I need a pack recommendation

Nate K wrote:Cilo gear makes a 30L that sounds like it would work for you too.http://www.cilogear.com/30lws.html

Cilo would have to pay me and even then it would be a tough sell.

I bought my NoZone 35 specifically to replace my 2001 Khamsin 38 (not that it was falling apart, but to preserve it). The new NoZone should have been called the Khamsin as it is closer to what the Khamsin was than to the old Nozone. The thing weighs 2lbs, with stays and a plastic frame sheet, you aren't gonna beat that smooth ride with a Cilo or a noisy ass cuben fabric pack.

The Kea/Kata seem more backpacking, trekking focused. Very minimal and would work, but why wouldn't you buy something climbing specific if that's what you were going to be doing with it. I would also suspect the cranial clearance may be low on those bags - as they aren't meant to be climbed with? In addition they are heavier at 3.5lbs...

Cilo Gear is for alpine hipsters. If you have money to sink in a patch work, hand made USA pack that only the cool kids are using in the Himal, then Cilo is for you, but you already knew that...

Ray, check out Cold Cold World. There stuff is awesome. I have owned 2 of their packs.

Cold Cold World Ozone. Strong Durable Cordura. Great size. Sleek. Great volume for day or just over a day stuff. Made in New Hampshire!
coldcoldworldpacks.com/ozon…

If you want the ice tool options try the Valdez. I have the ozone so I cannot attest to its features, but if anything like my Ozone, I'm sure it rocks:
coldcoldworldpacks.com/vald…

Tits McGee wrote:I bought my NoZone 35 specifically to replace my 2001 Khamsin 38 (not that it was falling apart, but to preserve it). The new NoZone should have been called the Khamsin as it is closer to what the Khamsin was than to the old Nozone. The thing weighs 2lbs, with stays and a plastic frame sheet, you aren't gonna beat that smooth ride with a Cilo or a noisy ass cuben fabric pack. The Kea/Kata seem more backpacking, trekking focused. Very minimal and would work, but why wouldn't you buy something climbing specific if that's what you were going to be doing with it. I would also suspect the cranial clearance may be low on those bags - as they aren't meant to be climbed with? In addition they are heavier at 3.5lbs... Cilo Gear is for alpine hipsters. If you have money to sink in a patch work, hand made USA pack that only the cool kids are using in the Himal, then Cilo is for you, but you already knew that...

Yep, you hit it. I passed on the Kea/Kata and bought a NoZone this morning. I was willing to live with the weight penalty on the KEA but the lid ruined it. The lid is not removable and is also billowy. The smaller size was ok but I know a helmet would hit it looking up.

Some of the packs mentioned almost make my requirements but end up bloated trying to be everything to everyone. I don't want custom and I don't need a pack to last the next 20 years.

Looks like the kahmski is close to the kahmsin but has way more features, seems like a dope pack, but more geared specifically towards the ski tour crowd. (I'm drooling). The khamsin is pretty bare bones compared to it.

The nozone looks great, seems like the 55 would be a great buy as well.

Ray Pinpillage wrote: Yep, you hit it. I passed on the Kea/Kata and bought a NoZone this morning. I was willing to live with the weight penalty on the KEA but the lid ruined it. The lid is not removable and is also billowy. The smaller size was ok but I know a helmet would hit it looking up. Some of the packs mentioned almost make my requirements but end up bloated trying to be everything to everyone. I don't want custom and I don't need a pack to last the next 20 years.

I win. I had the best recommendation of the thread! As for the NoZone, you won't be disappointed, it's pretty much everything you were looking for - And if my 2001 Khamsin is any indication of life of a pack, the NoZone should last you 20 years!

Tits McGee wrote: I win. I had the best recommendation of the thread! As for the NoZone, you won't be disappointed, it's pretty much everything you were looking for - And if my 2001 Khamsin is any indication of life of a pack, the NoZone should last you 20 years!

The Khamski may have a place in my life down the road. I really liked it for Touring.

BD's direction with their waist belts is really disappointing. Every one of their packs. What a shame.

Ray Pinpillage wrote: Waist belt doesn't come off and has fiddly ice tool retention.

The waist belt on my BD Speed 30 does come off, although the velcro holding it on is pretty burly. Ice axe retention hasn't given me any problems.

blackdiamondequipment.com/e…

mark felber wrote: The waist belt on my BD Speed 30 does come off, although the velcro holding it on is pretty burly. Ice axe retention hasn't given me any problems. blackdiamondequipment.com/e…

The padding comes off but the webbing is permanently attached. The Velcro is a pain for sure and putting Nomics on the Speed 30/40 sucks. I have a Speed 40, it's ok and worth the $100 or so I paid but it has little quirks that piss me off. The roll top is great, too bad about the belt.

OK, I looked again and you're right. The aggravation of getting the padding off would outweigh the weight savings from removing the padding. The ice tool retention is great for a straight shafted axe, but whoever designed it never looked at a Nomic (neither did I until I read your last post).

BD used to supply a webbing waist belt with their packs. I have two from the old quantum and predator. Maybe BD has spare belts. If not, I may be able to part with one of mine.

Tits McGee wrote:BD used to supply a webbing waist belt with their packs. I have two from the old quantum and predator. Maybe BD has spare belts. If not, I may be able to part with one of mine.

