I'm trying to decide which pack to buy. So far I'm looking for a top loader w/o zippers that can hold a hydration system too.

The purpose of this pack is to carry stuff to the climb and to be used during the climb.

Question: Some of the packs I am looking at have large waist belts which help support the pack load. Others have just a webbing wait clip. Will the larger ones get in the way of the harness and interfere with my ability to stow and retrieve gear?

Thanks,
Glenn

i recently bought a Vaude Tour 40 from backcountryoutlet.com and i like it a lot. i was going to buy a deuter futura zero 40, but the vaude was on sale.

I ended up buying myself a Petzl Bug. I have it loaded up and will be trying it out on Sunday at the local crag. It doesn't have everything exactly like I was looking for, but it was certainly designed for the role I have in mind.

It has a webbing waist clip that sits above the harness, but it also has an option to tuck that waist belt inside the pack.

-Glenn

BD 33L for cragging, day climbs, and one or two-nighters.
BD Quantum for heavier burden weekends and longer.
Both strip down nicely for summiting and are unusually light to start with.

You should look at Cilo Gear. They are awesome packs. The worksack 40 L is a great climbing pack You can strip it down for the climb and carry all your gear into the base in comfort. Besides you are supporting a great small company by buying Graham's packs. I have humped heavy loads in mine then stripped it down and summited with it. They are amazing packs. check out the website cilogear.com.