BD Blitz pack

My old BD day pack pretty much came apart at the seams, it was past warranty but was able to get a very solid discount on a new BD pack to replace it. Pretty set on the Blitz (20 or 28), but I'm curious if anyone has any experience with it and can speak to it's durability, especially as an on-route pack. Looked around online and haven't been able to find any really solid reviews.

I really like the looks of BD's Creek 20 pack as well for the haulbag style and alleged durability, but the lack of an ice axe loop is kind of a deal breaker for me. Blitz looks light, compact, good in every way but does it hold up? could I scrape it up against some granite every now and then without totally ripping it to shreds?

Been using the Blitz 20 for a little less than a year now. I've used it on long rock routes, alpine routes, and mountaineering. I've also used it as a school and work bag when I needed to. It's held up surprisingly well. Sandstone in Red Rock, granite in Tahoe and Yosemite, it's still hole free, though that is probably more of a function of me not climbing all that hard. 

Pros:
     Super easy to open and close
     Simple
     Light
     Tough fabric
     Fully strippable
     Holds a good amount for a 20L pack
     Folds flat and small if you're bringing it as a summit pack
     Flat back panel

Cons:
     Sternum strap twists, and ends up uncomfortable
     Rope strap is quite annoying if you're not carrying something on top. I wish it were removable
     Velcro tool upper attachment points. I've had them come loose before when they were fouled with moisture or snow
     Could really use a simple crampon attachment point between the tools, ala Speed series.
     Not even a little weather proof, but not a problem if you take care of it yourself.

My verdict: Great summit, on-route, or day ascent pack. I've used this pack on probably 30 trips out in all conditions. I'm certainly not the most extreme out there, but it gets the job done for me. 

Matthew,

I’ll second most of what Ian says. Though after about 10 days out my “draw string closure” ripped from the pack. BD replaced without hesitation. I do find that the 20 is a great summit pack / soloing but a bit small for anything else. With that I bought a 28 and it’s perfect for ice cragging. Oh, I own a Creek 35 and it’s awesome for its intended use - anything but ice!

Mark

Just buy it, its the best light alpine pack I've ever used.

Take a look at the BD Speed Zip 24.  It has the crampon attachment someone mentioned they wished were on the Blitz. (Although I wish those crampon straps had buckels and not adjustable but "closed loops".)  The "SZ-24" has the velcro top ice attachments, so again if they get dirty or you're bush-crashing maybe not the best. Nice top pocket for stuff you want to get at fast. 

Zipper SEEMs "weak" but so far no problems. 

Rides REALLY Well.  

I was torn between the blitz 20 and the speed22. I went with the speed. However I did tear the fabric(I believe its the same) a lil bit in a tight squeeze in RR like the 2nd day I had it...since then no issues on lotsa pitches. It functions well., but like any small pack when fully loaded(weighted) on the approach it can be a tad uncomfortable.

Great! Thanks for the input everyone. I think I'm leaning towards the 20, but for those that went with the 28, does it feel at all too big (or "tall") for climbing with? Extra space worth the 20 extra dollars or so?

I use my 20L for ice day cragging or long day routes, also the rope strap can be stowed out of the way by pushing it through the water bladder hole and then through a notch into where the foam pad is the notch is already there I think that's the purpose of it

To confirm how much the 20 L can hold if you know how to pack I typically put on the inside my large non collapsible Blade Runner crampons for the approach, a puffy, a one liter water bottle, a rather large camera, my helmet, snacks, either the rack of screws or draws or Rock gear or whatever, my harness and personal kit, a soft shell jacket and 3 pairs of gloves. Sometimes I even bring a Bluetooth speaker or I might put my shell pants in the pack if I'm not sure on the conditions. On the outside I use the rope strap to carry one of the half ropes. It all fits in there just about perfectly no extra room no unused room. Oh and of course tools on the back. 

I haven't yet had the pleasure of using it in summer but I don't see myself using another pack unless what I'm doing is multi-day or I'm carrying a triple rack into the creek. How much do you really need to go climbing.

I have been contemplating adding a Blitz 28 to the quiver (like I need another pack) but I have heard many complaints about their lack of durability. The one that looks the best on paper to me now in this category is the Lowe Superlight 30  . Anyone have the Superlight 30 and wanna share your thoughts?

I have an older version of the Lowe (older than the one on the link above ) and like it for one thing: you can/could(?) remove the inner 1/4-inch foam padding from the back and roll up the pack so that it was easy to carry in a larger "backpacking" type pack.  Thus, you have a small (I think there about 20-24 liters) light pack for the crag at your 'basecamp'.  Otherwise, mine is so devoid of things like crampon straps, ice axe holder ( one flimsy one, I think), and tough to carry a rope on the outside (although that may have changed) it seems only good for rock climbing. 

You can also remove the pad from the blitz just so ya know

If you've got the disposable income to indulge in disposable gear, then the Blitz packs are for you! Mine went into a trailhead dumpster after 6 days of use. What's that, $10 per climb?

Paul Morrison wrote:

If you've got the disposable income to indulge in disposable gear, then the Blitz packs are for you! Mine went into a trailhead dumpster after 6 days of use. What's that, $10 per climb?

Geez, that's not what I want to hear. Did it fall apart or what?

I realize the OP is set on getting a BD pack but the Blitz's are known to be relatively disposable, some pics in this thread:

https://www.mountainproject.com/forum/topic/114028596/25-30l-ice-pack?page=2#ForumMessage-114032148

The Creek 20 pack is much more durable, but it also weighs much more, and its barrel shape is a little daunting to think of carrying on many routes. My Speed 22 has also held up for a couple of years, but it has a narrow profile that, at least in some circumstances, can limit its utility more than the stated volume might imply. If you have to carry several items while on route that don't compress (e.g., approach shoes and two water bottles), then it ceases to seem large enough.