Cragging packs

I just purchased one of those 50 calibers from BD. I like it, but it seems to be missing burlyness. I like the idea of a haul bag style bag, but haul bags aren't very comfortable to carry, and they lack things that backpacks have (like a place to put food, watch, camera.

So any other options than the 50 cal? This thing is 50L and holds my 70m - double rack to #3, and all my essentials. No complaints other than I know its deteriorating already.

I like my Osprey Variant 50L. It has done well and you can add a net to the top of the top loader to hold your helmet on the outside. You could probably have runout customs make you a pack out of haul bag material with better padding and a top loader for the same price...

I like my Arcteryx Miura 50. It has room for a 70m/9.4 rope, sport rack, 2 harnesses, 2 chalk bags, 2 40 ounce water bottles and 3 pairs of climbing shoes in the main compartment. Jackets and hats etc. in the outer pocket. AND camera, wallet, headlamp, etc. in the top pocket. AND it comes with straps to attach an extra rope, tent, whatever to the top.

I've had it for 4yrs now and it is still in great shape. Thick canvas on the outside, and the frame is comfy. Only down side is that it really puts a lot of pressure on the shoulders during long hikes (I used it to backpack around Europe), but for cragging and medium-length hikes it is fine.

Personally I hate Osprey packs. I find them to be highly gimicky and poorly made. I agree with Randy that you should check out a Runout Customs Canyon Pack.

I also have really enjoyed my miura.

That canyon pack looks like it fits the bill! Shoulda done this prior to my bd purchase.

Thanks

Cilogear ballistic work sacks...hands down the nicest and most functional packs on the market in my opinion

Small Haul Bag - fish grade 5, runout customs etc.

+1 for Arcteryx Miura 50
Have had it two years and still looks new. It really takes abuse well. I find it comfortable on approaches up to an hour and a half.

Randy the same thing happened to me with the fifty cal. Its now my cloths duffle because my gear falls out of the hole in it. I dident feel the haul bag style duffle did anything good. I wanted a muirra fifty, I got a mammut neon 45 it did well for a while but i had some durabilty issues, thankfully mammut is warrantying the bag. I am trying to get run out customs to make a DIAD 50liter bag with clamshelling zippers for me so i can have the best of both worlds. An muirra made of haulbag fabric made in moab...fingers crossed luke will do it.

So far I love the BD Epic 45... Initially I got a 50 cal but sent it back before even using it 'cause it seemed so chintzy.

Cilogear Haulys. They come in 20, 30, 45, and 60/65, I forget. I used a demo 30 as a guiding/rebolting bag for 3 seasons in Red Rock, and it showed no significant signs of wear. I had a 60 at the end of its official testing life that is still my big crag bag til it dies, which I don't think will be soon. Both bags survived a vehicle rollover and ejection while full of stuff, to no ill effect. Unfortunately, I had to give the 30 back, so I just bought a new one. It's not a canyon pack, but I've dragged it through a few, and it's great. HANDMADE IN THE USA - Portland, OR - if you're the type of person that cares about that. They're burly as hell, super clean, and have a cool ninja pocket to stow little things.

I got this thing, if you can find it: campsaver.com/hard-rock-32-… Vaude Hard Rock

I got mine from those focus on the family-ers at sierratradingpost, but they are sold out.

It's really burly and comfy, and also "doubles as a haul bag." To me that means it has a clip-in loop and it's somewhat low profile.

However, the one caveat to the burliness aforementioned is that the plastic buckle in the middle of the back WILL break on you. I sewed a piece of folded webbing to that spot and replaced the male end of the buckle with a crash pad buckle, and it works fine.

I have a Miura, it is my most used pack. There are low cost alternatives but none are as good.

I use Vaude - they are a GREAT euro-pack maker! I have their old yosemetric and it's been a great bag though after 10 years the zippers are shot. I have their Powder pack for skiing and the features are outstanding compared to US made packs. Def worth checking them out though I don't have any of their new stuff. I specifically like them for their suspension system and focus on a robust hip belt to carry heavy loads.

http://www.vaude.com

Tech Rock 32 - looks like a good pack geared towards climbing
Escapator 40+10 - Looks like the one I'd get if I was in for a new pack.

I've got an old Gregory Gravity pack that I use for single pitch days. I'm still looking around for a long approach mulit-pitch pack. MountainTools makes two that I've been considering.

Cilo worksacks are fantastic!!! I own 4

Interested to know more about the Cilo packs... haven't heard of them but they look solid.

Does anyone have any photos of the suspension system? Shoulder pads, hip belt, etc? Can't seem to find any photos on their site and it sounds like they just use webbing...ek!

Check youtube for cilogear propaganda films. Everything is modular on them, so you can add/subtract padding, customize strap arrangements, etc. The Haulys have two fixed haul straps that can be tucked away. The worksacks have any configuration you want. I have a full padded waist belt for my 60Hauly and 60 worksack, though the pads can be removed leaving a 2" webbing hipbelt. Suspension consists of a small bivy pad on both of those. The worksack came with a flexible framesheet with a removable alum stay. I threw that in storage and use a 3/4 thermarest, in addition to the bivy pad. That supports 40+ lbs decently. Any more than that, and you're carrying too much.

A note on materials. The standard (woven) worksack is an alpine pack. The material is durable-ish, but not intended for cragging use or serious abuse. If you like the design of the worksack, they are available in the Guide Service models, which are constructed of more durable materials, primarily Ballistics.

For multi pitch, I prefer a small 1000 cu. in. pack. I can stow extra clothes, food, shoes and water, and not much else. I will wear my harness on approach and can stuff the rack.

I prefer it to a bigger pack that will be deflated during the climb and floppy. I also like the lack of extra straps, buckles etc that flog you incessantly on a windy day.

I have an old Lowe Alpine rucksack style. It won't ever die. Though it smells dead.

Chris Graham wrote:Cilo worksacks are fantastic!!! I own 4

I recently bought the Cilogear 30L worksack and really like it as a climbing pack and how it carries weight.

I will say though I've only brought it on a couple of 'real' alpine rock climbs and on the first one I returned to find 2 minor tears in the fabric. The climbing was easy and in retrospect I can't even imagine when it happened. My point is, though I haven't owned it for long, durability is certainly in question.

I've owned Cold Cold World bags for years,under tons of abuse, with none of these issues. Just my experience....

For durable cragging packs I have a few favorites:

Cold Cold World Chernobyl.

You can do a search here and on Supertopo, and time and time again people sing the praises of Randy (CCW owner / craftsman) and his packs. I have the Chernobyl. It is built to last, the stitching and materials are awesome, and it carries like a dream. I thought that Dana Designs made the best packs ever, and CCW has a very similar level of quality and durability. Let me put this another way; every time I use my CCW pack, I smile. It is that good.

10 years from now you can either be on your second or third "made in Asia" pack, or still be loving your CCW masterpiece. The choice is yours...

Runnout Customs

I have one of his older haul-bags. It is about 60L, and more rectangular than the standard cylindrical haul bag. It is my go-to bag for IC when I am carrying a ton of cams and my CCW does not have enough space. Runnout Customs is climber owned and all of his stuff is made by hand in the USA.

Fish Atom Smasher

It is just a little (35L I think) haul bag. Love it. Simple, durable and reasonably priced. It carries like a pig, but I am not using it if I am hiking in a long distance.