Women's climbing/ cragging bag recommendations?

My fiancé (5'6") has been trying to find a suitable bag without any luck. We're finding that any bag suitable for her needs does not fit (too long) while anything that fits is too small to really be practical, and/or lacks any features found on a nice crag bag. She's blimbing both sport and trad, with approaches from 5 mins to 2 hrs.

- Ladies of mountain project- what do you use??

Sorry for any typos- phones are dumb.

Check out the deuter packs. Numerous models are made for woman and these are durable and comfortable. I am 5'1" and they fit me fine plus the design makes them comfortable for longer approaches. I also Ike Osprey packs but I beat one of these up in a year doing weekend cragging and needed to replace.

I'm 5'5" and doing well with a Black Diamond Speed 40 in size small. It works for ice and trad rock, is reasonably comfortable and compresses well if I need to climb with it. If I'm carrying a rack and a rope, I have to put the rope over the top, but most times, everything (except crampons) fits inside. I use a BD "crampon bikini" attachment to strap crampons to the outside, but narrow nylon straps would probably work just as well. BD revamped it for 2014, so the previous model is on sale here and there. Check Sierra Trading Post.

I also have a Mammut Trea Guide 40+7, which is very comfortable, but a little heavier and more expensive. It also does not have a removable lid (yet - I may do a little surgery on it), which makes it less versatile. I was disappointed when I broke one of the load lifter buckles on top of the shoulder before I got it to the trailhead the first time. I was able to find a suitable replacement at my local shop. The Trea has the advantage of having more pockets for organization compared to the Speed 40.

Hey Ian,

We just got my gf a bag yesterday. She's 5'2" so it was a nightmare, your fiance at 5'6" surely has a larger selection. While I investigated the deuter bags after reading this post, I found that they're too heavy, not sized specifically enough, and often too tall as a crag bag that might go up multipitch. Coincidentally the bag my gf found is the same exact bag I have in a women's version.

She got the Osprey Kyte 46 in a S/XS. It's 44 liters, and fits her on the lowest setting (osprey's velcro adjustable back). They also carry it in a M/S size at 46 liters. This is the exact same bag as the men's Kestral 48. With my 10.1 60m in it you still have more than 2/3 the bag free for gear. Oh and she has unlimited headroom, which was the selling point for her, since helmets + looking up all day usually sucks when you have a bag on. Good luck man, hope this helps.

• ***Do any of you on here have a suggestion for a women's 2-way adjust harness that fits a tiny girl. She's sick of these one way adjustments that never get her gear loops where they're supposed to be. I tried to sell her on the Corax but she couldn't dream of fitting into that.

I agree that if taking a pack on a multitouch the osprey would be a better choice and it fits well - I am 5'1" and about 104 and it fit extreemely well. I just beat it up in a year - broke buckles and wore out the fabric n about a year. So I watched to the deuter for cragging and have a smaller bd pack for carrying with me. Regarding the harness question I like petzl but I don't do a ton of trad climbing anymore.

I agree that if taking a pack on a multi-pitch the osprey would be a better choice and it fits well - I am 5'1" and about 104 and it fit extremely well. I just beat it up in a year - broke buckles and wore out the fabric n about a year. So I bought the deuter for cragging and have a smaller bd pack for carrying with me. Regarding the harness question I like petzl but I don't do a ton of trad climbing anymore.

Edit to add - I agree with Alicia the deuter is a super comfy pack with the best hip belt I have found. And I,too, threw away the silly hair thing.

I am 5'7", and I have and LOVE the Women's Deuter Guide Lite. It is the only bag I have tried that fit just right everywhere, can easily hold rope, rack, and harness, and is lightweight. It comes with a stupid flower ponytail holder which you can immediately throw away.

Tom Sherman wrote:****Do any of you on here have a suggestion for a women's 2-way adjust harness that fits a tiny girl. She's sick of these one way adjustments that never get her gear loops where they're supposed to be. I tried to sell her on the Corax but she couldn't dream of fitting into that.