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Best trad crag pack

Original Post
Kurt G · · Monticello, UT · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 156

Hi Everyone,

So ive just started getting into trad and am in need of a good pack. a couple of requirements for the bag.
im looking for something in the 40-50L range for a full standard rack (and more in the future) and rope and accessories for a day at the crag. im leaning more towards a 50L so I have room to expand. im looking for something that carries well and is comfortable. also an important requirement is I don't want a top loader. im rather slow to unpack/repack and so I want to be able to access the entire bag at once so I can get rope out or anything else my partner might need to get set up for the climb. I would like something that opens in the front. I would also do side access but front access seems to open up better.
currently this is the bag im closest to settling on
backcountry.com/mhm-flatiro…

I would love to hear any input you guys have on good bags for this.
thanks for your help.

Hiro Protagonist · · Colorado · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 290

The Arc'teryx Miura 50 pack (previous design) of course. We've already started a whole discussion on how to find one, just for you.

Not sure if there's a gear review on it yet. My review in very few words...

bulletproof construction
heavy base weight (vs an Osprey which is constructed with lighter materials)
nice half-padded hip belt
great access to gear (brain, front pocket opens all the way through, drawbridge design and top access)
carries well, even when heavy
can carry a rope inside or outside
interior gear loops nifty, I didn't find that as useful as you might think
spacious

Kurt G · · Monticello, UT · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 156

The Arc'teryx Miura 50 pack (previous design) of course.

Thanks Hiro. I would love this bag but ive only found it in one place and $240 is a touch more than im willing to spend. if you know anyplace where its less than $200 id be very interested.

Justin Brunson · · Tacoma WA · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 2,266

If you're interested, I'm looking to sell my Fjallraven Abisko. It's 75L, so it can fit a double rack up to #6 and 2 ropes without having to tie anything on the outside. It's a beast of a front loader.
Basically brand new, selling because I want to buy their Kajka pack to do more backpacking with my dad.

$190, retails at $290

Front view

back view

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BigB · · Red Rock, NV · Joined Feb 2015 · Points: 340

BD creek50

Kurt G · · Monticello, UT · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 156
Justin Brunson wrote:If you're interested, I'm looking to sell my Fjallraven Abisko.
Thanks Justin but this might be a little too much bag for me. I only actually have about 40L-45L worth of gear which would leave a lot of empty space.
MisterE Wolfe · · Grass Valley, CA · Joined Dec 2007 · Points: 8,092

I second the Muira.

Additionally, it has a pretty slim profile - great for scrambles and squeezes.

Long after you have forgotten about the $40, you will love this pack!

Kurt G · · Monticello, UT · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 156
Bryan Manning wrote:BD creek50
Good call Bryan. I actually ran across this in a store and I cant do this one. theres a weird bridge between the shouler straps that pushes into the base of my neck and gives me a headache, I have no idea why they put that on there.
Sean Brady · · Boulder, Colorado · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 125

I've been using the Trango Crag Pack for a couple of months now and I love it. It's sort of the perfect cragging pack. The top pocket is huge, I put everything but water in there as far as personal stuff, and it fits the entire trad rack. The rope haul straps work well too, meaning you can haul rack with helmet inside and still carry a full size coiled rope. I love the mesh pockets for shoes, my shoes are actually not nearly as funky now. I use the snap in tarp all the time, and the guidebook pocket is pretty cool too, as long as you don't forget about it on a tyrol.

Best part is it's only $100 (what I paid), and so tough that I literally throw it down some gullies and features to make the decent easier, and it still looks pretty new. It carries well too - I hiked a 60m rope and a couple cams plus personal rack and stuff to The Book at Lumpy Ridge yesterday very comfortably with it.

dpmclimbing.com/climbing-ge…

Andrew Williams · · Concord, NH · Joined Mar 2014 · Points: 625

I have a mountain hardwear hueco 35 that I recently bought and I love it. Though it is top loader and might not work for you in that aspect, but check it out in person if you can. Most comfortable pack I own. My other favorite which might work for you is the Dueter guide 45l. It is a top load but has a side zipper access as well as the bottom zipper. Both these packs are rugged as hell.

Kurt G · · Monticello, UT · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 156
Sean Brady wrote:I've been using the Trango Crag Pack for a couple of months now and I love it.
Thanks Sean. ive never seen this bag before. this looks like a real contender. how is the suspension system, is it plush or minimal? also is that a full side zip or just part of the bag?
Gruff · · Littleton · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 20

There's so much love for Misty Mountain harnesses...I can also attest to their amazing pack design and construction. I recently ordered their Gorge Pack and in my opinion it's probably the best trad crag pack out there.

