are a family-owned business focused on creating ultralight and ultra-custom hiking and backpacking products. We do this with a small group of amazing gear makers in our little shop in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. And yes, we had to photoshop a few people into the photo :)

BEING DIFFERENT
We strive to create truly one-of-a-kind but highly functional pieces of gear you won't find in major retail stores. Personalized food bags, fanny packs, dry bags, stuff sacks and more, we guarantee that your gear will be as unique as your personal journey.

HOW DID HILLTOP PACKS BEGIN?
In 2019, our founder, Ben McMillen, posted a photo of his custom printed food bag with a bear printed on it to Facebook, Instagram, and Reddit. This quickly caught everyone's attention. An opportunity was born to give people what they wanted – gear with some personality! Since then, we carefully assembled a team of passionate gear makers and created this small but mighty company we call Hilltop Packs.

WHAT ABOUT COFFEE?
We also own a Hilltop Packs Coffee Roastery in the same building and RGB Coffee shop just a mile away. Stop by and visit us!

WHAT ABOUT APEX GIANT?
We also own the brand Apex Giant

WHO WORKS AT HILLTOP PACKS?

Owner

Ben McMillen

Owner of Hilltop Packs
Owner Hilltop Packs Coffee
Owner RGB Coffee
Co-Owner Apex Giant
Trail Name: Still no trail name
Fun Fact: Ben tells jokes that only he, and on a good day, maybe like one other person in the room finds funny. He claims he's ok with that.

HR & Payroll

Kailee McMillen

Started in 2019
Trail Name: Ben's Wife
Fun Fact: Hates hiking. Besides HR & Payroll, Kailee also manages our Photography studio.

General Manager

Amie Lou

Started in 2019
Trail Name: Shop Mom
Fun Fact: Amie yells a lot. Usually at Christian. Amie is also pretty famous in the competitive duck herding community.

Graphic Designer

Christian Wilson

Started in 2020
Trail Name: Elvis
Fun Fact. Usually the reason Amie is yelling. Has dressed up as a Llama more than the average person.

Customer Service

Jen C

Started in 2020
Trail Name: Salsa
Fun Fact: When you reach out to Hilltop Packs 83.7% of the time it will be Jen who replies. And she likes dolphins.

Business to Business Manager

Brandon McMillen

Started in 2020
Trail name: Angel Hair
Fun Fact: A computer nerd who also Collects Banana Label Stickers. Has awesome hair.

Sewing Shop Supervisor

Amanda P

Started in 2021
Trail Name: Stitch
Fun Fact: Never gets yelled at.

Gear Maker

Meg

Started in 2022
Trail Name: Steve Hater
Fun Fact: Doesn't like Steve

BACKPACK PRODUCTION LEAD

Katelyn

Started in 2022
Trail Name: Not Courtney
Fun Fact: Her name has never been Courtney.

Gear Pro

Tim Buckley

Started in 2022
Trail Name: Buckley
Fun Fact: Has 14 imaginary cats. Two of them are named fluffy.
Fun Fact #2: Once broke his tooth eating pizza. Still finished the pizza.

Coffee Roastery Manager

Diane

Started in 2021
Trail Name: K-Cup
Fun Fact: Loves making K-Cups

Lead Coffee Roaster

Ed Hughes

Started in 2021
Trail Name: Random Potato
Fun Fact: Has never been seen not smiling

Coffee Shop Manger

Deneen

Started in 2024
Trail Name: Clean Deneen
Fun Fact: Doesn't like wine, weed, or waffles. Just coffee.

Co-Owner Apex Giant

Travis Duncan

Trail Name: Low Miles
Fun Fact: We will let you know when we find a fun fact about Travis.

Works as intended

I ordered two, but I plan on grabbing more at another time. These hangers work as intended. As backpackers buying from a backpacking company, we all likely know what our packs weigh, so staying within the weight limit for these hangers is pretty easy.

I tried posting a photo for the review, but upon trying to post one photo I'd gotten an error stating the upload took too long and I should upload only one at a time. (the upload was only taking about 2 seconds to reach 99% completion before the error and was indeed only one photo)

Anyway, each of my packs are in the range of 10-15 lbs that I have hanging from these hangers and I have zero concerns about the hangers failing.

These are dense and sturdy little tools that keeps the backpacking gear obsession stay organized. I started with two just to see if I would like them first and I do - so I'll definitely be grabbing more down the road.

I did need to cinch the shoulder straps tight to be able to hang the packs, but beyond that, while they are not difficult to take off the hangers, accidentally knocking packs off of them is not likely. Possible? Of course - it's a hanger, but you'd have to be pretty gruff to make that happen.

The one thing I'd note is making sure the rack or dowel used to hang the packs is capable of holding the weight of the packs.

But now my gear closet has packs that are ready for adventure that are easy to grab and go. No more digging through the pile of packs at the bottom of the closet to grab the one I'm looking for.

Zipper pouch

I got the medium and small pouchs. The quality is top notch. I'm using the medium pouch for my electronics, it holds my battery bank, charging cords, headlamp & thermometer and that's about it. The small pouch will hold my toothbrush & toothpaste, dental floss, container for my meds & a roll of Rolaids. I also ordered a sack for my cook pot it works great. Hilltop crew thank you very much.

Absolutely Perfect Size

I'm using this dry bag for my tent...fits perfectly.

Super lightweight and durable!

This item is well made, very light, and durable. Great for packing camp food. I like the transparency of the material so I can see what’s inside.

Trail Maintenance Trash Bag

Works very well! The opening is large enough to allow easy placement of items and the depth is very good. The shoulder strap is wide enough to fit comfortably over shoulder, and the handle on the bottom is very useful. I take a one hour walk through my neighborhood urban trails every day and pick up trash along the way. It is a great bag, very useful, and excellent for this 78 year old man. Overall Five Star Excellent Rating!