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Trad Gear Backpack??

Original Post
JasonSH · · unknown · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 90

Yep,.. so I've been using a Gregory Baltoro for about a year,.. to big, clunky, etc. Just not a great pack to carry my trad gear in.
Looking for something with good support (a bad back and neck) but nothing below the 40L mark.
I looked briefly at the Patagonia Crag Daddy but haven't tried one yet. I considered the Montane Torque 40L Pack, never seen one in person though. I spotted a few guys using Mammut packs up at the Gunks last weekend but didn't have time to chat.

Ideas?...what are you guys using?

Jon Frisby · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2013 · Points: 270

REI trail 40 is a great clamshell design with good support and burly fabric.

Alex Bury · · Ojai, CA · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 2,376

BD's new Creek Packs are great, and they make a 50L.

JasonSH · · unknown · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 90
Jon Frisby wrote:REI trail 40 is a great clamshell design with good support and burly fabric.
I forgot to mention I just looked at that one yesterday, I had to head to my local REI to take care of an exchange.
I thought the thing had WAY to many interior pockets and why the heck would you put a gear bungee INSIDE the pack? Not sure who's idea that was?!
Great way to tangle things up. I'd have to remove the bungee from within.

So I wasn't really sold on it, but the clamshell design was what caught my attention plus I loaded it with about 30 lbs of weighted sacks to fit it up,.. it was ok.
JasonSH · · unknown · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 90
Alex Bury wrote:BD's new Creek Packs are great, and they make a 50L.
Are you using one? How's the internal frame? I see it already weighs almost 5 lbs by itself!
Josh Kornish · · Whitefish, MT · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 800

Hey Jason,

Look into Mystery Ranch Packs - Great load transfer and an infinitely adjustable fit for your neck/back issues.

Kurt G · · Monticello, UT · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 156

I LOVE my Mammut Trion Pro 50. I love that the back panel opens up so I can access everything at once, especially since I store my rope at the bottom. it carries really well and comfortably and I can get a full rack, rope, shoes, harness, helmet, and anything else I need all inside the pack (I hate having stuff hang off my pack).

mammut.ch/ES/es_ES/B2C-Kate…

JasonSH · · unknown · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 90
Kurt G. wrote:I LOVE my Mammut Trion Pro 50. I love that the back panel opens up so I can access everything at once, especially since I store my rope at the bottom. it carries really well and comfortably and I can get a full rack, rope, shoes, harness, helmet, and anything else I need all inside the pack (I hate having stuff hang off my pack). mammut.ch/ES/es_ES/B2C-Kate…
hmm, this sounds promising!?
JasonSH · · unknown · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 90
Josh Kornish wrote:Hey Jason, Look into Mystery Ranch Packs - Great load transfer and an infinitely adjustable fit for your neck/back issues.
I had read a review somewhere that wasn't to positive,... I swaer it said it didn't carry well with guys having back issues so I never looked at them,.. I'll go look though.
Dylan Pike · · Knoxville, TN · Joined Sep 2013 · Points: 488

What style of pack are you looking for? I personally prefer top loaders, but others like the convenience of clamshells.

Kurt G · · Monticello, UT · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 156
JasonSH wrote: hmm, this sounds promising!?
I recommended this to someone else looking for a trad pack and they got this bag. and I did months of research before getting this pack, I looked at just about every decent pack company I could find.

EDIT: I forgot to mention this can be stripped down for alpine. you can lose the lid and it comes with a basic strap to replace the waist belt.
Systematic · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2015 · Points: 317

I think you should figure out more specifically what the intended use is. For pure cragging, I would recommend a big, burly top loader haul-bag style pack. I have a 55L that will hold everything I would ever need for a day of trad cragging INSIDE of the pack.

If you want something that you can use for long approaches and that you can actually climb with, consider weight and features such as a rope-carrying system, helmet attachment, ice-tool attachment, etc. I have a CAMP M4 (40L) that is good for this. The trade-off is durability.

