BD creek 35 vs Stone 45 - Daily driver cragging pack

Looking to get a backpack for cragging and maybe approaches to shorter multi pitch climbs. I want it to last, fit all my gear I have now and will collect in the future, and not be a pain to carry around. I love how durable the creek 35 is and the full zip compartment but it is pretty bulky. The stone 45 has more space and seems a bit less bulky and might carry weight better but not as durable. Really, these packs seem pretty similar and I'm not sure what I should go with. What niche does the stone 45 fill that the creek wouldn't do already? Anyone have experience with either pack or have recommendations?

Don't expect the creek TPU coating to last more than 3 years or so before cracking and peeling. I'm told that is "wear and tear" and not covered under warranty. 

Get a metolius sentinel or express, I have a mescalito and it's brilliant, extremely high quality materials and bomb proof. If you want to be able to dump everything out I would suggest you get a rope bag to fit inside. 

John Pitcairn wrote:

Don't expect the creek TPU coating to last more than 3 years or so before cracking and peeling. I'm told that is "wear and tear" and not covered under warranty. 

I've had mine for over 3 years and its fine. Love my creek 50 - very very durable, and really the only pack that can effectively take an Indian Creek size rack without hassle. 

Are you the guy that was crying because his climbing pack didn't look brand new after some use?

grug g wrote:

I've had mine for over 3 years and its fine. Love my creek 50 - very very durable, and really the only pack that can effectively take an Indian Creek size rack without hassle.

I've had my Creek 50 basically since they were first produced - 2015ish? Used heavily. Still going strong. It's possible the new ones aren't as well made.

I like the Creek 50 for cragging since you don't have to put any thought into packing it. It's just a giant bucket you can drop everything into. Rope bag with an 80 meter rope? Drop it in. Triple rack? Drop it in on top of the rope. Then there's still plenty of space for you shoes, lunch, water, puffy, etc. For cragging, I have no interest in carefully tetrising in my things, or having to think about packing more minimally. (Disclaimer: I also have a smaller pack I use when appropriate, such as for long alpine rock approaches).

Anyway, I recommend the Creek 50.

https://www.metoliusclimbing.com/freerider-pack.html#

grug g wrote:

Are you the guy that was crying because his climbing pack didn't look brand new after some use?

No. I just expected "ultra durable" (as per their advertising) to include the TPU coating. The durability of the rest of the pack (creek 50) is fine. And no, it's never been hauled.

I am a huge backpack slut and I love the creek 50. It's my main climbing bag from hiking in all my shit to do some new routing, or just taking folks out cragging, it fits everything easily and it is crazy comfy to me with very heavy load which is a huge thing to me. But in no way would ever bring it up a mutli to haul, keep on my back or otherwise. Its not that kinda of tough.
Get a smaller haul bag as other suggest if you want true, drag up the cliff durability....BD and metolious make good ones, fish makes amazing gear too and I really want the atom smasher since seeing one, but not even sure if they are still in business.
There is also that new G7 pack that supposed to be coming out they claim to be super bomber. I would like to see one in person of the various sizes to start making any judgement.