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30L Packs

Original Post
Scott O · · Anchorage · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 70

I'm in the market for a 30L pack for use on alpine climbs to replace the one I thrashed this past season (Marmot Matterhorn 30). It was awesome, except that the pack interfered with looking up while wearing a helmet because of the way it rode.

Any suggestions for a good alpine climbing pack to get that won't get in the way of a helmet while looking up to climb?

Luc-514 · · Montreal, QC · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 12,506

I love my Osprey Variant, but it's a bit over 30L, carries a full rack and rope easily and comfortably.
No issues climbing with it (couple ice seasons), doesn't get in the way, no helmet issues, sits over the harness.

Crag Dweller · · New York, NY · Joined Jul 2006 · Points: 125

Check out the BD Demon. It's a good minimal pack that doesn't interfere with a helmet.

blackdiamondequipment.com/e…

If you have any interest in a used pack, I have one that is a year old and am looking to get rid of it. It's in good shape. It was just a little bit smaller than what I wanted. PM me if you're interested.

Dave Leydet · · Salt Lake City, UT · Joined Nov 2011 · Points: 161

cilogear 30 or 30:30

paintrain · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2007 · Points: 75

I'm a big fan of the osprey mutant. 38l, but designed as a do everything alpine pack.

pT

Kevin Landolt · · Fort Collins, Wyoming · Joined Jun 2009 · Points: 585

The BD Demon is a great pack in the 30L range, although it doesn't carry tools or crampons well on the exterior - that would require some rigging - it really is a great, oftentimes overlooked, pack in that size range.

APBT1976 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2011 · Points: 55

Loving my Cilo Gear 30L Worksack. Well lets say i love the way it rides/fits and i love the WNWD matterial.

What i don't like is the buckles they use or the configuration of them. I could probably deal with the configuration of them but they are always falling off on me as they are made to be able to move them.

Add to this that design of the sternum strap so it can be taken off and moved also and it always coming undone also and it is pretty dam annoying to be honest.

Still they seems like simple fixes and i may send the bag back at the end of the season and have them addressed with a permanent fix of sorts.

I also have a Osprey Varient and it has way way way to many strap and extra shit. I suppose i could take a pair of scissors to it and it would be just fine?

Go with Cold Cold World, Or a company Blue Ice!!!

Nick Venechuk · · Golden, CO · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 60

+1 on the Osprey Variant. BC ski/ski carry/snow climbs/alpine climbs/general cragging...everything I've done with it it's been just about perfect. I could see going smaller for alpine climbs but with the 37L you can carry everything internally so you're more stable on talus-y approaches and descents. Plus it compresses well and you can remove the hipbelt if it's in the way while climbing. The suspension is really comfortable with heavy loads as well.

coldfinger · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 55

well depends if you want something ultralight (hard to go wrong with the MH Scrambler 30, especially at a sale price) but if you want something a bit burlier I've got this up for sale:

MH Via Rapida 35

Dane · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 562
Auto-X Fil · · NEPA and Upper Jay, NY · Joined Aug 2010 · Points: 50
Dave77 wrote:cilogear 30 or 30:30
Yup. I love my 30L.

If Cilogear is too strap-covered and fiddly for you, get a Cold Cold World Valdez. It is an excellent pack and very affordable.
APBT1976 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2011 · Points: 55
Dane wrote:http://blueicegear.blogspot.com/
Got to see one of these pack out last week in person. From what i could tell without pulling it off the guys back it looked very very nice. So much so i think i may have the lid of my Cilo Gear pack fitted that stretch material for my helmet.
Kenny Allen · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 0

Of all my packs, the two that see the most action are both made by Black Diamond. The Jackal 45L is an excellent pack that hardly feels like a 45L, but i believe it has been discontinued. The other is mainly just a day pack but i have used it for single-night trips just fine. In spite of this, neither rank as my favorite. That title goes to the Figure Four Delta Pack, which i believe is a 35L. The Figure Four Delta is simply the most versatile, user-friendly, easy-to-pack, backpack i have ever used. I tried a demo when i went to the valley last year and climbed all day with it up in Tuolumne. It is excellent for alpine ascents, as it can hold all your gear on the approach and then compress down to almost disappear on your back as you are climbing with it. Figure Four also has a larger pack called Omega and also a pack called the Tau, neither of which i have tried, but both of which i would gamble on based on the precedent set by the Delta.

figurefourpacks.com/

Linnaeus · · ID · Joined Aug 2011 · Points: 0

Another vote for the Black Diamond Demon. It's simply a great pack that I am finding more and more uses for. Simple design, well executed, and a great size at a hair over 30L. It fits a bunch of stuff but carries "smaller" than it's size, I'll prob use it next year for long trad routes instead of my typical nugget bag, just without the frame sheet and cinched down -- it feels and climbs that well. It has the good little details I like for a bag this size:

  • center top rope carry strap
  • a flip top lid (no vestibule, thanks!)
  • frame sheet +/- stiffening rib
  • comfy shoulder straps, permanent sternum strap, appropriately sized waist strap
  • bladder sleeve
  • small pocket for keys/wallet/headlamp/guide book
  • small sleeve opposite the hydration bladder
  • I like a couple small pockets if they are easy to get to and not gimmicky, the accessory pockets on this pack deliver
  • 4 simple compression straps
  • narrow profile good for long trad routes or ice
  • bomber fabric and bomber main compartment zipper
  • even with all of the above, it's essentially a big easy to load tube on your back, perfect!
  • its true it doesn't carry tools or crampons especially well compared with packs that have dedicated straps. That said, it certainly isn't a deal breaker for me; I've gotten both my tools onto the pack without issues and can throw the crampons under a compression strap. This is a pack I like because it climbs so well, the approach isn't my primary concern. But if it is a big deal for you, consider the Speed 30.

Photos stolen from Splitter Choss: splitterchoss.com/2010/06/0…



darin · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2007 · Points: 100

Im a big fan of my MEC Alpine Lite 30. Its lightweight, no frills, durable, and CHEAP! $40

mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Packs/Da…

Chris Plesko · · Westminster, CO · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 485

Does MEC ship to the US fairly inexpensively? I've wanted to try the alpinelite but just never bit the bullet.

Tyler Wick · · Bishop, CA · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 200

BD Speed 30

Greg Gavin · · SLC, UT · Joined Oct 2008 · Points: 888

the cilogear worksack 30:30 is great. i would recommend it to anyone looking for a light mountain pack capable of carrying a rope, full rack, and 1/2 the camping gear. The variations that you have with the straps are awesome. If I want to ski tour I have a set up for my skis, but if I want to go climbing I can strip it down.

Kai Larson · · Sandy, UT · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 436

I agree. It's a great pack. Has what you need. Nothing you don't. At the 30 liter size, I don't see any reason to get a heavier, more expensive pack. This is my go-to daypack.

mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Packs/Da…

darin wrote:Im a big fan of my MEC Alpine Lite 30. Its lightweight, no frills, durable, and CHEAP! $40 mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Packs/Da…
bearbreeder · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 3,065
Kai Larson wrote:I agree. It's a great pack. Has what you need. Nothing you don't. At the 30 liter size, I don't see any reason to get a heavier, more expensive pack. This is my go-to daypack. mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Packs/Da…
it also comes with the mec feed it to a polar bear and well take care of it warranty ....
darin · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2007 · Points: 100
Chris Plesko wrote:Does MEC ship to the US fairly inexpensively? I've wanted to try the alpinelite but just never bit the bullet.
It seems that it's usually a flat $19 shipping from CA to CO. Its probably best to split it with a friend or wait until you need a few different items. Even still, for $60, its a good pack.
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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