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Best pack for hiking and big approaches, ~30-35L?

Original Post
mike h · · Front Range, CO · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 24

What's your favorite pack for big approaches, hiking, etc. in the 30-35L range? Looking at the MH Scrambler but curious what other opinions people have?

Not looking for crag pack convenience, more hiking performance, weight, etc. Durability is a plus.

Thanks!

(Know this has been discussed before, but MP search is bad and kept finding crag pack discussions).

climber pat · · Las Cruces NM · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 301

I like the osprey mutant.

bearded sam · · Crested Butte, CO · Joined Apr 2011 · Points: 145

Big fan of the Arc’teryx alpha AR series or the climbing packs from Apocalypse Equipment 

Rexford Nesakwatch · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2018 · Points: 0

Osprey Mutant 38. 

But I am very curious about the new MH Alpine lite rolltop 45. Someone please buy it and review it soon...so I don't have to.

https://www.mountainhardwear.ca/en/p/alpine-light-roll-top-45l-backpack-2094681.html  

bearded sam · · Crested Butte, CO · Joined Apr 2011 · Points: 145

I think the Mutant is great if the Osprey fit works with your body. A friend has the previous generation of the MH white alpine packs and the entire pack is a double layer of fabric. He cut most of it out but seems overkill. I don’t know if the new generation is the same 

Andrew Keating · · Las Vegas, NV · Joined Oct 2020 · Points: 0

Arc’teryx Alpha FL 30 is super light and durable

Live Perched · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2016 · Points: 21

Gregory Zulu 40 is light and very comfortable.  The outside stretch pockets are the most useful I have encountered: big one holds a helmet.  It is less durable than the Deuter 42 I had prior, but that bag was heavy and uncomfortable.  I had it for 11 years hated it for 10, and was very happy trashing it.  

With bags running $125-$175 on sale, I would rather have the ultralight bag with superior comfort for 5 years than the tough bag for 10yrs.

That Osprey recommended here looks sweet.  

I am old enough to have had two external frame packs.  The great feature of those was the padded hip strap (single piece back in the day) was independent of the frame.  One could tighten the hip strap without pulling the pack closer to one’s body.  (Not ideal for mountaineering on a windy ridge, which I never do.). The Gregory Zulu hip straps are more comfortable in this regard than other packs I have tried.  YMMV.

divnamite · · New York, NY · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 90

Cold Cold World pack. Randy will even customize it for you with minimal upcharge.

Gareth C · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 10
divnamite wrote:

Cold Cold World pack. Randy will even customize it for you with minimal upcharge.

My CCW Chernobyl is gonna outlive me at this rate. It’s not light but it is absolutely bulletproof and super comfortable. 

Michael Sandler · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2020 · Points: 28

I have the osprey skarab, but although it fits me well, it is very thoughtlessly designed. That said, with some mods I think it's almost to a place where I'm happy with it. The blue ice wadi/reach both look good for this use.

bearded sam · · Crested Butte, CO · Joined Apr 2011 · Points: 145

many of the packs being suggested are great packs for climbing, though the OP was asking about packs that approach well. Like the thread about sunshirts, light, comfortable, durable, pick two of them....

David Burridge · · Simi Valley · Joined Oct 2018 · Points: 0

Osprey Mutant 38.

Mike K · · Las Vegas NV · Joined May 2019 · Points: 0

I am happy with my Acr alpha FL

Light, durable, and carries well.

Sam L · · Seattle · Joined Jul 2020 · Points: 0

Big Agnes Ditch Rider has served me well. It's got all the stuff I need, and pretty cheap as well

Chris Wernette · · Ann Arbor, MI · Joined Apr 2022 · Points: 0

Mystery Ranch Scepter looks like a rich man’s version of the osprey mutant. I have one of their bigger packs for cragging (50L) and it carries the weight extremely well.

You could look into some of their other hiking bags, they have a really good weight distribution when loaded heavy.

take TAKE · · Mass · Joined Dec 2013 · Points: 191

People recommending the alpha bag on here are tripping - it's light and climbs well but it does not carry weight anywhere near as comfortably as other bags its size. I'll carry a few more ounces if it means my waistbelt isn't literally a seatbelt with no padding.

(Not a hater - I have the alpha 30 and use it for winter climbing especially, which it's perfect for. But in that case Im generally hiking in at least a fleece which works to pad the thin straps.)

Scott D · · San Diego · Joined Mar 2016 · Points: 0

I like my Osprey Mutant 38. It's tough, light, carries well, has a solid warranty, the tool carry system is great, the hip belt gear loops work really well, and it wasn't expensive. 

It's great for cragging. 

For mountaineering and alpine climbs the lack of external pockets, particularly stretch pockets on the sides, is a significant problem for me. I don't like using hydration bladders, so I have to pack my bottles inside the pack. To drink water I have to stop hiking and take my backpack all the way off, remove the bottle, drink, repack the bottle, cinch up the pack, put it back on and then carry on. That's a PITA so I don't do it and thus don't drink enough water. This won't be a problem for many, but it's something to consider for bottle drinkers. 

Kyle MacKrell · · Zion NP · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 0

Big fan of the MH Scrambler 35. Has held up well for 5-6 years, carries weight well.

Tim FromMaine · · Maine->Colorado · Joined Jul 2009 · Points: 11

Alpha FL 30 was my go-to for years until I was loaned the Samaya Alpine 35. Perfect size, shape and impeccable construction quality. Roll it all the way down for on-route application, rope on the outside for big gear intensive objectives. At $300 it a bit pricey but not HMG pricey. I was concerned about the main zipper, but I've been using this pack almost exclusively for a year with no issues. Highly Recommend. 

Skyler S · · San Diego, CA · Joined Aug 2022 · Points: 10

Mystery Ranch has a bunch of different options (Radix, Scree, Coulee, Bridger, etc.) thet would fit the bill. They are a little on the heavier side compared to all the ultralight options these days, but their harness system is the most comfortable I’ve ever used, and they’re super durable and well-made. 

jackscoldsweat · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 15
Scott D wrote:

I like my Osprey Mutant 38. It's tough, light, carries well, has a solid warranty, the tool carry system is great, the hip belt gear loops work really well, and it wasn't expensive. 

It's great for cragging. 

For mountaineering and alpine climbs the lack of external pockets, particularly stretch pockets on the sides, is a significant problem for me. I don't like using hydration bladders, so I have to pack my bottles inside the pack. To drink water I have to stop hiking and take my backpack all the way off, remove the bottle, drink, repack the bottle, cinch up the pack, put it back on and then carry on. That's a PITA so I don't do it and thus don't drink enough water. This won't be a problem for many, but it's something to consider for bottle drinkers. 

imo, an alpine pack is meant to be simple. outside pockets can get caught and rip. I too like my Mutant 38. Although i think the pack is heavy, it carries well. I've cut off all unnecessary features and have managed to whittle the pack down to just over a 1lb. Still a bit heavy imo. For water on the approach, I usually clove hitch 2mm cord to a Gatorade type bottle's 'lip' and clip it to either the shoulder strap or gear loop of pack's belt. the same bottle can then be clipped to my harness during the climb.

jcs

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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