Another Backpack Thread

I am looking to get a new bag for this winter probably 35-40L. I want to climb with the bag so i want something that is not very tall so I can look up while climbing. I also want to be able to easily carry avy gear. I’m interested in the Blue Ice Firecrest 38 or Kume 38. I also like the look of some of Rabs packs. Any suggestions or thoughts? 

Mystery Ranch Scepter 35. Great pack, carries well, plenty of room for a full day out

CCW Valdez or an Ozone with tabs sewn on for attaching tools. Take a look at his instagram page for customizations. (Get a removable lid on the Ozone).

If you feel a need for 'features', I was impressed with the ME Tupilak, which is similar to the BI Warthog but less taper at the bottom.

By 'easy to carry avy gear' - do you mean you want dedicated slots for everything? Or can you manage just putting it all in the pack?
If you want a special spot for anything, the Alpine Threadworks packs seem rad.

Basically - you're looking for a pack that has shoulder straps ending really close to the top of the pack. No 'stabilizer straps' up there, or if they are there it's unnecessary.

Look for packs with the straps near the top. If you have a longer or shorter spine, you should measure it and then make sure you buy something that's pretty close.

Read these posts and you'll be able to choose your pack from what you see for sale: Cold Thistle blog

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Joseph W. Dutton wrote:

I am looking to get a new bag for this winter probably 35-40L. I want to climb with the bag so i want something that is not very tall so I can look up while climbing. I also want to be able to easily carry avy gear. I’m interested in the Blue Ice Firecrest 38 or Kume 38. I also like the look of some of Rabs packs. Any suggestions or thoughts? 

Between the two that you are looking at, the Firecrest is your choice.

The Kume was designed and built for skiing and isn’t a great alpine climbing pack.

The Fiercest is actually better for alpine climbing than skiing in my opinion, even though it was intended more for skiing. I have had the 28L for several years and like it so much that I just recently bout the 38L. 

I have been starting to think through building an alpine climbing pack in the 35L range. Curious what features people are looking for.

1. What style of ice axe attachment do you prefer?
2. Lid/brain or no?
3. roll top closure vs cinch?
4. Waist belt - padded? simple webbing and buckle? gear loops?
5. Daisy chains down the side of back panel? crampon attachment preference?

Thanks!

I have the ME Tupilak 37+ backpack, and I definitely didn't pay $350 for it. It replaced my Patagonia Ascentionist 35L. It's a solid pack, fully featured with an internal roll top closure to keep snow out. The roll top also expands to increase the volume to approximately 40L. The details on the back are awesome, especially the closures using a hook system, which makes getting in and out of the pack with gloves on very easy. It's about as good as an alpine pack can get. As a gear nerd who's tried tons of different packs, this one ranks among the best.

That being said, I think I purchased mine for around $120. For $350, I wouldn't suggest it. There are far too many solid packs on the market that come in at a much lower cost.

If I were to spend that much money on a pack I'd check out otterbodythreadworks.com. Their packs look awesome and come in at sub $300.

Edit: Just looked at ME's website. The new Fang 42+ looks sick and is less expensive than the Tupilak. It has a full length side zip which is a such a nice feature.

I’ve been using BD Speed 30 with no lid for a few years which checks all the boxes for me except no hip belt pockets. The (very) new Raide Equipment packs look really cool with back panel access, helmet carry etc but are probably more skiing oriented (integrated avy gear pocket and features) though from casual observation it seems like it should be good for ice as well

Both those are great options, but as others say, the kume is a ski pack. the firecrest is a great pack, and is awesome for the things you described. The Firecrest was designed by the same dude who did the tuilipack from Mountain Equipment, so it could be considered the next gen of that pack. 

Nikolaj wrote:

I have been starting to think through building an alpine climbing pack in the 35L range. Curious what features people are looking for.

1. What style of ice axe attachment do you prefer?
2. Lid/brain or no?
3. roll top closure vs cinch?
4. Waist belt - padded? simple webbing and buckle? gear loops?
5. Daisy chains down the side of back panel? crampon attachment preference?

Thanks!

Nick definitely interested in what you come up with. For a climbing pack my preferences are 

1. Little bar at bottom to put in tool head.

2. no lid

3. Simple roll top. I have an arcteryx fl30 and I think the biggest downside is the cinch top thing around the roll top 

4. Simple webbing. I don’t have experience using it in the field but I really like the rab latok style medal buckle 

5. Light daisy chain on side with stretchy cord like the fl30/40 seems pretty good to me  

The pack I’m specifically looking for now will have to have an avy gear pocket and multiple ski attachments options but for a true climbing pack those options not only seem unnecessary but they add weight.

I’m envisioning the ideal pack I’m looking for now as the Rab latok 38 with an avy pocket like the blue ice kume and a cross ski attachment like on dynafit race packs. 

Joseph. What do you thiink about this pack? horizondesignzco.wixsite.co…

If you want to climb while you're wearing it, seems to me like you'll be happier if your pack is similar to this.

Nikolaj wrote:

Joseph. What do you thiink about this pack? horizondesignzco.wixsite.co…

That looks like a pretty sweet pack. However I personally am not a huge fan of side zippers. Also for the pack I’m looking for now I think a dedicated avy pocket is a must. I’ve never seen these guys though so thanks for pointing them out. 

My vote is the Mountain Hardware Scrambler 35. I have been using it for years and it holds up well! I also just picked up an Osprey Mutant 38 which my partner and many of my friends swear by.

Yeah, that side pocket is the avy pocket but I agree with the side zip.

Ok I see that now. I think that pack may be high on the list for me then. I need to try packs out though to make sure they will fit well while climbing. It’s tough with some of the small companies you never see in stores 

Joseph W. Dutton wrote:

Nick definitely interested in what you come up with. For a climbing pack my preferences are 

1. Little bar at bottom to put in tool head.

2. no lid

3. Simple roll top. I have an arcteryx fl30 and I think the biggest downside is the cinch top thing around the roll top 

4. Simple webbing. I don’t have experience using it in the field but I really like the rab latok style medal buckle 

5. Light daisy chain on side with stretchy cord like the fl30/40 seems pretty good to me  

The pack I’m specifically looking for now will have to have an avy gear pocket and multiple ski attachments options but for a true climbing pack those options not only seem unnecessary but they add weight.

I’m envisioning the ideal pack I’m looking for now as the Rab latok 38 with an avy pocket like the blue ice kume and a cross ski attachment like on dynafit race packs. 

Packs mentionned above are all really good options, I can however add:
Warthog 45, if you want to stay with Blue Ice
Serac 50 from Exped