Black Diamond Launches New Climbing Packs

Sneak peak of a couple of the new Black Diamond climbing packs coming for Spring '11 at: splitterchoss.com/2010/07/3…

They look like nice, clean designs. I'll be interested to see how they climb. I have an Arcteryx backpacking bag with their pivoting hipbelt design and I do NOT recommend that design for scrambling or climbing (although the pack itself is way to big for real climbing). That design allows the load to move TOO independently from the rest of your body. Might be ergo, but it sure ain't overly stable for serious off-trail use.

I also like that BD has apparently continued to include a purpose-built external helmet attachment system, a concept which they first introduced on their 1st gen Predator packs. Saves a LOT of hassle and room getting the helmet out of the packbag and having a designed system keeps it from bouncing/clanging around out the outside on approaches.

I look forward to checking these out; I wish they were going to be available before Spring. :^(

BD climbing packs are fine already, I'm pretty happy with my Speed 40. What I wish is for them to redesign their ski packs. my dream pack would be a climbing pack with avalung built in and back panel access...

nice to see them updating things, but imho they would be hard pressed to ever hold a candle as a climber's pack to Cilogear! wonder if Graham is pulling anything new out of his bag of tricks at SLC this year.

Less is more.

Kevin Landolt wrote:Less is more.

Till it shreds the first time it brushes up against a rock, then folks bitch about durability. There has to be a nice balance of the two in my opinion. I have seen these packs...pretty damn nice.

When I say "less is more" I'm referring to design. A simple top-loader with minimal features: a removable lid - a removable foam frame - and that's it. Cilo Gear's Dyneema, NWD (non woven), and Ballistic Cordura are all tough fabrics. I'll probably end up with a Cilo Gear pack when my Wild Thing's Guide Pack dies - but I still believe Wild Thing's old pack line was tops when it came to durability, simplicity, and function. Why'd they have to die? - Oh, that's right, they died because most folks were buying Black Diamond's "full of features" packs. And remember that brand, was it Solstice? They were making great packs as well.

I actually just clicked on the Splitter Choss link and looked at the new packs. The Speed 30 does look pretty sexy, but what's with the big hip belts and silly gear loops? How many people actually use those things? Most folks I know fold the hip belts back and clip 'em behind.

Kevin Landolt wrote:When I say "less is more" I'm referring to design. A simple top-loader with minimal features: a removable lid - a removable foam frame - and that's it.

That's what their current Speed line is, I don't think I like this new roll-top design...

Thanks for the clarification. I also agree...less BS is more.

Kevin Landolt wrote: what's with the big hip belts and silly gear loops? How many people actually use those things? Most folks I know fold the hip belts back and clip 'em behind.

i swear i don't have stock in the company, BUT all the Cilogear packs have removable waist belts. pretty sweet, use it for the approach and either leave it at the base of the climb or shove it into the pack. either way, you don't have to deal with it while climbing. When doing alpine routes, i strip the pack down to just the sac itself (no extra straps, suspension, etc.) while climbing reducing weight & clutter. the removable waistbelt was one of the reasons i ended up getting a Cilogear pack instead of ColdCold World when i was due for a new one. course now i have 3 Cilogears (20L, 30L dyneema & 60L).
seems to me like most of these "we will make everything from carabiners to clothing" companies often fall short. BD does make great hardware, but they just still seem to be missing the mark on alpine/climbing packs.

timt wrote: i swear i don't have stock in the company, BUT all the Cilogear packs have removable waist belts. pretty sweet, use it for the approach and either leave it at the base of the climb or shove it into the pack. either way, you don't have to deal with it while climbing. When doing alpine routes, i strip the pack down to just the sac itself (no extra straps, suspension, etc.) while climbing reducing weight & clutter. the removable waistbelt was one of the reasons i ended up getting a Cilogear pack instead of ColdCold World when i was due for a new one. course now i have 3 Cilogears (20L, 30L dyneema & 60L). seems to me like most of these "we will make everything from carabiners to clothing" companies often fall short. BD does make great hardware, but they just still seem to be missing the mark on alpine/climbing packs.

Sure but you've got to be out of your damn mind to spend that much money on a pack. $750 for a 60L? Get real.

Will Butler wrote: Sure but you've got to be out of your damn mind to spend that much money on a pack. $750 for a 60L? Get real.

that is only if you want the DYNEEMA version. unless you are doing extended himalayan expedition climbing, you won't need anything bigger than 60L and that is only $260. their standard 30L is about the same price as BD's (~$150). these packs are super durable compared to other similar packs, but if you want 1 you can drive a tank over dyneema is the way to go.

Heard BD was bought by Gregory. Anyone know whether or not this happened?

timt wrote: that is only if you want the DYNEEMA version. unless you are doing extended himalayan expedition climbing, you won't need anything bigger than 60L and that is only $260. their standard 30L is about the same price as BD's (~$150). these packs are super durable compared to other similar packs, but if you want 1 you can drive a tank over dyneema is the way to go.

Touché

I'm a little worried about these packs. I went and watched the R&D video on the website, the sales lady said that the pack "Literally dissolves, so you can feel the experience," I look for a lot of things in a backpack, but I really would rather it doesn't dissolve, It's holding all my stuff! Serious design flaw!