Multipitch VEST?

I have a positive experience with insulated hybrid jackets. E.g., thenorthface.com/shop/mens-…

The Mammut Multipitch Chalkbag is worth considering as part of all of your solution. See reviews at climbing.com/gear/review-ma… and thealpinestart.com/2016/05/…

I have one and find it useful. This plus clipping shoes and water bottle to the harness will have you covered until you are in conditions that might call for more insulation than a windshirt/rainshell, at which point at least one pack for the party seems to me to be the way to go.

As mentioned in the reviews, the plastic buckle is worrisome given that you've loaded the thing up with expensive and important gear (eg cell phone and windshirt). I just knot the keeper sling and then clip the plastic buckles together as a backup, but replacing the keeper belt altogether with, say, some prussik-worthy cord is another option.

rgold wrote:replacing the keeper belt altogether with, say, some prussik-worthy cord is another option.

JIC, this highly popular solution has a non-that-evident drawback. When falling cord loop around climber's waist can catch something (e.g., a binner). If the cord loop is strong enough (e.g., made of prussik-worthy cord) climbers ribs are likely to be crushed.

Personally I use 6mm cord to carry chalk bags. To reduce chances of breaking my ribs I tight the cord as short as possible. For me the (relatively low) risk of crushing my ribs is worth benefits of having extra prussik (have actually used that cord for self-rescue once).

I used the Ultimate Direction fastpack as my alpine pack most of summer. Its great to run in, holds a lot of crap.

Just dont try climbing in a squeeze chimney with it

I also hate climbing with anything on my back. For the last 35 years I have used small zippered sacks rigged with two attachment points and a clip-in loop that keeps the sack from dangling too low. Depending upon how much I need to carry (shell, puffy vest, lunch, water, whatever), I carry one or two these. As consumables are used up, I put the empty sack into the remaining one. The sack(s) are clipped to either the harness haul loop or a back gear loop.

This means that I do not have an extra strap around my waist. Also, it is great for chimneys, since I can easily move them to one side or the other.

Wow, Thanks everyone for all the ideas.

And I really appreciate that it hasn't deteriorated into mud slinging!

I pondered things yesterday while driving to and from an appointment in town, and I think I have a plan. I'll post once I prototype something, Going to have to fire up the Pfaff.

Look into surveying vests - lots of pockets and a big pouch in the back (used by surveyors for wooden stakes and hubs). The pockets don't zip though which is a liability.

There's also the photojournalist vest, perfect for extra rolls of Ektachrome.

mountainhick wrote:Thanks for the ideas. Still thinking more of a garment type vest than a pack.

I'll second the recommendation for a fanny pack. The main advantage to a fanny pack, as opposed to a garment, is that it can be slid out of the way for chimneys (in front), OWs and dihedrals.

I used a small(er) one that just fit my jacket, food-bars and a quart of water. (Two 1-pint bottles or a bladder fit better than a liter bottle.)

If you can get away with not having "real" descent shoes, look into some closed-toe sandals and clip them to the back your harness. They're usually lighter and hang more neatly.

The main issue with a vest for climbing is that they are designed to cover a large amount of surface area and so they need to be made out of breathable material. Lightweight, breathable fabrics don't play well with rock climbing. You'll tear through most running vests in a single weekend of climbing.

A heavier duty vest will work, but is likely going to be very hot and challenging to move in. Also, due to design, vests don't do well with bulky items as there is no real back panel to protect you from whatever you have stuffed in the back.

The one exception I can think of is the Endurance Pack by orangemud.com. It isn't really a vest, but it rides fairly high, is made of more durable material than your standard running pack, and it has pockets up front that will help balance out the weight. It isn't very big though, at 6L it is bigger than most running vests, but it isn't going to fit most approach shoes.

I'd look at what you are carrying and figure out how to minimize gear and stash things in a way that makes sense to you. Personally, I've been carrying Evolve Cruzers as my approach shoes. At 9oz a pair they are the lightest thing I could find and as long as my pack is under 20lbs I don't have a problem walking in them for several hours. Traction is good and I can climb relatively well in them. They also make a great camp shoe. Not super durable, but they will take a fair amount of weight off your harness as you climb.

Lowe make (or made) a climbing fanny (stills feels very wrong to be typing that word if you are from the UK) pack. It is flatter and rides a little higher.

I have used a fanny pack (Wild Things made a rather large one BITD) in the swami-belt past, but now I find such a pack interferes with all the crap hanging on the back of the harness. I guess a small enough one that sits on your waist and doesn't hang to low would work...

I also have in a closet somewhere a small fanny pack Metolius used to make that actually fastens to the back of the harness and incorporates a pair of gear loops to replace the ones pinned under the pack. The trouble with that was that you couldn't spin it around for access, and almost needed the help of a partner to get things in and out behind you.

If a vest works for you fine, but I seem more problems than benefits.