BD Cirque Packs for Climbing

Anyone have experience climbing with Black Diamonds Cirque series packs? Looking to get something lighter and smaller than my Mission 55 and am between the Cirque 45 and Speed 40. I am partial to the Cirque for it's use as a touring pack as well but am worried about the avy tool pocket getting in the way when not in use and it's ability to carry a 70m rope rather than the smaller glacier ropes it's designed for. Any info is helpful but not looking for other pack recommendations. Thanks!

I use a Cirque 35 for ski touring. I don't think the avy pocket will get in the way, it's just a piece of fabric and should be flush against the front of the pack if it's empty (I haven't actually tried this though). I doubt the pack would carry a 70m rope well. The exterior of the pack has very little structure so carrying the rope externally would be an issue unless the pack is totally full (the rope will probably slide down the pack and end up on the back of the pack rather than the top). It also doesn't carry heavy loads very well (skis + boots + light ski mountaineering kit is about the most I've felt comfortable carrying on mine). I don't think the 45 is substantially different from the 35 beyond added capacity so presumably these weaknesses would carry over.

I have the cirque 45L and it is substantially smaller in volume than my Patagonia ascensionist 45L. I think it's a great pack for what it was made to do (ski mountaineering) but is perhaps not the best pack for climbing. For one thing, it does not have a removable frame like the BD Speed does (or most alpine specific packs) and as a result is always somewhat rigid. Additionally the top closure consists of a cinched "skirt" closure, and a strap with a metal buckle, which I find works great when the pack is full, but when it's nearly empty it tends to flop around/ come undone over time, not my favorite design. 

Other design flaws are the helmet carry, my helmet falls out of it all the time and the toggles to attach the helmet to the pack are not easy to manipulate one handed or with gloves on. The skirt closure mentioned previously has a top pocket for storing snacks/headlamps/whatever/ but quickly becomes a hassle if it has something long and rigid in it (cellphone), because it needs to be somewhat flexible to be able to close the skirt. 

It (the 45L mind you) is fine for carrying my twin 70m ropes and a full ice rack as well as tools and helmet, but there are higher capacity packs with more climbing focused features that would serve well as a ski touring pack in a pinch if needed.

Thanks for the replies, actually ordered the cirque after lots of indecision but before seeing your thoughts. Guess I'll see how it goes