BD creek 50 vs craig 40

Looking for a new craiging pack.  Right now I'm using an old 65 liter backpacking pack but getting tired of having to turn the pack upside down and dump everything out when I get to the base of the climb since this pack only loads from the top.  

Was thinking of either the BD creek 50 or craig 40 packs.  

Most of my craiging approaches are short so I tend to just store my whole triple rack in the pack all the time rather than trimming taking out what I dont need before each trip so more space is good.  

Was thinking of the creek mainly for the extra space but the craig would be nice if I could get away with it.  Right now I can just fit my rack, harness, shoes, chalk bottle water bottle and rope inside my pack with the helmet on the outside.  

Dont mind if I have to put the rope on the outside.  Think I would be able to get away with the creek 40?  

Any other features that would make the creek worth the extra price for me?   The creek seems more bomber but I dont plan to haul it so both seem tough enough.  

Creek.  Hands down. 

Love my BD creek!

The full side zip on the creek makes it infinitely easier to just drop your whole rack in there, whether it's on a gear sling or an alpine draw vs. trying to cram it all in a top loader like the crag.

The frame on the creek is a little burlier, transfers weight to the hips better.

I've carried two pairs of shoes, a double rack from micro to #3, #4, two liters of water, an 80m 9.5, helmet, etc... ALL in the bag. No need to get the rope outside the pack. 

Thought the crag also had a side zip??  

wisam wrote: Thought the crag also had a side zip??  

I didn't know about that new pack, thought of the "stone 45" that's basically a speed pack with burlier fabric. That crag 40 looks like a killer deal. 

Creek 50, no question. I love the concept, too, of taking only what you need, but in several decades of climbing haven't figured out how to do that yet!

I had a stone duffel 42 but the dog chewed apart the zipper after the first time I used it.  I replaced it with a Creek 50 and love that pack for trad cragging.  It's so nice to just drop everything I need for a day of wandering around Squamish into the bag and not worry about room.  It gets heavy if I'm not careful though.

Crag 40 is minimalistic and great, I love mine, and it does have the full length zip. Wouldn’t put more than a double rack+rope+etc in it and expect it to carry comfortably, although it would fit more gear in a pinch.

thanks, I'll probably go with the creek!

Creek for sure, but the 50 is too big for a crag pack in my opinion. I have a 35 that fits a full trad rack, harness, shoes, helmet with space left over for misc stuff like guidebooks and jackets. Love this pack. 

I know it isn't one you just listed, but I just bought a Mammut Trion Pro 35+7 (liter capacity) that has a zippered back access panel. Lay the pack down on its outer side, and you can unzip a huge flap to access all your stuff.

LccClimber wrote: Creek for sure, but the 50 is too big for a crag pack in my opinion. I have a 35 that fits a full trad rack, harness, shoes, helmet with space left over for misc stuff like guidebooks and jackets. Love this pack. 

How small is your rack? and where do you put your rope?

In terms of the rack, triple rack to 3 and a single 4 and 5.  Right now I put the rope inside my pack, however would probably be ok with it on the outside.  

I also use a creek 35, 60 meter rope, harness, shoes, water, food, double rack to #3, and helmet with a little more room for a jacket or puffy.

Creek 50 would be a monster pack. 

I was looking at the Creek, but ended up going with the Metolious freerider. I can't say enough good things about it. Super spacious for 41L, I can fit a 70m, rack, draws, harness, helmet, shoes, water, and wide gear with room left over. It's pretty comfy too