Backpacks
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Well I went outside climbing for the first time today and had a blast! Thanks John. |
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For climbing, a 70L pack is way too big. There's nothing "wrong" with using a pack that's too big for cragging, but it's unnecessary weight and bulk. That's about expedition size, so maybe you want to use it for week-long backpacking trips, too? |
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Most anything with a frame will suck to have on your back as your climbing because it won't let your back move very well. 75 litres is WAY too big for a climbing backpack. |
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70 liters is huge! Thats a full scale backpacking bag good for a week long trip. The Osprey Volt is a great bag, but it really would only apply to climbing if you were on an expedition, headed somewhere to camp out and do a lot of climbing. 40/45 liters is all you should ever need for a day of rock climbing. Climbing specific bags are great and have lots of features designed around climbing in general that are really convenient if you do a lot of climbing. I climb multiple days a week, so a climbing bag is great because of the added convenience. If your only climbing a few times a month it's probably another expense you don't need. Most people have crag bag's, that you can use and carry your stuff to the crag for the the day. These are awesome. There are different bags for taking to the crag, hitting a quick summit in the winter, or carrying up a multi-pitch climb. For multi-pitch climbs, you'll need a small day bag like the REI Flash 18 or the BD Dart bag. When your doing multi-pitch stuff, depending on the situation, you walk in geared up or carry a big bag and leave it at the bottom if your not worried about it getting stolen. No one climb's with a 70 liter bag, and theres no way you would need to carry that much stuff unless you were backpacking. You need to decide how much climbing your going to be doing, and if you want a 40/50 liter bag that works for backpacking and climbing, or a climbing specific bag. With that being said.. |
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I am a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to backpacks and packing. I have had really great success with my osprey talon 44L as a good all around crag pack. I wouldn't cart it up a route, but I don't climb all day routes. I think the talon has just enough space to be comfortable. I can easily toss lunch, water, draws, harness, two sets of shoes, sunscreen, light layers, etc. in it without having to play Tetris with my stuff every time we move to a different climb. A trad rack with doubles also fits nicely. |
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Mathias wrote:I don't like buying things twice when I don't have to so, what size of pack should I be looking for? I'm thinking 70L but I'm not sure. Are there any real advantages to having a climbing specific pack vs just getting a solid backpacking pack?If you are just doing a day of multi-pitch trad and want to carry water, snacks, shoes, jacket... etc, get something about 20L. REI Flash 18s are popular. There also are better ones that may cost more. For a cragging, alpine, or an overnight pack, I agree that 75 is way too big. I have a Mammut Trion Guide 45+7 and I highly recommend it. It expands to hold a ton of gear, and will also cinch down to almost nothing while climbing. Very comfortable, even loaded, and bomber. Whatever you get, definitely look for one that is climbing specific. Besides having features like gear and axe loops, crampon pockets, etc., they will move more comfortably while climbing. Regular packs may carry too high or low on the back and interfere with your harness, or not allow you to look up while wearing a helmet, for example. |
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Thanks for the replies,everyone. |
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Mathias wrote:Can you all really fit a rope, trad rack, shoes, helmet, harness, extra layers, food, water, and all those other bits and pieces into a 40L? I've got a 38L for hiking and I can't imagine getting all that into that little pack.Yep. Seriously... full rack, slings/cords/draws, harness, extra layers, food, water, and helmet all inside. Little items in the top pack. Rope coiled and strapped outside and underneath the top pack (it has great specific straps for this). Shoes and chalk bag clipped on the back loops. Carries comfortably. |
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Depending on some logistics like how big your rope is and how much stuff you bring it could all fit in a 40. A cheat that helps a lot if you stick the rope under the brain if your pack so it is perpendicular to your back. That helps save a lot of room. |
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Well okay. I'll start looking in the 40-50L area. I prefer a little extra space in a pack but 30L is a lot of extra space. |
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I usually crag with a 30L. You must have a fun partner if you're carrying the rope and a full rack. |
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I'm gonna second the Mammut Neon Gear 45 for single pitch crag days. It holds all my anchor gear, my double trad rack, food, water, harness, and a layer inside. Shoes, helmet, and rope go outside. I really dig the back zipper. It allows me to get to things at the very bottom of my pack without pulling everything out. The rope bag and chalk bag are great too! |
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Both the Mammut Trion and Neon look good. It seems the Neon has more pockets but is perhaps less comfortable for longer approaches. |
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Mountain Hardwear Splitter 40! I got mine with my REI Dividend this year and I love it. The rope strap on the outside is an awesome feature and the inner pockets are great for organizing your gear. I generally fit my shoes, harness, chalk bag, quick draws, lunch, and helmet inside with ease. If you don't use the compression feature that holds your draws to your back and instead let them rest in the bottom of the pack you can also fit a hydration bladder in there even though it's not designed to do so. Oh and it comes with a rope tarp! |
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outdoorgearlab.com/climbing…
I've found this site to help out with any research in what to get next. It depends on what you all plan on fitting in the pack. I recently got a Petzl Bug (18L) and love it, and it works great for a small day pack, and has straps to tie a rope in on the bottom of it, and is pretty loaded with cool features. It's great for a daypack, or smaller gear bag. |
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I've had a Cilogear Worksack for several years now and it is still kicking strong after a ton of use. It's a 35, expands to 45, and with the lid there's probably another 5 or so. I use it for nearly everything, even cinched down as a day back in the mountains it outperforms other packs I've used. It gets dragged around at dirty crags (easily holds everything for cragging), gets stuffed with 4-5 days of back backing gear and hauled miles into the back country, has been used on a ton of day trips in the alpine, summer and winter conditions, and I spent a season up at Silverton Mountain riding with it as a winter slack-country pack every weekend. Sometimes I get frustrated with it and think I need to find some specialty pack, then I buy and use something else and realize the Worksack is better. I've yet to find a pack as versatile as it is. |
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Mathias wrote:Both the Mammut Trion and Neon look good. It seems the Neon has more pockets but is perhaps less comfortable for longer approaches.I'll weigh in on the Trion packs. I've got the Trion Light 55+ and a climbing buddy of mine has the Trion Pro 35+7. The Light 55+ is probably a bit big for a day climbing pack but it does come in a 28+ and 40+ size also. What I love about the 55+ is that it's super light (1kg) and if you want to pair the weight down even more you can remove the hipbelt and toplid. The Trion Pro on the otherhand is a bit heavier but made out of more burley fabric, which if you're using it as a cragging pack would probably help. Last thing - since Mammut is still seen as a 'smaller' brand in the US - you can usually find their stuff on sale at a really good price compared to other top range brands. Just my 2c but good luck with the search. |
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The neon gear definietly isn't the most comfy, but I've hiked well over a mile on some approaches with a heavy heavy rack and didn't think it was too bad. The trion is definietly more comfortable. If you can, try to find a local store you can check them out at. |
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So I haven't check in the basement yet but I realized I have/had a very tough 41L. I retired it from hiking because it's 15 years old and wasn't made with a breathable back pad, so consequently it's pretty uncomfortable on long hikes. But it's still in very good condition and I'm sure it's around somewhere. It'll keep me going til I can get to some well stocked stores and look at as many packs as possible. |
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What's wrong with the 38L pack you currently own? |
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The 38L I currently have is set up for hiking. There's a bunch of stuff in it that I just don't need for a trip to the crag. I like to be over prepared when hiking so it's pretty stuffed and I'm not a big fan of repacking every time I go out. So there's nothing wrong with it, it's just occupied. |