BD creek 50 for sport climbing?

Hello everyone!

I’m in the market for a new bag and I only do sport climbing.  From my research, the creek 50 from Black Diamond seems to be a good value for the price but I’m wondering if the 50L is too big for sport climbing.  I do carry a 70m rope if that helps.   I do sometimes carry my girlfriend’s gear while she has a day pack with all the snacks and water.  

Appreciate the feedback! 

Creek 50 for everything (that isn't alpine)

Or, I'll sell ya a Creek 35 in great shape for $80 

Creek 50 is great - lets you carry a 70 in the pack and still have room for everything else you need and a bunch of shit you don't

I carry a creek 35 for sport with plenty of room. Use is for trad too. Rope is draped over the top.  

Dan CO wrote:

Creek 50 is great - lets you carry a 70 in the pack and still have room for everything else you need and a bunch of shit you don't

Yes, a 70m fits inside without much effort.  It's also great because you can unzip the side and quickly get to all the stuff at the bottom that might be under the rope.  

I use the 50 for sport and trad climbing. It's great to just leave everything I regularly use in it without really caring how it's packed. That includes a 70m, 20ish draws, helmet, harness, fleece in the fall, rain sell (sometimes) guide book, 2 sets of shoes, Nalgenes, sun hoody, cordalette, belay specs, and some other stuff. With more careful packing it fits a double trad rack though I'll often strap something to the top to make packing easier. The downside is that my pack gets heavier as I forget to take to stuff out over a few weeks but it makes me stronger. 

I'm down to climbing 4 days a week, including after work, so not faffing with packing is a high priority for me and this has met that need for sport. My partners and I usually all have our own ropes and draws and just carry it all in rather for more options rather than try to shave a few pounds for short approaches.

The 50 is quite large. I usually pack the bottom of mine with some dense foam to keep the weight a bit higher. That's with a double rack to #4 and a 60m, harness, shoes, helmet, clothing, lunch, water. The foam comes out if I'm camping or need a static as well. Best of both worlds I'd also have a 35.

I used both and 35 was slightly too small and 50 was slightly too big.  The 2021 version of the creek 35 is a bit bigger than old 35 and perfect size (for me) now - 70m rope, double rack, harness, 2 shoes, first aid kit, slings.  helmet strapped to top.

Partner takes the rope or rack and that gives me room for food and water.  

Is the 50 too big for a day of sport climbing?  sure   Is it nice at the end of the day to be able to just dump everything in there without thought or care about how it's packed?  definitely

I really don’t understand how a cragging pack could be too big.

My main complaint is it will cook your lunch. Black FFS.

John Pitcairn wrote:

My main complaint is it will cook your lunch. Black FFS.

Now available in light-ish grey 

I really like my Creek 50 for most all of my climbing. I recently received a Blue Ice Moonlight 55 and LOVE it. 

It sounds silly but I feel like I keep myself organized a little better with it. I can somehow see my junk easier and can load/unload easier. 

I also like the little things like the way that location of the phone/key pocket protects my cellphone when loaded yet also allows me to retrieve everything when I get back to the car. 

They are exactly the same price so it's worth considering.

tenesmus wrote:

I really like my Creek 50 for most all of my climbing. I recently received a Blue Ice Moonlight 55 and LOVE it. 

It sounds silly but I feel like I keep myself organized a little better with it. I can somehow see my junk easier and can load/unload easier. 

I also like the little things like the way that location of the phone/key pocket protects my cellphone when loaded yet also allows me to retrieve everything when I get back to the car. 

They are exactly the same price so it's worth considering.

I was looking this pack too, glad to hear some feedback about it. Is there also a zippered pocket on the inside?  It looks that way in the photos but hard to tell. Does the body fabric seem pretty burly? 

The fabric is similar but they say it’s burlier.
Yes, on the inside pocket.
Yes, there is a smallish pocket accessed from the top, between the shoulder straps for your phone, etc.
Yes, there are 2 other large pockets on the outside of both sides that are big enough for a water bottle without poking out much at all.
Yes, the shoulder straps are adjustable like a larger backpack and allow a precision carrying heavy loads.
Yes, it carries a full sized 36V BOSCH drill, bolt kit, hammer, rack, draws, rope, etc.

Agreed with the person who said a cragging pack cannot be too big.  I love my creek 50 for all types of climbing, except alpine where weight is a factor.  

I dont think I have ever fully maxed it out.  Sometimes Ill carry a triple rack, draws, two sets of shoes, climbing kit, layers, snacks and an 80 M on top for a day in the creek.  Not aware of other packs that could handle all that as well.  For me 5/5 stars.