Versatile 40L pack

I’m fishing for a 40-50L pack. I rock climb, ice climb, multi day and single day trips. I’d like to get one backpack that can tackle it all. I need some help narrowing down my choices, any recommendations? Thanks

I have the BD Mission 55. They also make it in a 35, 45 & 75. I think it is a great over all bag. Not super light for those type of objectives, but pretty durable for normal use. It is also a pretty simple bag. Not a lot of gimmicky stuff like other brands add in. 

 Camp makes a baller 40L pack that I love for both ice and rock. Super light. Tons of options. Back access. Etc.

The only downside to Camp's stuff is it's not crazy durable if you're super hard on your gear. 

BD Stone 45 is a good compromise for a all-around pack.

I’ve been very happy with my Deuter Guide 45+. Cragging, winter backcountry hut trips, summer backpacking; very versatile, well designed, well made.

I have a Black Diamond Speed 40 that went with me almost every day I went out this winter. They also make a 50, but it seems like the 40 is the better pack for the design.

Osprey makes the Mutant in 38 and 52, and a lot of people like those packs.

If I was doing it again, I'd be tempted to try the Lowe Alpine Mountain Ascent 40:50 for something in that size. I've also heard great things about the Mountain Equipment Tupilak, which comes in a 45+.

Probably not helping you narrow anything down. Fit and comfort is the most important. If you can try on in person, great, do that! If not, order from somewhere with a great return policy and try several different ones to see what works best for you. For example, my speed 40 fits me perfectly, but it's a fixed size, so it wouldn't work for everyone.

Best of luck finding your forever pack! 

Check out Cold Cold World. Made in Jackson NH. Great packs. I would go with the Chernobyl for a single, do it all pack (50L) 

For the good of the order, someone needs to buy the newish Blue Ice Warthog 45 and report back. It's made in Cham.

Another vote for the Deuter Guide series.

Mammut guide pro 35+7

All my Cilo packs been very good but based on your criteria I would go with the Cold Cold World Chernobyl as "the one backpack that can tackle it all". [Slight bias toward ice climbing.]

Another vote for cold cold world chernobyl.  Mine has done everything (rock, ice, skiing, multiday backpacking, being hauled on elcap) for almost 10 years and still looks practically new.  Sewn in New Hampshire by a serious climber - all for roughly the same price (or cheaper!) than you'd pay a big brand to make a pack in China or Vietnam.

Love my mutant 38. I’m sure the 52 is great as well. 

Mystery ranch Coulee 40 or Sceptre 35 if you want a bombproof for life pack. The Mutant 38 is a good choice. 40 liter is an odd size. 35 is far more common and the next jump Is usually up to 45-50. If you actually plan to climb with it then 35 hits a good spot for not too big but still holds most of your gear packing in.
And I just noticed you said up to 50. I carry a Mystery Ranch Ravine 50 and it’s my favorite pack I’ve ever owned in that size. The MR Sceptre comes in 50 as well and was designed with ice and rock in mind for the end user. 

I have a REI Lookout 40. 10/10 best climbing/multi-way travel/backpack that I’ve owned. You can usually find a couple with minor wear/tear for $40-60 if you arrive early at an REI Garage Sale.

You should check out the dyneema HMG packs.  I've had a few of the packs mentioned in this thread, and the HMG has easily become my go to pack- it's extremely light and carries weight extraordinarily well.  If you are using it for rock, you definitely should consider one of their dyneema models.  They are pricier than generic packs, but are cheaper than most specialty brands.

Rexford Nesakwatch wrote: For the good of the order, someone needs to buy the newish Blue Ice Warthog 45 and report back. It's made in Cham.

I have the smaller version. It's a really nice pack, I did a short review of it on here. The main negative against it are the fragile buckles, had my waist buckle explode. Buckles can be replaced though. 

https://www.mountainproject.com/forum/topic/117241867/suggestions-for-pack-to-carry-on-route?page=2

Ashort wrote:

I have the smaller version. It's a really nice pack, I did a short review of it on here. The main negative against it are the fragile buckles, had my waist buckle explode. Buckles can be replaced though. 

https://www.mountainproject.com/forum/topic/117241867/suggestions-for-pack-to-carry-on-route?page=2

Good review. I agree with all your points. I have been using the 45L Warthog this winter and like it, but share you gripes, and have a few more.

Overall, I like the pack and more or less recommend it. Carries weight better, and is overall better than Arc Alpha FLs and Clio packs. Doesn't carry as well as Mutants but is lighter and Blue Ice climbs better (i.e., rides better/closer when climbing).

I agree that the buckles are fragile and very hard to use with gloves, the sliding style sterum strap slides up too easily (I am constantly adjusting while hiking), the SUPER long shoulder load stabilizer webbing straps are just weird (but easily shortened), and having no way to lash crampons to the outside of the pack is just lame IMO. 

These new Warthogs are nice but could have been better with some simple tweaks. With that said, for their price and weight they are very competitive alpine pack that should be considered by anyone looking for a new packs. Now that Blue Ice is pretty easy to find in the States, I assume these will become popular among alpinists relatively quickly.

I m personnally in love with my Exped Mountain Pro 40 ; waterproof, simple, versatile, indestructible, fairly light. I use it for bivouac while mountaineering and for trekking up to 2 weeks (with resupply) but I think its too big for mountaineering 2/3 days while sleeping in a hut (for this I use another Exped pack, the black Ice 30)
Cannot recommend both of them enough

How does one attach a modern technical ice tool to an Exped pack? Or am I missing something? Every Exped I have seen just has a small loop of webbing circa 1972 to secure ones wooden 85 cm axe.

Rexford Nesakwatch wrote: How does one attach a modern technical ice tool to an Exped pack? Or am I missing something? Every Exped I have seen just has a small loop of webbing circa 1972 to secure ones wooden 85 cm axe.

You re right on this one, that's the one flaw of those packs; my solution is to use what they provided, for the ice tool with adze, for the one with a hammer I fashioned a T-bar with a small piece of metal rod and 5 cms of accessory cord that I tied on the bottom loop of the daisy chain, in the front ; it works really well. 

If you have both tools with a hammer or both with no hammer nor adze of course put one on each side