Multipitch Pack: Petzl Bug vs Black Diamond Blitz

Hello all,

I am looking for a multipitch pack that I can fit everything in for the approaches, and also comfortable to climb with. The Petzl Bug and BD Blitz are two packs I often see. I'm not sure everything can fit in the Bug, but maybe? Does anyone have these packs and can comment? Other suggestions? thanks

EDIT: I have the REI Flash and would like something a bit larger and featured. thanks

If you’re going light the REI Flash works well too.  Also, you can remove the back padding and roll the Flash up to practically nothing.  It’ll fit inside the pocket of a larger pack for the hike in and you can wear it during the climb if that’s an option for you

I think I’ve got a double rack up to #3, harness, draws, misc. gear, and food in it with helmet and shoes clipped to the outside? 

I liked the design of the blitz but it has terrible durability. Mine and a few peers's bags fell apart pretty quickly

GearLab likes the north face route rocket and I’ve found it to be a nice size that can fit a lot but stays close to your back. I’m also selling mine but I’d still recommend it.

Much better than the flash, more robust, holds it shape pretty well. I felt like the flash was closer to one of those drawstring gym bags.

Mike K wrote:

GearLab likes the north face route rocket and I’ve found it to be a nice size that can fit a lot but stays close to your back. I’m also selling mine but I’d still recommend it.

Much better than the flash, more robust, holds it shape pretty well. I felt like the flash was closer to one of those drawstring gym bags.

thanks for the suggestion, that looks way too small though. How do you fit shoes, harness, 2L water, rack, jacket, FAK, draws in it?

It’s a little pricey but the mystery ranch scree 22 is the nicest multipitch day pack I’ve ever owned. It’ll fit a rack, shoes, harness, food, water, and a layer on the inside, then the outer straps holds a helmet and rope nicely. Once you’re ready to climb it holds your approaches super well and climbs well. Not to mention its water resistant and the closure system is flat out awesome.

I also like several of the Mystery Ranch options (I have a skyline 17 and 23 and love both - durable and functional but a bit heavy).

If you have money and can wait until mid summer, the Grade7 Haul Packs come in multiple sizes and look light, tough, and well designed.

Brian Reyman wrote:

I also like several of the Mystery Ranch options (I have a skyline 17 and 23 and love both - durable and functional but a bit heavy).

If you have money and can wait until mid summer, the Grade7 Haul Packs come in multiple sizes and look light, tough, and well designed.

They’re saying fall now for the G7. The thing looks great, but north of 300 bucks for a small pack that is effectively vapor ware is not a wise use of one’s money (IMO).

I’ll second the Mystery Ranch skyline though. I’ve got the 17 and think it’s pretty much perfect. 

Slim Pickens wrote:

They’re saying fall now for the G7. The thing looks great, but north of 300 bucks for a small pack that is effectively vapor ware is not a wise use of one’s money (IMO).

Perhaps not a good use of money, although most climbing gear exists along a spectrum of cost to value. I don't imagine they'll be vaporware, though. I didn't join the IndieGoGo but have been following along as I may order one when fully released. I love my G7 gloves and have faith that the packs will come together as the people at G7 have been doing good things in an industry where innovation is welcomed but not always pushed (looking like a July/August release at the moment at least - although to be fair, it wouldn't be shocking if it was pushed again). If the OP can wait and has the budget, they're worth considering. If not, sounds like we'd both push for the skyline in whatever size is most valuable (or, could even get both and have some left over rather than a G7 haul pack :) ).

Brian Reyman wrote:

Perhaps not a good use of money, although most climbing gear exists along a spectrum of cost to value. I don't imagine they'll be vaporware, though. I didn't join the IndieGoGo but have been following along as I may order one when fully released. I love my G7 gloves and have faith that the packs will come together as the people at G7 have been doing good things in an industry where innovation is welcomed but not always pushed (looking like a July/August release at the moment at least - although to be fair, it wouldn't be shocking if it was pushed again). If the OP can wait and has the budget, they're worth considering. If not, sounds like we'd both push for the skyline in whatever size is most valuable (or, could even get both and have some left over rather than a G7 haul pack :) ).

The website says September/October now, so it has indeed been pushed out again. Outside of that, I don’t disagree with you at all. My use of the term “vaporware” certainly has a connotation that I don’t mean to imply. I can’t imagine dropping money at this point with the release timeline being a continually moving target but am otherwise in the same boat entirely—I could definitely see myself ordering one once they finally get them in for real. 

Blue Ice Wadi 22L is my current favorite :D

The Mystery Ranch Skyline 17 is amazing. It's actually thick and durable, has a great rope strapping system, and lost of loops to clip things to.

Erik J wrote:

I liked the design of the blitz but it has terrible durability. Mine and a few peers's bags fell apart pretty quickly

Ditto. Only lasted for about five thousand vertical feet (no chimneys, even) before getting duct taped and retired to gym duty.

The bug is a great little bag, well made with just the right features for climbing. I've tried the Wadi and skyline in store and would have been happy with any of those three bags. The skyline was probably the burliest, and the wadi the lightest. My friend has one of the older route rockets and it's a nice bag too, though I have my doubts about newer North face gear 

Check out blue ice packs

Blitz is definitely more of a ice and alpine pack, the rock blitz is pretty wicked, been beating on mine pretty hard and it holds up exceptionally well.

Agree with what Kevin said. Rock blitz ~ Petzl Bug > REI Flash > Blitz. The REI flash and blitz are not very durable, and the rock blitz and bug are made of much better fabric IMO. The REI flashes were nice a few years ago when they were super cheap, so the thin fabric didn't upset me much, but they're way more expensive now and it's not really worth it.

I picked up a 22L Flash a few years ago for a massive discount. Took it to different places around the world for general hiking and day use. It served me perfectly for that. The material did seem very thin though, and I could see it being destroyed in chimneys. Eventually a rat ate through it and I had to retire it. 

Got a Bug last year and have used it weekly for outdoor climbing in the Valley and bay area and it feels like the perfect bag for me. Fairly durable, rope holds well, can fit a rack, lunch, and more. Back panel has its own weird pocket. Apparently it's for topos. 

To your questions, the Bug definitely feels almost as big as my old Flash 22. Pezl was smart to design it in a boxy shape. I just wish it had a place on the inside to clip my water reservoir. Luckily, I have one that has a hard back, so it doesn't crumple. 

Hope that helps! 

I like my mutant 22, may be another one to look at.

I’m surprised I haven’t seen the Mountain Hardware Multipitch mentioned. (I have the 16, it seems like the new one is a 20?) It’s extremely burly, hauls well, and carries REALLY nicely while climbing. Also, when clipping it to an anchor, you can clip on either the back panel side or the outside, which I find very convenient. Plus, the stow-away mesh pocket is well designed. 

Alec O wrote:

I’m surprised I haven’t seen the Mountain Hardware Multipitch mentioned. (I have the 16, it seems like the new one is a 20?) It’s extremely burly, hauls well, and carries REALLY nicely while climbing. Also, when clipping it to an anchor, you can clip on either the back panel side or the outside, which I find very convenient. Plus, the stow-away mesh pocket is well designed. 

I had this pack and hated it. It’s heavy, the thick durable fabric makes it move less well, and it absorbed water. May be a good choice if you have to haul your pack cause it seems super durable, but I much prefer the osprey 22 as an every day multi pack.