Favorite Pack?

Among others I've owned Mtn H., Arcteryx, Cilo, Wild Things and Cold Cold World. Cold Cold World is my pick as "favorite" pack by a fair margin.

And the only packs mentioned here that are actually custom made for the customer, one at a time, by the owner of CCW. Who also happens to answer the phone.

So I hear A LOT about these Cold Cold World packs and I have a question regarding their packs...How comfortable are the packs?

I have a 45L Mammut "Ice" I think is what it's called. I love it!! ... for cragging.

I use the Mountainsmith Fusion 35. I can do multiday backpacking with it but I pack VERY light. It's also great for cragging.

Not a pack for double use as a backpacking sack...but after shredding more than a few crag bags I've switched to mini-haul bags (Metolius Express works for me). Each of them carries about as well as the others...as in - not very well...but plenty good enough for cragging.

Save your lightweight backpacks for backpacking and alpine trips. You'll save money in the long run. A haul bag will last for years and still look like new.

I agree with the tough pack sentiment. I trashed a BD speed 40 before I learned my lesson. I just bought a BD 50 cal and am really liking it. I carry most of the stuff while climbing with various partners. It is a bit big for most crag days, but still works well under packed. Also, after using a Arc'teryx Needle 35L with a roll top for years, I will always buy packs with lids.

Funny thing is that the cragging BD 50 cal (M, 1.54kg) is lighter than the new alpine BD Epic 45 (M, 1.57kg).

Matt Hasenohr wrote:Cold Cold World packs...How comfortable are the packs?

CCW packs aren't fancy by any measure. But they are complicated and well thought out patterns. Patterns and sewing done by a guy who has actually used his own gear at a high level of climbing. No one else in the same game by that measure. Few things that make them stand out in the herd really besides the fit (how they carry) and build quality. Price might be the third. Still one of the best values in a well designed climbing specific pack.

In the land of whistles and bells and a dohicky for evey use the CCW gear has just the accessories you'll likely use.

I do/have own/ed a number of packs. All bought at retail. Don't personally know any of the people involved making them. But have dealt as a customer with several of the owners. I have only bothered to write about one brand. There is a reason for that.

More info on CCW packs and climbing packs:

coldthistle.blogspot.com/20…

coldthistle.blogspot.com/20…

coldthistle.blogspot.com/20…

I'd agree with everyone else that the Cold Cold World packs are great for climbing, and also for skiing. I've got the Valdez and the Chaos. The Valdez has served me for several years as cragging pack, climbing pack for ice, daypack for ski-mountaineering, airline carryon luggage, etc. I've jabbed it with crampons, hauled it up chimneys, and generally been very rough on it and it is barely showing any wear. I use the Chaos mostly for multi-day ski-mountaineering trips and backpacking and it works great for that. Both packs are light, form to your back well, and compress small when needed. You should note that there is no frame, so if you're going to be humping massive loads you might feel it a bit more than in a frame pack. They carry fine for any weight you can reasonably climb with, but if you like to haul the whole kitchen sink when backpacking you may want a seperate pack for that. My Chaos carrys all my winter overnight ski stuff fine until I also strap the skis on, then I can tell there is no frame.

For comparison, I have a Cilogear 20L for long rock routes where I don't need as much stuff (just waterbottle, light jacket, shoes and a couple granola bars), and I've had it for only about a year, and although it is super light and climbs well it is already falling apart on me. That said, I have been very hard on it (although no worse than I've been to my CCW packs...) and it is their smallest pack, maybe the bigger ones are more durable?

My larger (60 and 45L) cilogear packs haven't lasted that long - seams blowing, bartacks ripping, grommets popping out etc... Graham (the owner) assures me that the current packs aren't like this,and I believe him, but I'm not keen to get another one.

Also, the number of times I've gone on a trip and realized that I've forgotten the 4 straps to hold the lid on (I usually take them off for day cragging), or crampon straps is shockingly high. I'm ready for a pack without straps to lose/forget. That's just me though.

The new ones supposed to last much longer. I had the first version and second version, both are in need of repair. They do climb very well, maybe I'll give it a try when I saved up enough money. I also have CCW Chaos, so far, it's working out very very well for me.

I have a CCW Ozone and a CCW Chernobyl.

I love both.

Very comfortable.

Also, and I think not taken seriously in this day and age of "light weight and Ultra Light Weight"... they are made of heavy duty material. They stand up to the abuse of climbing WAY better than the Sil-Nylon stuff that many packs are going to. I don't mind that light stuff for hiking, but for heavy use and abrasion on rock and ice, give me durable.

Also, did I mention the owner is awesome, can customize gearloops and whatnot, and his prices are very competitive with stuff made in China? How could you go wrong?! :D

Generally if you ask, and actually know what you want, Randy @ CCW will make it for you. Price has always been better than anyone else available that I have shopped even with the custom changes.

Michael Stearns wrote:I agree with the tough pack sentiment. I trashed a BD speed 40 before I learned my lesson. I just bought a BD 50 cal and am really liking it. I carry most of the stuff while climbing with various partners. It is a bit big for most crag days, but still works well under packed. Also, after using a Arc'teryx Needle 35L with a roll top for years, I will always buy packs with lids. Funny thing is that the cragging BD 50 cal (M, 1.54kg) is lighter than the new alpine BD Epic 45 (M, 1.57kg).

I don't own a BD 50Cal but they look pretty awesome for cragging.

Dane wrote:Generally if you ask, and actually know what you want, Randy @ CCW will make it for you. Price has always been better than anyone else available that I have shopped even with the custom changes.

...and if you and your friends get stuck waiting out a storm you can play tic-tac-toe for 186 days straight!

Branden Michelkamp wrote:I am looking for something no less than 50L as I would like to try and get double use out of this pack for multi-day backpacking trips.

FWIW....

I think there are three mistakes about to happen here. 1st is you really want two packs. A big one for longer trips and a smaller cragging pack for one and two day alpine shots going light or for cragging with a big load of rock gear and ropes. I use a custom Ozone and Chaos for those duties. Most often the Ozone and ditch more gear to stay light. But I could make do with the production versions easy enough.

As climbing packs they are spectacular imo. Lwt weight and tough as nails. Multiday back packing trips? I might use the Chaos but it also wouldn't likely be my first choice for back packing. No truly climbing specific pack would be. I'd likely look at the Golite packs for that and learn how to pack them. So now you'll own three :)