Osprey Variant vs Black Diamond Epic 45

What is your recommendation/opinion?

Black Diamond Epic 45 Backpack

Osprey Variant Series

BD easily.

i own and use the osprey mutant, the frameless version of the variant

ive also used the variant 37 at times ...

the variant is lighter, has a shovel/crampon pocket if that matters, and is covered by the osprey feed me to a bear and well fix it or give you a new one warranty ... you can also get one for $135 these days ... the BD may or may not be that cheap as its new

no experience with the BD

I got rid of my Varient for a Predator 50. Osprey are a good value but the BD is better. I also own a Quantum 45.

Check Sierra Tradingpost, they're blowing out BD packs.

Can't speak on the BD but have a Variant 52 and I really don't like the pack, returning it to REI (not that REI is likely to have another pack that I want). Maybe a lower volume version would have been better but there are a few things about the Variants I'm not fond of, prefer simpler designs.

+1 on the predator 50L

I've been using it for awhile now, and it survived my patagonia trip.
lots of features, removable waist belt, has an extra micro waist belt
top/lid comes off. it cinches way down for climbing/skiing, but is big enough for lugging various amounts of crap up to the crags, etc...

i did see them on the BD web site, under web specials on sale.

cheers,
cor

Is the Epic a newer version of the Predator?

I'm not sure if its a replacement but the Epic is a new for 2011 line and the Predator appears to be closed out. The Epic looks nice, if I was in the market I'd give it a serious consideration.

I just had the opportunity to take a look at the Epic 45 and I think the major disadvantage is that the cover is not detachable. When fully loaded with the expansion the cover just hangs on the back of the pack when you strap it all down. I do however like the clean look and materials but would highly suggest if you go with BD to get the Mission 50. I should have one today in the mail to take a look at, will post a review if interested.

yes, please post your opinion of the mission 50

thanks

comparison looks very similar except for a little size and attached/detached top

I should have an Epic 45 arriving today or tomorrow. Got a nice weekend planned for it, will post up on Monday with my $.02.

I have the BD Mission 50 and am very pleased with it. This pack's design is much larger as opposed to the Epic 45 which relies on a significant expansion section. The removable cover is an added bonus however I am not impressed with the padding on the hip belt and straps, and am curious to see how long they will hold up their cushion. The pack feels very light and the buckles are not anything special. The welded crampon pouch is improved over the Predators design with the horizontal strap across the top...What else do you want to know?

I can't speak on the Osprey but I had this BD: backcountry.com/black-diamo…

and was really unhappy. it didn't distribute weight well. I have this pack for my day stuff now and I'm pretty stoked on it:
rei.com/product/802650/moun…

So my Epic showed up Thursday afternoon. Initially I was pretty impressed with its capacity. Headed out for a day of cragging friday with 70m rope, a decent desert rack , 100oz of water, and lunch. It all fit well under the lid, and I could still open the zipper and get my hand in to the compartment to get my keys without unbuckling the lid, unlike a couple of previous BD packs.

The pack handled the weight well, and was comfortable for at least 2 approaches that were over an hour.

The first thing I noticed while wearing this pack, is the way the load pivots on the hip belt. Still not used to it, but I did notice a bit more freedom of movement while boulder hoping on my approaches.
Hip belt was comfortable, and carried weight well, even though the buckles feel incredibly small, which tests the dexterity of my sausage like fingers. Verdict is still out on this feature, as it seems like attaching the hip belt to only one point may increase the likely hood of it breaking. Guess I'll know soon enough.

So far my only complaint is the fabric. Maybe I just got unlucky, but I already have a small hole in the lid of the pack. I can only guess that I must have snagged a branch on an approach. Seems like this pack shows every nick, scrape, or bump, and mine already has several fairly fuzzy wear marks, which doesnt give me hope in the durability department. I just hope it doesnt turn to a great canyon pack too quickly!

Hope this helps.

I have the smallest version of the Variant, 28L I think. And it's worked like a charm. I got a heck of a deal on it so I am basing my opinion a little on that. It's held up well.
I've used it all kinds of situations. Cragging, ice/snow, even a winter overnight (went rather light on that trip). I have had no complaints thus far. I can work the buckles and zips with gloves on. I think if I were to use it more in the winter, I would want the 37 liter or the Mutant, just to have a little extra space for avy gear or what not. but I've been rather abusive to mine and it keeps ticking. And the Osprey guarantee doesn't hurt.
Not to throw another one at you, but have you checked out the Mammut Trion? I like what I've seen and heard so far.

I don't have much experience with Osprey packs, but I've played around with a bunch of BD's new packs and they're sweet. The only down side to the epic that I can see with the epic over the variant is that the epic's brain is attached at the back. I it's just a personal preference, but i prefer a floating brain that i can expand to get more volume out of the pack.

also, the epic will be heavier than the variant, probably, because of the awesome hipbelt.

Besides that the Epic has the Ergo-active suspension which is FREAKING SWEET! it seriously makes the load seem a good 10 lbs lighter.

I'd say that the eipic will make one awesome crag pack.
If you're looking for something more lightwight but still a great pack, check out the mission 50 or the speed 30 or 40. i haven't noticed anything too special about the mission except that it can cary a ton. The speed, however, is one of the coolest packs I've seen and I'm about to get one. it weighs just 2# 14oz and srips down to even less. the roll top closure is realy cool when sripping the pack down, but you can sill use the expandable collar to get a ton more space.

overall the variant, Epic, Speed, or Mission will all be awesome packs. The biggest differences are size and personal preference when it comes to features. I'd also consider packs from Cold Cold World and Cilogear if I were you. The Osprey mutant 38 looks awesome too..

also, BD has a bunch of closeout packs such as the old speed 30 and 40 on their website. They also have the Quantum 45, 55, 65 marked down a ton too and these are great packs. (I have the quntum 45 and I absolutely couldn't be happier)

I have had an osprey mutant 38 for about 2 years now. Generally it has been a good pack but recently the frame sheet collapsed and become permanently misshaped. For the time being, I have added a frame stay taken from an old osprey ceres 38 to reinforce the frame sheet.

I am in the market to replace the pack because the collapsed frame sheet makes it so uncomfortable to carry. I suspect it collapsed because the pack was overloaded.

If I were to go with an osprey pack I would get the variant rather than the mutant.

I expect my new cilogear worksack today!! :)

Pat Gioannini wrote:I have had an osprey mutant 38 for about 2 years now. Generally it has been a good pack but recently the frame sheet collapsed and become permanently misshaped. For the time being, I have added a frame stay taken from an old osprey ceres 38 to reinforce the frame sheet. I am in the market to replace the pack because the collapsed frame sheet makes it so uncomfortable to carry. I suspect it collapsed because the pack was overloaded. If I were to go with an osprey pack I would get the variant rather than the mutant. I expect my new cilogear worksack today!! :)

Just get a Chernobyl pack by Cold Cold World and be done with it. Best alpine pack ever made in that size. And you get to support the small guy building packs in his workshop.

http://www.coldcoldworldpacks.com/chernobyl.htm \

Loaded up, about head up to the Aiguille Du Midi above Chamonix for a couple days of climbing:

Jon H wrote:Just get a Chernobyl pack by Cold Cold World and be done with it. Best alpine pack ever made in that size. And you get to support the small guy building packs in his workshop.