Looking for a 50 to 55 liters alpine pack

 Hi, I m on the market for a 50 to 55 alpine pack.
I m thinking about a trip in lands where you need a little bit more equipment that I m use to (read: with no mountain huts...) but I also want to be able to haul the pack or have it carry by the follower while climbing.
My main "do-everything" alpine pack is a 30 liters. My biggest pack is a 40 liters and last time I used it for this kind of program too many things were strapped on the outside, even for my taste (and I usually carry a lot on the outside...)
So I was thinking around 50/55 would be the sweet spot. Sometime that may looks a bit like the Ortovox Peak 55 but lighter. I could do without a brain (pun intended...).
Comfort for hiking is no priority but being tough and reasonably water resistant are.  Willing to spend up to 300€/$. Not willing to go with a 60 liters (because I know I would fill it up ;)
Any suggestions?

Fabien M wrote:

Hi, I m on the market for a 50 to 55 alpine pack.
I m thinking about a trip in lands where you need a little bit more equipment that I m use to (read with no mountain huts...) but I also want to be able to haul the pack or have it carry by the follower while climbing.
My main "do-everything" alpine pack is a 30 liters. My biggest pack is a 40 liters and last time I used for this kind of programm too many things were straps on the outside even for my taste (and I usually carry a lot on the outside...)
So I was thinking around 50/55 would be the sweet spot. Sometime that may looks a bit like the Ortovox Peak 55 but lighter. I could do without a brain (pun intended...).
Comfort for hiking is no priority but being tough and reasonably water resistant is. Willing to spend up to 300€/$. Not willing to go with a 60 liters (because I know I would fill it ;)
Any suggestions?

Never been disappointed by anything from Cold Cold World.  I have the Ozone (30ish Liter which gets used really often) and the Chernobyl (50L)  which hardly ever gets used (rarely do i need something that size), but it's totally bombproof, comfy, and fairly light given its size.  Don't think it's waterproof but definitely water resistant.  

The Mountain Hardware Alpine Light 50 is the nicest pack I've seen in that class. It checks all of your boxes. 

Likewise use a customized CCW Chernobyl for this. Randy is awesome!

NateC wrote:

The Mountain Hardware Alpine Light 50 is the nicest pack I've seen in that class. It checks all of your boxes. 

Can recommend this one as well, I made two small changes to mine, replaced the upper ice axe/tool static cord with shock cord and added plastic buckles to the brain so it could be removed easier. Great lightweight pack that carries well. 

Just went through the same thing and ended up with a BD Speed 50. The MH Alpine Light was interesting but I was worried about durability and it’s ability to actually carry 50L worth of gear well.

The Speed 50 carries well and climbs well. Plus it’s ugly as shit which is a bonus in my eyes 

Bang for your buck - thenorthface.com/en-us/bags…

Can confirm the MH alpine light is durable, have had the 35 out on all kinds of stuff and holds up well. Like someone else mentioned had to replace some shock cord.

Thanks for the CCW/Cilogear rec but for this one I want to go with something a bit more readily available.
The MH, TNF and BD models all seems worth it, I ll try to put them on my back in a store, thanks!
Keep the suggestions coming if you have more
ps: I don't find the BD Speed that ugly...

I’m selling a hmg southwest 55 liter that I’ve used on the grand Teton and rainier with no probs.   Just have too many packs.  Super light too. Nearly waterproof and very durable.  Even if you don’t buy it-def recommend.  

John Edwin wrote:

Just went through the same thing and ended up with a BD Speed 50. The MH Alpine Light was interesting but I was worried about durability and it’s ability to actually carry 50L worth of gear well.

The Speed 50 carries well and climbs well. Plus it’s ugly as shit which is a bonus in my eyes 

+1 on the speed 50.   Great bag and carries weight well.   Climbed well enough.  HMG and Dyneema packs are great but expensive/fragile/ and IMO don’t carry as well.  

Speed 50 is a classic for a reason and my defacto rec for people that don’t know what they want.  

Osprey mutant 52

Also worth checking out the Patagonia ascentionist 55L.  Current iteration is a bit burlier than previous ones and would do ok hauling.  I find it to be better fitting and more comfortable than the 35L.

I also saw the G7 haul pack 55.
 Any opinion on it? Is it only a gimmick?

Personally I can't imagine carrying 55 liters of gear without a reasonable hipbelt and suspension, so I consider the g7 haulbag a gimmick but I bet they sell all they can make.  Definitely not for me. 

The Arcteryx fl is relatively similar and carries surprisingly well imo. 

akafaultline wrote:

The Arcteryx fl is relatively similar and carries surprisingly well imo.

Do you have FL 40 or the AR 55? Just curious because I saw the side zip on the AR and am wondering how that’s been with anyone who has that pack 

Fl40 and 30.  Used them for climbing baker and carried the weight no probs at all

also use them for multi day packrafting trips -no probs 

I've have the FL45 for quite a few years with probably 100 days on it and many overnights.  I can say it's certainly a great pack, but not for carrying weight.  I wouldn't be surprised if this is why Arcteryx dropped the capacity down to only 30 and 40.  (My packs of choice for the 50-60 capacity are the HMG Prism and Ice, but they are above the $300 price point.)

Richard Z wrote:

Can recommend this one as well, I made two small changes to mine, replaced the upper ice axe/tool static cord with shock cord and added plastic buckles to the brain so it could be removed easier. Great lightweight pack that carries well. 

I like the MH AL 50 best too, and did these same mods. The thin static cord for tool handles loosened too easily. I am considering adding an extension tube collar to increase the capacity. I assume the newer MH (made with Xpac) will not be that durable but no rips yet.

I replaced the Mutant 52 with the MH because the MH is lighter, had more features, and climbs better.

The Arc FL packs are great to climb with but are more uncomfortable when loaded. I only use my FL 40 occasionally now.

Mystery Ranch Scepter 50 looks interesting

https://www.mysteryranch.com/scepter-50-pack