The thing is awesome I'm just not sure its big enough to be the trad pack i'm looking for. Anyone toting with one of these bad boys?

I've had one for a little over a year now. Love it. it fits a full rack (double on everything from .5-4 sized Camalots plus small cams and a set of stoppers, 10-12 draws (half sport/half alpine, 60m rope, helmet, harness, shoes, snacks, camelback, small rain jacket, misc slings and cordage, snacks, & guidebook. During colder weather, I clip the shoes and harness on the outside to fit required cold gear (down jacket, hat, gloves).

The removable tarp comes in handy keeping rope and shoes clean. The pack carries very comfortably and is very rugged and durable. Mine still looks brand new.

I had he same concern before buying, so I brought my gear in to the store and was pleasantly surprised to find that it all fit.

Wow thanks dave. I'm super stoked its big enough! I'll be picking one up in the morning.

http://www.spadout.com/p/mountain-hardwear-splitter-backpack>>>>>

Looks like a pretty handy pack, seems like it's more specialized for cragging tho? Can you actually hike a ways in it comfortably? Seems too big for multi-pitch climbing... Dave, do you bring your rope in a separate bag or just cram everything in there?

Looks like you're trusting a zipper to hold everything.

If the zipper blows or gets chewed up, how are you going to get your stuff home?

It's a pretty burly zipper and I'd trust it over some of the fabrics I've seen at the bottom of climbing packs.

So far I'm super impressed with this pack.

Thanks for this thread. I've been eying the Splitter but considering the Dihedral (also from Mountain Hardwear) as well. Does anyone have any experience with this pack? I was leaning towards the Dihedral for the extra space and more traditional form factor but the Splitter looks so perfectly functional for cragging and apparently, its big enough for a full trad rack and then some. Any beta on the Dihedral would be fantastic. Thanks again.