Summit pack durability...

I have been trying to find a small pack (12 liters or so) that is absolutely bombproof. I never really worried about my packs durability until this summer when I squeezed my way up through my first granite chimney with a pack hanging between my legs scraping against the wall on both sides.

With this image engraved in my head I can't help but imagine what this would do to the mesh material on the back of most packs. The only small pack I have found without mesh on the back is the BD Bullet but I hate packs with zippers and would prefer a cinch top.

My question is, how many of you have had the issue of destroying the mesh back panel when dragging your pack up climbs? Or does this problem never happen?

Metolius makes a small ropebag/pack that would be perfect. Cordura all around. No mesh. Moon Climbing makes a couple as well that are nice.

I love my Petzl Bug but it has mesh, albeit a tighter weave.

I love my BD shot pack. Fits everything I need and has a reinforced loop on top for hauling which works great. No mesh anywhere on it.

Lspade wrote:I have been trying to find a small pack (12 liters or so) that is absolutely bombproof. I never really worried about my packs durability until this summer when I squeezed my way up through my first granite chimney with a pack hanging between my legs scraping against the wall on both sides. With this image engraved in my head I can't help but imagine what this would do to the mesh material on the back of most packs. The only small pack I have found without mesh on the back is the BD Bullet but I hate packs with zippers and would prefer a cinch top. My question is, how many of you have had the issue of destroying the mesh back panel when dragging your pack up climbs? Or does this problem never happen?

Maybe the "Atom Smasher" from FISH?

How about this: Coldcoldworldbackpacks

I don't own one - yet.

No backpack will survive constant chimney climbing. You are better off hauling the pack.

The Cilogear 20L hauly. Its like the worksack but in ballistics fabric.

I have a Marmot Kompressor that I like a lot. It was pretty inexpensive and is lightweight, and has solid features. However, it won't survive chimneys. After two seasons it's got some healthy wear.

Don't go with the Lowe Alpine Attack, which seemed like a great summit pack with a lot of expandability.

Zipper broke, shoulder strap tore.

A friend of mine made a caving pack that rides beside you for tight squeezes. Right under the armpit. The prototype was made from heavy dyneema ripstop and just barely contained a full caving kit. I betting it would be perfect for extended chimney climbs.

Phillip

+1 for the BD Shot.

I have a wild things ice sack made of NWD (Non-Woven Dyneema) and it has exceeded my expectations for wear and versatility when compared to my Osprey Variant 55.

If you are serious about indesctructability then I would go with a caving pack. They make packs that are meant to be dragged through sharp lava tubes and come out unscathed.

Or look at canyoneering packs from tom jones. I own his Imlay Heaps 50L pack for wet canyons and I love it. I just recently upgraded to a resurgence pack which is what my local cave SAR group uses and they are made of Hypalon which is the same stuff rafts are made of. PVC is also another common material used for canyoneering, caving, and other unique niche sports.

wivanoff wrote:How about this: Coldcoldworldbackpacks I don't own one - yet.

Randy88 - THANK YOU! The Imlay Leprechaun is near perfect! I didnt even take the time to ask about a daypack with a rope carry on top bexause I assumed this didnt exist. The only thing this pack is missing is a cinch top. Thanks for mentioning canyoneering packs!

And thank you for all of the other ideas guys. It is between the BD bullet and Imlay lep right now.

REI Flash 18. Very light, stuffs easily inside your crag pack, holds plenty, carries well, and surprisingly durable. If it wears out, buy another- they're only $30, and you can often find them on sale.