CRAG BAGS?

James T wrote:

I have an odd obsession with packs made by people in garages and highly support people like Russ (Fish) and Josh (TUFA). I've also spent plenty of time in my own garage sweating over an old Singer and can tell you that there is a high degree of satisfaction carting your sh*t around in something you cobbled together. 

Spend the extra few bucks and get something made by someone who both sews and climbs - I bet you'll be happier*

* if not sell it to me

Not to put down or diminish the guys at Fish, TUFA, Runout, etc, because they make awesome stuff. But, I think people forget that the people behind the designs at bigger companies also climb. They may not do the actual sewing, but they use the stuff they design. I know the guy at Tendon that designed their new gear bag is a very avid climber, he designed something that he would want to use every day at the crag. The guys at Black Diamond climb, I'm sure they didn't set out to design something they would hate to use. Metolius, again, full of climbers. The only difference between any of them is that they each, like us, have a different idea of what makes the perfect bag for them. Some want a big heavy duty sack they can just shove all of their stuff in. Some want lots of pockets. Some want something they can climb multi-pitch with. Lots of options out there, I bet someone has a similar idea to yours and has made it. If not, then get to sewing. 

Darren Mabe wrote:

Ikea bag if its short approach. Osprey kid carrier makes best crag pack imo for longer approaches

Which model of Osprey are you using?

Creek is legit. Gear loops are pointless, who has time to clip stuff in and out of loops inside your pack. Just toss the rack in and go. Get a bag with a big zipper to open the mouth wider; dropping a big rack into a pack with a small opening is like threading a needle.

Ryan Hamilton wrote:

Not to put down or diminish the guys at Fish, TUFA, Runout, etc, because they make awesome stuff. But, I think people forget that the people behind the designs at bigger companies also climb. 

True! And I'm not here to bash big brands or their gear. I own, use and enjoy plenty of it. It's also hard to justify spending more than $50 for a pack that you only carry 50ft (but "cragging" means different things to different people)

Brendan Chura wrote:

Doesn't really meet your requests for gear loops criteria but I've been using the Patagonia Crag Daddy 45L. It's nice to just throw everything in there and it's a real comfortable pack for the longer approaches. Rope storage too. Just a thought. 

I've been using a 45L "Crag Daddy" for a few months and it's a good option, though it's not perfect. 

Pros -

It's big and stores a lot

I got mine on sale from Patagonia for just $60, so it can be found for a good price

It's easy to load and unload thanks to the duffel closure

The outside pockets are big and stretchy and great for throwing in your assorted small items when you're just trying to relocate to a nearby climb

Rope can go inside or outside for really big loads

The suspension is comfortable

Cons -

It's called the "Crag Daddy"

When it's really full, the closure system puts stress on the zipper. It's held up ok so far, but I imagine this may ultimately limit its lifespan

When it's really filled, it bulges out into a wide oval shape that's not ideal for stability and looks kinda funny

Because of the duffel-opening, you have to lay this thing down to access what's inside and not spill the contents. This means that the part that will be against your back will end up in the dirt..

I find the sizing to be imperfect. The big one is a little too long for my back and the short one is too short.

Not made for it at all. But I use my early version Hyperlite 2400 windrider. Rack, rope, water, helmet, shoes, harness. Has held up very well considering how light the material is.

If you're going to be bringing a rope, draws, helmet, shoes and harness then you pretty much need a 40L. You can squeeze it all into a 35L, but it's tight and I usually have to hang my helmet on the outside of the pack. I own and use the Crag Daddy, but it's the bag where I keep the shoes and harnesses for my 3 daughters when we go to the gym. Plenty of room for all of that plus the couple extra pairs of shoes that I keep handy for when one of them inevitably says, my shoes are too tight and refuses to wear them anymore. I used it once as an actual crag pack and didn't like that I had to lay it down to keep stuff from falling out. Dirt and pine needles lodge themselves into the shoulder straps and back panel. 

My personal favorite crag pack is the Metolius Freerider. 41 liters, a pocket for personal items, plenty of room for everything and really durable. 

http://www.coldcoldworldpacks.com/ozone.htm

It fits a full day's worth of stuff for trad cragging with your rope strapped atop. You can also add daisies on the outside for some flexibility (that's what I did).