Gorge Pack by Misty Mountain

I've used it three days out now. The first thing you notice is the material used. It feels like it will last a lifetime of climbing. The pack has a haul bag style opening but also features a full length front zipper to access everything in the pack. You could probably use it as your rope tarp when fully unzipped. It also features a basic front pouch to hold your smaller items, food, etc. The comfort and fit is perfect for me. Size wise I have been able to hold a full trad rack, draws, rope, water, food, and extra clothing with no issues.

On top of all this you can custom order it with the colors you want. I kept it simple with black and grey. Given that these are made to order (in the U.S.A.) it takes awhile to get it but oh so worth the wait. It's a bit pricey at $230 but about once a year they send out 20% coupons. I was able to use that on my purchase. I also got free shipping and no sales tax. Hope this helps.

Wilson On The Drums · · Woodbury, MN · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 940

trango crag pack. can't beat it. and for $99!? what!? i love mine and have been using it for awhile now.

Sam Stephens · · PORTLAND, OR · Joined Jan 2010 · Points: 1,090
Gruff wrote:There's so much love for Misty Mountain harnesses...I can also attest to their amazing pack design and construction. I recently ordered their Gorge Pack and in my opinion it's probably the best trad crag pack out there. Gorge Pack by Misty Mountain I've used it three days out now. The first thing you notice is the material used. It feels like it will last a lifetime of climbing. The pack has a haul bag style opening but also features a full length front zipper to access everything in the pack. You could probably use it as your rope tarp when fully unzipped. It also features a basic front pouch to hold your smaller items, food, etc. The comfort and fit is perfect for me. Size wise I have been able to hold a full trad rack, draws, rope, water, food, and extra clothing with no issues. On top of all this you can custom order it with the colors you want. I kept it simple with black and grey. Given that these are made to order (in the U.S.A.) it takes awhile to get it but oh so worth the wait. It's a bit pricey at $230 but about once a year they send out 20% coupons. I was able to use that on my purchase. I also got free shipping and no sales tax. Hope this helps.
This for sure. I can't say enough good things about these guys or their products. Their customer service is top notch and their stuff is high quality. That and it's made right here in the US, right in the High Country of North Carolina.
DR · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2014 · Points: 922

DMM Vector Trad Pack dmmclimbing.com/products/ve…

The thing is awesome, the tote-style bag that comes inside I use all the time, the guide book pocket is sweet, the size and shape are great.

Victor K · · Denver, CO · Joined Jul 2003 · Points: 170

RE: Trango Crag pack - The side zip is about 2/3 the length of the pack,favoring the top portion. The suspension is neither plush nor minimal. It's an in-between design. The pack has internal stays with padding between the stays and your back. The design holds the main compartment away from your back, so it's pretty comfortable.
It's not as refined as the other packs mentioned, but at $100, the bang for the buck is HUGE. I love mine.

Kurt G · · Monticello, UT · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 156
Victor K wrote:RE: Trango Crag pack - The side zip is about 2/3 the length of the pack,favoring the top portion.
Victor does the zipper actually go into the top opening so it folds away or does it stop short so there's only side access. from the pics I've found it looks like it stops short or both ends.
Linnaeus · · ID · Joined Aug 2011 · Points: 0
kurt gregory wrote:The Arc'teryx Miura 50 pack (previous design) of course. Thanks Hiro. I would love this bag but ive only found it in one place...
They come up for sale on MP now and again. They are also frequently on Ebay. I just got mine, took around a year of on-and-off looking, but I wanted a size Tall which is hard to find. Ultimately found it on CL across the country by a google search. Excellent pack.
Wilson On The Drums · · Woodbury, MN · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 940
Victor K wrote:The side zip is about 2/3 the length of the pack.
the side zip starts 1/2 inch from the top of the bag and stops about 6 inches from the bottom. about 2/3 the length as mentioned.
SRB25 · · Woodside, ca · Joined Nov 2014 · Points: 5

I've heard about the miura how do you tell between the old design and new one. Can someone attach a photo? I just bought a BD axis 33 and it fits a ton of trad gear with helmet pouch and rope strap. The problem is the pack isn't designed by backpack company so it doesn't fit that well. So I'm interested in the Miura. Thanks in advance.

Andrew Williams · · Concord, NH · Joined Mar 2014 · Points: 625

Just saw one of those trango crag packs new on eBay for $75 buy it now.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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