BD speed 30/40 vs. epic 35

hey guys I'm looking for a new alpine pack for single day pushes and possibly light overnights. Mainly looking for something during winter for ice/alpine climbing. I think I've narrowed it down to the above two packs and I'd love to hear your reviews and thoughts on them.

I can't really find that many differences between the two aside from weight...3lbs 5 oz vs. 2lbs 9oz. Any idea of other differences that would sway you one way or the other?

Thanks

Seth

I have an Epic 45 from a few years ago, and I'd definitely go with a Speed if I needed another pack this size. Especially for climbing movement, the ErgoActive pivoting hipbelt is dumb. The speeds are much more strip-able, lighter, and better for actual climbing IMO.

Thanks man!

The Epic has one of the worst hipbelt designs I've seen in an Alpine pack. When you remove the belt there is a large plastic hole left over. The Speed 30/40 has a non removable waist belt. I have the last model of Speed 40 and waist belt ruins the pack.

Ray Pinpillage wrote:The Axis has one of the worst hipbelt designs I've seen in an Alpine pack. When you remove the belt there is a large plastic hole left over. The Speed 30/40 has a non removable waist belt. I have the last model of Speed 40 and waist belt ruins the pack.

Beean wrote: You should be able to remove the foam padding from the waist belt. You're left with a webbing belt which can be passed around behind the pack, out of the way. At least that's how it is on my Speed 30.

Doesn't sound like many great reviews on these packs huh?

Hey Seth,

I own waaaay too many BD packs. I have the speed backpack in 3 different sizes (22, 45, 55) and and epic 35

Most of the basic features are the same (rope carry, crampon attachement, ice tool carriers)

The Speed backpacks are better at removing pieces like the brain. You can strip them down just a little bit more

The Epic has a more robust suspension system for the hips that I like more for a single day out. But you can't take it off.

I like the Speed backpacks more for times when I'm hauling in different loads than what I'm climbing with.

Also something to consider, check out the materials on the backpacks. BD went for a lighter but less durable material for some of their latest models of the speed backpacks.

Lastly, Outdoor gear labs .com does a review on some of the BD packs. They think that some of the BD pack features are more of a novelty than useful features. Check it out!

In general the BD packs are workhorses that are less expensive than some other packs out there, but they get shit done!!!

-Adam

I was using the Epic 45 and just got the Speed 40.

The Epic was okay, but I wasn't a fan of the padding/belt on the waist. It was heavy and bulky, as was the pack overall compared to the Speed.

I've only been using the Speed for a few days but I love it so far. It's lighter but still has plenty of support, the extendable lid is a much better design than the Epic's fixed lid, and I also like the rope strap better. I use this as a day pack and will use it for one night fast and light overnights, and it is both small and big enough for both.

I haven't used it stripped yet but if I did I wouldn't mind the non-removable waist webbing, as long as the padding is removable.

I'll do an extended review once I've used it some more, but so far I'm very happy with my new Speed 40.

I have the new Speed 30 pack and love it too. It can carry my double rack, rope, food, water, and extra clothes for the hike in and then can be made pretty small to be on your back for a good multi pitch day.

So off topic question....

What in the hell do you guys pack to do a multi-day or overnight trip with only a 20-28 liter pack?????

Seriously, I'm getting a lot better at fast/light/less gear but I'm still not sub 30L lol. Help?!?

Seth