Crag/Backpacking options!

I did some reading around and it seemed as if people were not too happy about the Osprey Variant 52. Is there any specific reason?

I am looking for a crag back that might also be used in winter and also for backpacking/hiking (so pretty much an all-in-one pack) but the primary application being rock climbing with decent approaches. I would ideally like to have the option to make it lighter when i am not loading it full tilt. But its not a total deal breaker if I can't do that.

Given a price range of at most around $200, I have been looking at the following options:

Osprey Variant 52
Osprey Atmos 50
Black Diamond Caliber 50
Mammut Neon Gear 45
Gregory Z40
Millet Axpel 42/48
Mammut Trion Guide 45+7

Is there anything else I should look at? Which one of these should I go for? I liked the Variant 52 so far but am confused because of the mixed reviews here.

I dont seem to like the other favourite on here Cilo 40L (sorry!). I would prefer stuff I could get from REI since I have a gift card that I'd like to use.

PS: I really like the Arcteryx Miura 50 (so do a lot of people I guess) but I feel like the redesigned 45 isn't worth the money.

I would say go try as many of them on as you can, and see which fits the best.

I have the Osprey Aether 45 -or something like that. I really like it and it's held up really well for the last 8 years or so, although I haven't beat it up that much either.

I have the Osprey atmos 50 and like it alot, with that said its designed for backpacking and not climbing. keep that in mind. itll do the job for sure. i have several ospreys and love them all. just my experience.

I have heard (never experienced first hand) that the mammut trion 45+ is a superb pack. ive heard nothing but rave reviews.

my experiences only.

If you ever backpack to crags and climb I'd recomend bigger pack that you can get all backpacking gear for 4 nights and a rope, rack and gear in. I have 80L it fits good, and it shrinks down to 40 - 50 L no prob for just backpacking. I also have a 32L that I use for long multi pitch + long approach day or cragging. My 2 cents...

I have a Wild Things Ice Sac, which I don't think they make anymore but is about 50 l. Good enough for alpine stuff or ice and also big enough for real light multiday trips into the Sierra. The Andinista is an awesome pack but probably over your price range. Cold Cold World also makes nice alpine packs that would probably suit what you're looking for.

FYI-I've got a mint original Andinista that I posted for $150.00.

Thanks a lot for your suggestions. I ended up with the Variant 52. Was tempted to get the Mammut Trion Guide. Both were fabulous backpacks but the single size of the Mammut Trion Guide meant that the fit wasn't quite right. The Variant 52 fit me perfectly. So that solved the dilemma.

Happy climbing.

I've used the Atmos for years as a day pack. It is a great pack, fits like a dream. However, it is much too small to use as a backpacking pack unless you go ultralight. If you want a true all in one pack, go with something bigger.

Edit: Looks like I was too late to the conversation. Also, my pack is an older model of the Atmos, not the most recent version.

sweet looking crag pack:
mountainproject.com/v/fs---…

rogerbenton wrote:sweet looking crag pack: mountainproject.com/v/fs---…

+1!