50ish liter packs that climb alpine reasonably well

I'm looking for a winter climbing pack, somewhere around the 50L size. I live and climb in Alaska so I need something that I can put a -10F bag and insulated sleeping pad in, along with other cold weather gear, etc.

I'm not looking for a unicorn pack, just something that climbs decently for the size. I have a Mutant 38 which I like for day trips but need just a little extra room for cold overnighters or a little longer. The MH Alpine Light 50 looks intriguing, but there's a fair number of packs in this class that seem like they could work. The HMG Prism would be awesome except for the price.

Little smaller, but I like my Blue Ice Warthog 45

Ross G wrote:

Little smaller, but I like my Blue Ice Warthog 45

I looked at that pack, it looks like it may be perfect on paper. I'm just a little concerned that 45 might be a tad small, but I think it could probably work if I can pack everything efficiently

BD Speed and Hyperlite Packs

CCW Chernobyl?

Have you considered an atx alpha 40? I believe it expands to about 50L

Osprey mutant 52 is what you are looking for

Ryan G wrote:

BD Speed and Hyperlite Packs

Second this. I have a pack from both. Both great. I like my hyperlite the best, but the BD Speed is the best for the money. 

Tupilaks are great and come in four? sizes, the largest they call 50-75. I know the 45+ climbs well and expands to 50 liters at least.

Here's one for a pretty good price

https://www.bike24.com/p2259149.html

Love my MH alpine light 50, I don't know how well it would climb with the brain on, I have only climbed with the brain off. But my guess is about as good as any 50L.

I did climb through 2 waterfalls and belay on the edge of one of them and everything stayed dry on the inside which was great, again no brain I just pulled the storm flap tight on the top. 

Mutant 52 or MH AL 50. The Mutant is probably more durable, but the AL 50 is a lot lighter and climbs better but I assume it is less durable.

Warthog, Alpha FL 40, Cilos, BD speeds may climb well but I wouldn't want to carry 50L of kit in any of them.

I am selling a Gregory Alpinisto 50. All whistles and bells but strippable down to summit weight. Barely used, medium. Black. Will carry any type of ice tools, skis etc. Crampon pouch. $135 plus shipping. PM me for photos.

I’m a bit of a pack junkie and my favorite bag I’ve used and have been using for a few years now is the Arcteryx alpha 55. Simple and sleek with everything you need and nothing you don’t. Good for a day cragging or a multi day backpack I think it’s perfect 

Ryan G wrote:

BD Speed and Hyperlite Packs

Yup, I’ve got the Speed 50 and it has room for a sleeping bag, bivy or small tent, extra base/mid layers, puffy, rack, and rope. Detachable pack brain has room for a camera and other stuff like your headlamp. No hip belt pockets, but the hip belt has two extra gear loops (I wouldn’t hang a ton of cams off of them, but lighter stuff like a few alpine draws should be fine). Also has two ice tool loops. Mine is the neon green color so it’s also very visible in a rescue situation.

Tanner James wrote:

I’m a bit of a pack junkie and my favorite bag I’ve used and have been using for a few years now is the Arcteryx alpha 55. Simple and sleek with everything you need and nothing you don’t. Good for a day cragging or a multi day backpack I think it’s perfect 

Hey Tanner, how much do you think the Alpha 55 expands to? I use a CCW Valdez for my day pack and like the frameless with the bivy pad in there for support but am also looking for a 50ish Liter pack for multi day trips but hear mixed reviews on frameless packs for carrying weight, how do you feel it preforms for you?

for me: BD speed 50 for maximum storage (but still full motion climbing) with the hip belt padding removed, or the warthog 45 for maximum svelt-ness with hip belt over harness.... either way both of these packs are rad for what you are describing.

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions! I went to a local shop that had some of these bags and ended up going with the BD Speed 50. It has all the features I'm looking for and I got it for a good price. I agree that I wouldn't want to haul 50+ lbs with it but I loaded it up with 35 lbs and it handled it very well while still allowing enough freedom to climb. Most of my gear is fairly light so I'm not too concerned about overloading it for trips up to 3 nights, and I have another pack I can use for a hauling pack.

John Edwin wrote:

I agree that I wouldn't want to haul 50+ lbs with it but I loaded it up with 35 lbs and it handled it very well while still allowing enough freedom to climb. 

Go for 50lbs!  I've done a few 10-day ski tours with the Speed...certainly, there are packs that carry better but it will get the job done with 50lbs at half the pack weight and without so many bells to break in the backcountry.  Enjoy!

Sam Wright wrote:

Hey Tanner, how much do you think the Alpha 55 expands to? I use a CCW Valdez for my day pack and like the frameless with the bivy pad in there for support but am also looking for a 50ish Liter pack for multi day trips but hear mixed reviews on frameless packs for carrying weight, how do you feel it preforms for you?

I would guess 75L ish? I just hiked into the Torre Valley for 6 days with full camp setup and gear for multi day wall climbing and two ropes with no issues. It’s a bottomless Mary poppins purse and can be perfect for whatever. I’ve used it for day cragging (rope rack food water clothes) and love it because of the side zippers and I’ve also used it for multi day alpine events with 20 mile hiking days mixed in and love it. The only thing I would ever change on it and this is after years of thought would be I wish it had a single hip zipper pack on the waste buckle but it has two gear loops instead. Besides that love it