Mountain Hardwear Crag Wagon

So I’m recognizing that I am in need of a dedicated crag pack rather than using random backpacks that aren’t the most equipped for climbing. After a bit of research the Crag Wagon has came up a majority of times so rather than reading what some random bloggers conclusion was i wanted to reach out to the community on this forum. So how is this pack? Pros/Cons? Durable? If you have any other pack suggestions let me know please! 

It's hard to imagine what could actually damage this bag. It's not my favorite carry, but that's because I should have sized down the waist strap. It's capacious and has good features. The key is to load it from the top and access from the side panel, but get used to that and it's a black hole that will swallow a triple rack of trad AND sport gear and have space for more and a rope on top.

It's a great cragging pack. Very durable materials, and carries weight more comfortably than any other crag specific pack that I've tried. The whole thing zips open and allows you to get to anything in it without unloading everything yard-sale style. I've got a 45L liter for sale (keeping the 60L), BTW.  

60l crag wagon is absolutely incredible

Have the 30L, couldn't be happier

Pros:

- Very spacious, can fit tripe trad rack, draws etc., harness, shoes, helmet, light jacket, water and snacks all in the pack

- Very durable, usually toss it on the ground after the approach and so far no durability issues after 1 year of abuse

- Comfy carry, the padding is pretty thick and I never found it to be uncomfortable. Having load lifter straps help a ton (some MH packs of similar size don't have load lifter straps)

- Nice features, main one for me is when moving a short distance you can toss all your shit into the bag  via the big zipper opening and carry it like a brief case, very handy

- There's a pocket at the front (not the zipper pocket) that fits a guide book perfectly, very handy

- The opening skirt up top has enough material to fold down around the pack, so its out of the way when you're packing

- Comes with a light rope tarp if you don't have one

- I really like the green colour of my pack :)

Con:

- Only con I can think of is it wouldn't work well as a multipitch pack, but seems like you just want a crag pack

I say go for it, all my friends that have borrowed it love it too!

bought one of these for my wife and got another one for myself a month or so later.  both are 60L and awesome crag packs.  the only down side i can think of is the zipper, which is a bit hard to move (not smooth) and undersized.

Pretty much what everyone else said. I love mine.

As others— I can’t even begin to imagine what could possibly damage my crag wagon. It’s damn near bulletproof.  

I realized I needed a crag pack a couple months ago and was looking at this pack as well. I wound up getting the Mammut Trion 50 because the cragwaggon felt too climbing specific and wouldn’t be great to use for anything else. I’ve been extremely happy with the trion especially since I got it for 50% off which I believe you still can. If you’re looking for a bag that will literally only be brought to the crag, crag Waggon looks perfect for that. If you want something you could also bring on an overnight hiking trip or non climbing adventures, the trion is a great medium between the two. 

I love mine, but the new ones are not as nice as the ones from last year. They got rid of the super durable fabric and swapped it out with a nicer looking but way way way less durable substitute. No longer thick waxed feel, it's like thin and light. I love the new colorway but I would try and snag an older model over the newest version personally. I have the old one and buddy has the newest one. As far as the general design of the bag, it's fantastic and I really really love it and think it's a great improvement over all the other cragging bags I have used.

Best climbing crag pack I’ve owned. I have the 60L. Comfortable carry, plus plenty of room for a double rack, 70m rope, and personal gear- plus water. I added shockcord to the sides of mine to let it cinch down when I’m not carrying a shit ton of gear and it worked well. Also added an REI hipbelt pocket. Would highly recommend this pack! Also seems indestructible.

Definitely a tough pack, but one thing that drives me crazy about it is how skinny the external zipper pocket is. It makes it hard to get anything out of it without opening the zipper all the way and risking having everything fall out. In my opinion it's a poor imitation of the BD Creek.

I can carefully pack a double rack, two pairs of shoes, chalk bag and 2 liters of water in the 30L. It doesn’t look even remotely worn with all the abuse it’s taken and has excellent zippered pockets that fit many bars and large cell phones. I wouldn’t want to climb with it and would prefer a backpacking pack for airflow in the back for approaches over a couple of hours.  so, in hindsight, a 40l or larger would probably have been a better choice for pure cragging, as I wouldn’t have to be so strategic with the packing. Anyway, it’s great for cragging and you should buy it.

Konnor Kenneweg wrote:

I love mine, but the new ones are not as nice as the ones from last year. They got rid of the super durable fabric and swapped it out with a nicer looking but way way way less durable substitute. No longer thick waxed feel, it's like thin and light. I love the new colorway but I would try and snag an older model over the newest version personally. I have the old one and buddy has the newest one. As far as the general design of the bag, it's fantastic and I really really love it and think it's a great improvement over all the other cragging bags I have used.

Wow what a bummer about the new design 

I just bought the newest 60l after reading these reviews.  I’m not concerned with the lighter fabric of the new one since I’m still using and abusing packs that are 30 years old and still kicking.   Unless they went to an ultralight fabric which I doubt they did I think the new pack will hold up just fine but I guess I’ll find out.  

One of my previous packs the Trango crag pack was made with pretty bomber fabric.  The fabric held up just fine but last week I went to use it and all the straps broke and I mean ALL.   When I tightened the shoulder straps they just tore.    I was able to tear the waist belt by hand. I’ve never had any packs do this before and I’m still using a 40 plus year old Lowe Expedition pack that has held up better.   

Can add more datapoints on the robustness of the older gen of this pack. Took a good slide on the hike out from a climb last week (who would guess 4 yr old Birkenstocks aren't good approach shoes?) and basically slid on the pack a good distance. Absolutely no marks/cuts/etc. on the pack itself, very impressed.

Steven R wrote:

Can add more datapoints on the robustness of the older gen of this pack. Took a good slide on the hike out from a climb last week (who would guess 4 yr old Birkenstocks aren't good approach shoes?) and basically slid on the pack a good distance. Absolutely no marks/cuts/etc. on the pack itself, very impressed.

Entirely derailing this topic, Birk just came out with a line that has beefier treads much more suitable for approaches if you're in to that sort of thing.

Isaac Mann-Silverman wrote:

Entirely derailing this topic, Birk just came out with a line that has beefier treads much more suitable for approaches if you're in to that sort of thing.

Interested. I was just being lazy though, my partner had packed up quicker and Instead of putting my approach shoes back on I just decided to scramble down in my birks hah.

I have a crag wagon.  It's ok.  Burly fabric.  Good features.  

However, I hate the design of the top.  There's no good way to close up the pack and protect the interior from rain.  The top flap is too small, and when the pack isn't full, it doesn't fasten securely.