I had a Quantum 45, the frame stays popped out of the top. I have the web belt in a box I think. I guess I could cut off the Speed 40 belt but that doesn't sound appealing.

For what it's worth, my Nomics attach to my Speed 30 just fine. I loosen the cord up all the way, slide the tools handle through the loop, feed the little metal clip through the hole on the Nomic's head and tighten down.

The NoZone looks like a great pack, wish it'd been available for $140 a year ago.

Edit since I seem to be accused of trying to justify a pack that I purchased. I probably wouldn't buy one again, in my opinion a medium weight alpine pack should hold up to ski edges, the Speeds don't. The frame is the worst possible combination of rigid and flexible. Also, the little metal tabs are disconcertingly thin aluminum, a gram of stainless steel would be well spent here. The string things also tend to flex the pack weird. That said, the ice tool attachment seems pretty straight forward, to me at least.

Yeah, the strings can be made to work but so can all the other shortcomings of the Speed 30. Not the point though.

LOL! Threads like this inevitable become defending your purchase decision to others. OP got a pack he wanted. As long as he's happy with it, that's all that matters.

PS. I really dislike BD packs.

I've done a million searches so save that shit, I'm looking for a pack that I may have overlooked. This is pack is for ice and alpine. Single day, two days tops. Maybe a 25 mile day. I have bigger packs and smaller packs. Here is what I'm looking for:
- 30'ish Liters
- Removable waist belt (optional webbing belt a plus)
- Ice tool provisions
- Removable lid if it has a lid (doesn't have to have a lid)
- Ice tool provisions
- Efficient minimal compression straps - Reasonably lightweight

Here's what it can't have:
- Fixed waist belt
- Fiddly ice tool strings
- Monstrous hole left from waist belt apparatus
- Patchwork of tiny fabric
- Delicate
- 40 yards of straps and elastic
Automatic disqualifiers: Osprey, MHW, Cilo Gear What's that leave? OK, lay it on me.

• ***************

The Valdez is a smaller size alpine pack perfect for one-day routes in the mountains or for cragging when you want a pack light enough to carry up the climb. All the important features that make our larger packs great are here in a smaller, more streamlined package.

removable/extendible lid
daisy chain haul loops
ski slots
quick release ice tool loops and crampon straps
removable foam backpad (10.5 x 41" )
1.5" webbing waist belt
13" extension sleeve
under-lid stash pocket

Capacity..............2400 cu. in.(40 Liters)
Weight.......................................2 lbs 2 oz
Materials........................500d Cordura
Price..................................................$125.

• *****************

Honestly, I think this fits your bill completely, except for the waist belt which may not be removable (however, when you call and order you can have them make it how you want).

Pete Spri wrote:I've done a million searches so save that shit, I'm looking for a pack that I may have overlooked. This is pack is for ice and alpine. Single day, two days tops. Maybe a 25 mile day. I have bigger packs and smaller packs. Here is what I'm looking for: - 30'ish Liters - Removable waist belt (optional webbing belt a plus) - Ice tool provisions - Removable lid if it has a lid (doesn't have to have a lid) - Ice tool provisions - Efficient minimal compression straps - Reasonably lightweight Here's what it can't have: - Fixed waist belt - Fiddly ice tool strings - Monstrous hole left from waist belt apparatus - Patchwork of tiny fabric - Delicate - 40 yards of straps and elastic Automatic disqualifiers: Osprey, MHW, Cilo Gear What's that leave? OK, lay it on me. **************** The Valdez is a smaller size alpine pack perfect for one-day routes in the mountains or for cragging when you want a pack light enough to carry up the climb. All the important features that make our larger packs great are here in a smaller, more streamlined package. removable/extendible lid daisy chain haul loops ski slots quick release ice tool loops and crampon straps removable foam backpad (10.5 x 41" ) 1.5" webbing waist belt 13" extension sleeve under-lid stash pocket Capacity..............2400 cu. in.(40 Liters) Weight.......................................2 lbs 2 oz Materials........................500d Cordura Price..................................................$125. ****************** Honestly, I think this fits your bill completely, except for the waist belt which may not be removable (however, when you call and order you can have them make it how you want).

I don't want custom. Aside from that, I think CCW looks like 1990. I'd have to buy a once piece Gore-Tex suit to go with the pack and I can't see myself doing that. I know people swear by CCW and what I am saying is unfair and shallow but it is what it is.

divnamite wrote:LOL! Threads like this inevitable become defending your purchase decision to others. OP got a pack he wanted. As long as he's happy with it, that's all that matters. PS. I really dislike BD packs.

Seems like the opposite in this thread. Could you imagine how short this thread would be if the recommendations actually met my criteria? It's not as though I don't already have backpacks.

cilogear is repairing my pack that I've beat the shit out of for the last 3 years for the cost of shipping down there.

Ray Pinpillage wrote: Seems like the opposite in this thread. Could you imagine how short this thread would be if the recommendations actually met my criteria? It's not as though I don't already have backpacks.

you know what you want in a pack and don't want and every pack on the market does not meet your criteria.

I think the simple solution is learn how to sew and make your self a bitchn pack and quit your bellyachen'