Best trad crag pack

bump for the Trango pack. One the few times I have walked in to Neptune in Boulder and paid full price for something.

SRB25 wrote: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.

Arc'Teryx Miura 50 backpack

This is the best crag pack. The very best one. I think it would be difficult to imagine a better pack for carrying your crag stuff. Black Diamond totally nailed it. Its unfortunate the photos don't show the inside because it does everything the Pipe Dream does but is slightly larger and probably carries better.

Misty mountain gorge pack

I just picked up the Mountainsmith Approach 35 about a month ago and so far it's been great. They call it a 35, but it has a 47 liter capacity. It's got lots of pockets to stash everything. Clamshell zipper makes loading and unloading really easy. Comfortable to wear. The only thing I'd say is that the straps and waist belt are designed for someone a bit taller than myself. I'm 5'7 and I end up cinching them down all the way to get a really snug fit.

Mountainsmith Approach 35

Andrewww wrote: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.

I also have the Hueco 35 and I'm also building my rack up, and although I really like the pack,
I have say its abit small for trad imo. I've run out of room with it (unless I stow the rope on the outside). I'll probly end up getting a BD or Dueter pack soon.

I'm surprised so many folks are using 35L packs, or really anything less than 50L. I used a BD Demon 32L pack for years and it was perennially too small for trad cragging, really it was too small for even a full day of sport (2-3L water, 60m rope, draws, food, helmet, harness, extra layers). I just had my Miura 50 (which is actually 55L b/c it is the tall version) out last weekend and it was difficult to fit 4L water, helmet, extra layer, sunscreen, 60M rope, helmet, harness, shoes, some flip flops, and food for a full day, and my partner was carrying the rack! I can't see owning a pack <50L for any type of cragging. This is with rope inside the pack, as I prefer to keep everything inside if possible.

The old style Arc'Teryx Miura is arguably hard to find. The Trango Crag pack and BD Creek 50 both look like pretty functional, economical crag packs. However, the fit and finish of the BD packs is just not up to the standards of Arc'Teryx.

Hey Crom,

Works well for me, I can fit a super double rack (Standard double rack, double micros and doubles into big stuff), couple pairs of shoes, harness, helmet and all my other stuff, but yea, I have to put the rope on the outside.

The BD Creek 50. I recently replaced my Miura 50 with the Creek. Its all that and more. I like the bigger full zip front pocket (which can be accessed from the top). Its just as beefy, the back not as sweaty, has all the room and then some, and is totally water proof (which proved nice in a downpour this spring). Its Awesome and I'm sure will give me just as much life as the Miura did. I also like the zipper better than the Miura. The Miura tended to put the back into the dirt when unzipped, so you could get a little muddy or sandy if you didn't take the time to beat the dirt out of it prior to wearing. The Creek pack stands tall, but the full side zip allows you the same access to everything in the pack.

I did keep my Miura 30 as a sport pack when I don't need the room.

My Deuter Guide 35L fits everything I need cragging rock. Even when I'm carrying it all. I use a rope bag so the ropes not in or on the pack. I carry a bag of food, 48 L of water and all the pertinent gear. The Deuter pack is bombproof! I've owned it since the second day climbing 8 years ago.

Cragging in the winter is when it's nice to have a 50L pack. I got a Mission 50 and it does the job without getting shred. I bring all kinds of shit! Puffy pants, thermos, Jetboil, extra layers more food and water.. I also like to bring SOL's bigger emergency Bivy sack when headed to the alpine.

whuz a crag pack?

strange how folks have used regular backpacks just fine for decades before companies decided we needed "crag packs"

;)

Anyone have experience with the Cold Cold World Valdez pack? Might be an option for 40L, looks to be $125+s&h.

I love my manmut neon gear 45. Awesome crag bag.

I've heard nothing but good thing about CCW packs, and Randy can customize them for you if you give him a call and set it all up.

Max Forbes wrote:I love my manmut neon gear 45. Awesome crag bag.

Hey Max I found a review of this bag and its pretty favorable. the suspension system seems very simple though, how does it carry?

for everyone this is a good review done of 5 "trad" bags
ukclimbing.com/gear/review.…
of course miura 50 is on top.

im considering the neon gear and the grivel rocker.
anyone have any experience with the grivel rocker?

Andrewww wrote:Hey Crom, Works well for me, I can fit a super double rack (Standard double rack, double micros and doubles into big stuff), couple pairs of shoes, harness, helmet and all my other stuff, but yea, I have to put the rope on the outside.

Yes. I agree witb you that if u hook the rope to the outside (which the pack has a system for) it clears up alot of space for other stuff. My issue is i prefer to keep my rope in the bag, so it eats up most of the room, that said, i still manage to fit most of my gear in the bag.

CornCob wrote: Anyone have experience with the Cold Cold World Valdez pack? Might be an option for 40L, looks to be $125+s&h.

I was actually just about to throw in a comment for support of this pack. I've had one for 3 years or so now and it is fantastic. It's shaped well to not interfere with a harness (should you climb with it on), is lightweight, and totally bombproof. I've used it extensively for single day cragging and have been able to carry my rack, 60m rope, 2L of water, food, and maybe a jacket or so (if needed), without issue. It sits and carries very well. And this is all despite only being a 40L pack (with some room for expansion).

And just to throw in: I've used this one some alpine/mountaineering trips as well, including some all-day routes in New Hampshire in January, and a single-day go at Rainier last summer. It's been more than sufficient on every such occasion. Can't recommend it enough.

Oh, and he'll customize it for you as well. I got mine with the padded waist band and gear loops for $150 total.

Here's an old Miura on geartrade:

geartrade.com/item/286848/a…

add another vote for the Misty Gorge pack (or the Traverse if you want something a little smaller). Mine is being made right now. I've had a Power Pack for years that still looks new. Misty gear is bomber and made in NC. Plus, to me it looks like BD loved the design so much they copied it for the Creek 50.

bearbreeder wrote:whuz a crag pack? strange how folks have used regular backpacks just fine for decades before companies decided we needed "crag packs" ;)

It's just a purpose built pack, like any other. Could I use my old high school backpack, or the external frame pack from scouting in the 1990s? Sure! I could also do a lot of crack climbing with just hexes and nuts, but my day is more enjoyable with cams. Funny how people rock climbed for years with boots or rope soled shoes before companies decided we needed rubber soled climbing specific shoes :)
There's a LOT of stuff we don't *need* in life and in climbing, but that doesn't mean some of it is not nice to have and to use if you have time/space/$/inclination. Crag packs are no different; I resisted for years but use one now, and my Miura 50 makes for a more comfortable approach when loaded down - or at least that is how I justify it to myself to own a quiver of packs ;)