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Best trad crag pack
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BD BULLET is low profile and easy to roll up for carrying. i have used it countless times and still in pretty good shape |
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My vote goes to the W/NWD cilo gear packs. I have found the 45L is the perfect size for cragging or longer and more technical alpine routes. The 30L gets filled quick but can still handle most outings if you pack it right. I was hesitant on buying them due to the prices but since I purchased them a few years ago I have been very happy with how they have held up. I was going thru 2+ packs a year and I' am thinking that these will easily last 10+ years. So the price is justified. I really like how you can take the straps off or move them around for what your are doing. The bivy pad is a nice simple feature aswell. I typically do not use the metal frame sheet in the larger pack and it still carries fine. Look like new after a few years of service. |
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The BD pack and the Miura both look sweet but I'm completely baffled by the lack of water bottle sidepockets. I pull out my liquids constantly during medium to long approaches. |
Linnaeus wrote: 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/$/inclination. Crag packs are no different; I resisted for years but use one now, and my Miura 50 makes for a more comfortable approach when loaded down - or at least that is how I justify it to myself to own a quiver of packs ;)the difference is that climbing rubber soled shoes makes you CLIMB BETTER ... a "crag" pack doesnt ... theres plenty of regular packs that carry a rack, rope, water, etc ... as comfortable as any other "crag" pack ... perhaps better as they are meant to carry loads for longer distances ... and you can use it for hiking/alpine/winter as well the only supposed advatange a "crag" pack has is that it has easier access ... but then at the crag you arent often rushing to get gear on and out all the time, if you were serious about "fast climbing" you would lead up and belay while yr second follows you up with a light or no pack ... not to mention more zippers means more things to break kinda like a 70$ rope bag ... it looks cool but doesnt add anything to the actual climbing that a one dollah ikea bag can do all these intrawebz suggestions are fairly useless anyways ... the OP needs to TRY ON EVERY PACK he can get his hands on ... packs are like shoes ... you need to get the one that FITS ... and everyone has a different fit, just like feet ;) |
Ryan Arnold wrote:The BD pack and the Miura both look sweet but I'm completely baffled by the lack of water bottle sidepockets.That's what hydration bladders are for. Chalk up another vote for the Miura 50. Best damn pack I ever bought. I even use it for non-climbing camping trips. (The outer pocket fits an MSR Hoop tent pretty easily.) If you can bring yourself to part with that kinda dough, I doubt you'd regret it in the long run. And if you can find the Pali rope bag that fits in the bottom, go for that too. Dead Bird gear can be pricey, but once in a while they come up with a product that just hits it out of the park. |
bearbreeder wrote: the difference is that climbing rubber soled shoes makes you CLIMB BETTER ... a "crag" pack doesnt ... theres plenty of regular packs that carry a rack, rope, water, etc ... as comfortable as any other "crag" pack ... perhaps better as they are meant to carry loads for longer distances ... and you can use it for hiking/alpine/winter as well the only supposed advatange a "crag" pack has is that it has easier access ... packs are like shoes ... you need to get the one that FITS ... and everyone has a different fit, just like feet ;)I agree with basically everything you said. The pack doesn't make you climb better, but it can make your approach more comfortable or less tiring, which CAN help you climb better. But you can lug gear with basically anything, and you can do it comfortably with a pack made for hiking, backpacking, skiing or snowboarding, etc. But if you don't already own an appropriate sized (i.e. 50l) pack, and you are going to purchase one, why not get one for your purpose if it fits? Does everyone NEED a crag pack? Definitely not. I have a bunch of packs, but the only 50L pack I have is a cragging specific pack. If I already owned a 50L alpine pack, which I don't, there would be little incentive to get a "crag" specific pack in the same size. Not to mention, some crag packs, like the Trango, are quite reasonably priced compared with any other pack that size. Other than zippers/access, there are often small features that make a cragging specific pack more specialized, like padded sides, freestanding ability, easy ways to attach a rope, heavier duty construction than i.e. an alpine pack, guidebook slot/pouch, gear loops. These are NOT required features in order to spend a day outside without perishing, but they are nice if all you want to do is use the pack for cragging. Caveat emptor. |
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Trango Crag Pack! |
