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Best of the crop of 15-25L packs?
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I'm in the market for a small pack that is light/unobtrusive as a multipitch pack if I need one for a walkoff, but that's big enough to bring the necessary gear for a 5-8p route (either inside or clipped to the outside) without wearing a harness/gear sling on the approach (under the assumption that my partner also has a similarly-sized pack). Things that I'm looking for: - rope cinch on the top - Waist strap (doesn't need to be beefy) - Attachment points so i can clip my shoes and helmet to the outside on the approach - low-profile - decent durability My current multipitch pack is a Simond Cliff 20L pack from decathlon that I bought on a lark for $25 but absolutely love - it climbs well, weighs almost nothing, has taken years of abuse without any tears, and it's got a good volume, a nice accessory pocket, a rope cinch and many webbing attachment points. Unfortunately, it's no longer sold in the US and my fiancee/partner uses mine when we climb together, so I could really use something in this size so I'm not either lugging my 40l crag pack up the route or spending an extra hour hiking needlessly back to the base. The closest US-available workalikes I can find are: - the Petzl Bug (which weighs 2x as much and has a zipper closure that I'm skeptical of) - the BD Rock blitz 15L (which is 5L smaller and has few/no attachment points and no accessory pocket) - the Mountain Hardwear UL20 (which has poor durability reviews on the straps) - the Salewa Ortles (which has poor comfort reviews) - the Ortovox Trad Zero 24 (which doesn't have any online reviews) Someone's always got something to complain about, so I'm sure all of these would be fine, but what are you using, and what do you like? I'm debating buying something now (with all these Memorial Day sales) or waiting a bit and buying the newer version of the Cliff when I go to Europe this summer, though they've upped the price to an outrageous $45 |
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Mammut neon speed 15 |
Climb On wrote: Huh, how do you like it? Comfy shoulder straps? How's the helmet compartment? I like clipping both my shoes and harness to a central attachment point, so if the pocket can fit a pair of shoes and a helmet that'd be awesome. How's the rope holder? Looks kind of flimsy (it looks like a loop that you can tighten instead of a strap you can cinch down). I'd be worried about my rope flopping all over the place. |
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I like my Wild Country Synchro 22 (or is it 24?). Roll top so it compresses down for the climb, carries a rope well. |
MattH wrote: I love it. The helmet compartment comfortable fits my MIPS helmet. Depending on your shoe size you may be able to fit them under the helmet. Cinch strap is a proper one. Works great if there’s stuff in the bag. |
MattH wrote: My BD Rock Blitz 15L does have a small accessory pocket. |
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I love my North Face Route Rocket (16L), although, as mentioned in the review I linked, it would take some creativity and gear to attach a rope, but it is possible. It does tick your other boxes though (but is the same weight as the Petzl Bug). |
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Not a blue ice fan boy but the dragonfly 18 has impressed with its rope carry, helmet carry and ‘forget about it’ comfort |
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Tufa “Mochilla” is my all time favorite pack to wear while climbing long routes. |
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Metolius Mescalito is serving me well and the express is a very popular cragging bag. |
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A bit bigger than you are looking and not quite shipped yet is the G7 haul pack. If their other gear is an indicator, this will be a bomber pack. |
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Instead of the MH UL20 look at the MH Scrambler 25. It's a similar design to their alpine light (and UL20) which I can vouch for, with the exception of the durability, which was your complaint against the UL20. |
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I use a mystery ranch skyline 23. It’s fairly expensive but with certain pro deals you can buy it for over half off. The material is very durable, the outside compression straps are perfect for putting a rope over top and the shoulder straps are comfortable when carrying a full pack. It also has daisy chain attachment points on the outside. Mystery ranch makes quality equipment and I have no doubt this pack will last me a long time. |
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I have been using the CiloGear 26L Ski Pack as a multipitch and bouldering pack for a few years and I really love it. I found it for $35 used in a bargain basement and while I don't ski tour, it has been awesome for climbing. The outside shock cord is big enough to hold 2 sweaters, and the side water bottle pockets stretch like crazy and can fit an unbelievable amount, like 2 people's worth of food in the side pockets alone. Also lots of storage separation inside while still being mostly big and open. Customizable strap system and it also it has super bomb-proof Cilogear quality. It sits high and tight and is small enough to disappear on my back even when loaded up and it has a removable webbing waist belt which is nice for the approach. At $220 I am not sure it presents advantages that beat everything else below that price and it does not have climbing-specific features like some other packs, but it sure is nice. |
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Mammut Speed is flimsy, maybe I got a bad one but the rope strap buckle and the main compartment zipper both broke within a year.
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It's pricey, but I got my wife the ortovox trad 26 and I'm a big fan of it. We brought it up an 8 pitch climb with a hike off descent and use it for cragging too |
David Katz wrote: Sadly, Tufa is no longer in business. Currently, the closest pack to the Tufa Mochilla is the BTS Ultralight: |
Kai Larson wrote: Man, I gotta be honest: I just don't get it. What justifies the price tag of these $200+ boutique packs? They're not lighter, they're not more ergonomic (if anything, the opposite), they're not more feature-filled, so what's the incentive? |
MattH wrote: Because you can post on MP about having one OP the only obvious answer is to tell your partner to get her own pack |
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Mountain Hardwear Scrambler 25 is a great pack. The xpac material is insanely durable. Removable brain is a big plus for me |