JasonSH · · unknown · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 90
Mrkb3 wrote:I think you should figure out more specifically what the intended use is. For pure cragging, I would recommend a big, burly top loader haul-bag style pack. I have a 55L that will hold everything I would ever need for a day of trad cragging INSIDE of the pack. If you want something that you can use for long approaches and that you can actually climb with, consider weight and features such as a rope-carrying system, helmet attachment, ice-tool attachment, etc. I have a CAMP M4 (40L) that is good for this. The trade-off is durability.
I already know my intended use. For my trad gear,.. rope, cams, nuts, draws, biners, shoes, harness, chalk bag, extra layers.
I'd rather a top loader but I'd be willing to entertain the idea of a clam shell style.
A long approach bag.

For alpine, ice climbing,.. not sure yet on that,.. I have a bag i can get away with for that but its beat.
JasonSH · · unknown · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 90
John Wilder wrote:CAMP and Trango both make a relatively cheap crag bag (around $100) that performs well, holds all your crap, and will last more than a season or two. If you want something that will last forever and be really flexible for more than just cragging, I'd look into a CiloGear worksack. Stripped down, mine works perfect for cragging, but put the frame sheet in and the lid on with the expansion sleeve, and it becomes a great overnight pack by expanding by almost 50% capacity (this is true for both of my worksacks, the 30L and the 45L- the 45L goes up over 60L fully loaded and the 30L easily carries 40-45L worth of stuff.
Cilogear is out of my price range, but I have friends who own Cologear packs.
Alex Bury · · Ojai, CA · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 2,376
JasonSH wrote: Are you using one? How's the internal frame? I see it already weighs almost 5 lbs by itself!
I own a 35 and will be getting a 50 soon for work and when I need to haul extra gear. It's not a light pack, but it's not designed to be. Ease of access with the haul bag style design is the highlight, and the hip belt is well padded. Stands up on its own too (like a haul bag).
Mark Thesing · · Central Indiana · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 60

I like my Patagonia Ascensionist 35 liter. They do also make in 45 liter. Comfortable for long hikes in and I've never had an issue getting everything in that I needed.

Brett Kitchen · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2016 · Points: 10

Creek 50, I use one and it fits everything you'd need for trad days. As mentioned, it isn't light but you get a bullet proof exterior material, space for a water bladder, and access in both clamshellish and top load styles. When adjusted properly it rides well on approaches too.

Nick Drake · · Kent, WA · Joined Jan 2015 · Points: 651

I started using a creek 50 this year. Stuffed to the brim I can fit 2 pairs of shoes, harness, 9.8 70M, double rack from tips to #3, 12 alpine draws, some sport draws, two nalegenes, helmet, chalk bag, puffy, windshirt, snacks, hat.

That's ridiculously heavy and my partner would either carry rope or rack in real life, but you can cram all that in if you really need to.

Just carrying the rope or the rack the framesheet is stiff enough to do quite well at getting weight on your hips.

Collin Holt · · Dallas, TX · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 40

I have had my eye on this one since I read a review by peter croft (he designed it as crag type climbing pack).

north face cinder 55

I just cannot justify buying another backpack. That being said this pack looks awesome. The material is almost like haul bag. Super durable.

Gunkiemike · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2009 · Points: 3,492
C. Holt wrote:I have had my eye on this one since I read a review by peter croft (he designed it as crag type climbing pack). north face cinder 55 I just cannot justify buying another backpack. That being said this pack looks awesome. The material is almost like haul bag. Super durable.
You trust a "review" by the guy who designed the pack??
Bill Kirby · · Keene New York · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 480
Gunkiemike wrote: You trust a "review" by the guy who designed the pack??
North Face put out a pack called the "Ice Project". Backcountry.com sold them and the reviews were mixed. The pack's designer, Conrad Ankler posted a reply to the reviews. My thoughts weren't swayed at all by what Conrad wrote. I did like the passion he had for the project.
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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