Linnaeus wrote: I agree with basically everything you said. The pack doesn't make you climb better, but it can make your approach more comfortable or less tiring, which CAN help you climb better. But you can lug gear with basically anything, and you can do it comfortably with a pack made for hiking, backpacking, skiing or snowboarding, etc. But if you don't already own an appropriate sized (i.e. 50l) pack, and you are going to purchase one, why not get one for your purpose if it fits? Does everyone NEED a crag pack? Definitely not. I have a bunch of packs, but the only 50L pack I have is a cragging specific pack. If I already owned a 50L alpine pack, which I don't, there would be little incentive to get a "crag" specific pack in the same size. Not to mention, some crag packs, like the Trango, are quite reasonably priced compared with any other pack that size. Other than zippers/access, there are often small features that make a cragging specific pack more specialized, like padded sides, freestanding ability, easy ways to attach a rope, heavier duty construction than i.e. an alpine pack, guidebook slot/pouch, gear loops. These are NOT required features in order to spend a day outside without perishing, but they are nice if all you want to do is use the pack for cragging. Caveat emptor.well lets put it this way an "alpine" or "mountaineering" pack can easily be used as a crag pack ... sure it wont be "freestanding"or have tons of pockets ... but there will be a way to attach the rope, and many of them are built with burly fabric ... crag packs arent as useful for alpine or mountaineering ... they are bulkier, have more zippers to break, and often lack some neede features ... now you can probably use em for it, but theres a reason most folks dont do so some folks use smaller haul bags for "crag packs" ... and if yr going to do a wall in the future or are constantly dragging up materials for cleaning routes that makes sense ... in other words most other packs will "crag" just fine ... in fact the vast majority of folks dont use "crag packs" to put it simply cragging is a pretty limited and not very demanding endeavor pack wise ... so any decent modern pack with a few of the "needed" features can and will work just fine crag packs however are a great way for some of these climbing companies that dont usually sell or make packs to break into the pack market and sell some branded swag ;) |
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you definitely want to spend a lot of time figuring out which pack is best for climbing single pitch traditionally protected climbs. not just any bag will do. don't accidentally buy a sport cragging pack or you will seriously regret it. |
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I may have to upgrade to that Trango Crag Pack. Looks awesome for everything and at 100 that doesn't seem to bad. Significantly better than my current 50L walmart top loader bag. Anyone try to haul there Trango pack on anything?? |
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I would not haul the trango pack. The shoulder straps do not come off and there is mesh pockets, for your shoes. |
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Black Diamond Creek 50...I've owned it for 6 weeks now. I've been thru many packs looking for someting that is top or side loading, durable, and no frills b.s. This pack is by far the best trad pack. Solid fatty zippers, burly hybrid haul bag type material with beefed up bottom for standing upright. Deceptively massive accessory sleeve posterior ( fits 2L first aid kit, arc teryx theta ar jacket, wallet/keys/headlamp pocket, and a small towel. The main compartment carries 70m, double rack, trad draws, harness, chalk, helmet, 3 nalgenes, 2 pair of shoes, food and still more room for another harness or 3rd pair of shoes. Not to mention it has an external rope carry strap or helmet strap for when/if you ever run out of room. A hidden raincover flips out of secret zipper too. I have the s/m size and it carries the kitchen sink. No joke! Love this thing. |
Ryan Arnold wrote:The BD pack and the Miura both look sweet but I'm completely baffled by the lack of water bottle sidepockets. I pull out my liquids constantly during medium to long approaches.Some of us just carry and drink out of a water bottle on the approach. No fancy hydration pocket needed. That said, the Creek 50 has a water clip (to hold a bladder) and a pass through for the tubing. |
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So after a lot of research I ended up going with the Grivel Rocker 45L |
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Just got the trango crag pack that I ordered and found out that it came with a roll of poop bags. Nice work Trango!! |
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True story. First day at an actual crag with the Trango crag pack. On the approach, there's a dog parking a Buick. His pet human proceeds to "hide" the proceeds under a rock. I'm all Dude, you going leave that!? He's all I don't have a bag. Hah! My brand new Trango pack is equipped for just such an emergency. I give him a bag, he cleans up after his dog, life is beautiful. Thank you Trango. |
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Osprey Variant 52, and its backed by a lifetime Guarantee! I've been using this pack for 8 years, never had a problem with it for cragging. |
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A big fan of the Kelty RedWing kelty.com/product/redwing-50 |
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another endorsement +1 for the Trango Crag Pack.... I have way too many bags but i checked this one out at Neptune Mountaineering and was sold on it. It holds my entire Voo/Creek rack plus a rope and 2 harnesses, 80 ounces of water, 2 pairs of shoes, a guidebook, helmet, food for the day, and a photo rig. I have permanent back injuries and i've been impressed with the way it carries. They kept it simple and it works well. I have pack fitting and sales experience but i don't do those things any more so this is just a shout out for a great pack |
ShireSmitty wrote: another endorsement +1 for the Trango Crag Pack.... I have way too many bags but i checked this one out at Neptune Mountaineering and was sold on it. It holds my entire Voo/Creek rack plus a rope and 2 harnesses, 80 ounces of water, 2 pairs of shoes, a guidebook, helmet, food for the day, and a photo rig. I have permanent back injuries and i've been impressed with the way it carries. They kept it simple and it works well. I have pack fitting and sales experience but i don't do those things any more so this is just a shout out for a great packI broke my back and have had surgery so thanks for the review. I'll have to grab one now |