I got the Trango Crag Pack on sale about 6 weeks ago for $75 and have been happy with it. It fits a double rack, 70m rope, helmet, 2l water, guidebook, food, and shoes comfortably and carries the weight pretty well. I like the fact that it sits upright and has a mesh compartment for shoes (you could just attach them with a biner to any pack but they don't swing around this way). I don't know that a crag-specific pack is necessary, but I didn't want to destroy my nice Arc'Teryx backcountry ski pack and $75 seemed reasonable. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MubrSXdjjQ

Buy this and you can leave the rope, harness, draws, cams, nuts, biners, slings, and belayer at home ;)

highaltitudeflatulentexpulsion wrote:

Which model of Osprey are you using?

Its the poco premium. We have used the piss out of it for our son but now i use it as a pack. Ropebag fits in the kid compartment or a subhaulbag. I would rather have the kind that the small pack doesn't zip off and is just a pocket bc the zipper breaks from taking the backpack off. Cute idea. But doesn't last. The pack Carries a load well and stands itself up. 

James T, 

You might enjoy https://alpine-luddites.myshopify.com/ too. 

I second the Metolius Freerider. Burly. 41 liters Good suspension. 

I have the Creek35 for myself and and Creek20 for my daughter. Now that I have multiple ropes and my wife in the mix, I plan to get the Creek50 for myself and give the 35 to my wife. That tells you how highly I regard their design - they are awesome crag bags. 

Gavin W wrote:

I checked out the MEC Cragalot in-store the other day (don't own one) and it seems like a good, value-priced option if you're set on a separate pack for cragging. I use my BD Speed 30, but that does put a lot of wear on it so I've been thinking about getting the Cragalot.

https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5042-098/Cragalot-Backpack

It has the same flaw as all the front-opening packs: the shoulder straps go in the dirt when it's lying open on the ground.  The top opening looks to be very tight.  My next pack will either be a haul-bag style that stands upright on it's own, or a pack where the back-panel unzips (such as the patagucci Cragsmith). "....allows easy access through the top or back panel, which opens wide to reveal contents without laying pack harness in the dirt."

Mark Ra wrote:

You might enjoy https://alpine-luddites.myshopify.com/ too. 

Oh yeah I would. My wallet wouldn’t though. But that’s the price you pay for garage hands. 

Mark Berenblum wrote:

I've been using a 45L "Crag Daddy" for a few months and it's a good option, though it's not perfect.

Cons -

It's called the "Crag Daddy"

I have the same pack. I really wanted one that opened duffel style because then I can get to the important things at the bottom without upending my entire pack. I wish it had better zipper pockets: the zippered pockets share space with the inside, so when it's full they're hard to get things in and out of. I like to keep keys, wallet, phone, etc in there, and it's annoying with a full pack for things to not fit in the zipper pockets.

I second the Ozone pack by Cold Cold World based in Jackson, NH. Hands down the most durable daypack I've ever owned, and it might be the most durable pack I've seen short of a haulbag. Also only costs $105 new.

http://www.coldcoldworldpacks.com/ozone.htm

Frank LaForge wrote:

I got the Trango Crag Pack on sale about 6 weeks ago for $75 and have been happy with it. It fits a double rack, 70m rope, helmet, 2l water, guidebook, food, and shoes comfortably and carries the weight pretty well. I like the fact that it sits upright and has a mesh compartment for shoes (you could just attach them with a biner to any pack but they don't swing around this way). I don't know that a crag-specific pack is necessary, but I didn't want to destroy my nice Arc'Teryx backcountry ski pack and $75 seemed reasonable. 

I have one of these packs too. I like the design, but I can't recommend it to anyone as they use poor materials and possibly not put together well. Mine has pulled stitches near the main zipper compartment and the bottom material is already gouged a lot just from setting it on the ground. It's not even a year old yet, and I didn't climb outdoors very much this year. I have another non climbing specific pack I've used for years that has held up far better. I think Trango skimped too much on materials and workmenship to keep the price down. I'll be looking at the Black Diamond Creek 50 for my next one.

I have the 35L patagonia bag and the BD creek 50. The Pata bag is great for sport climbing and sharing gear for a mulitipitch approach. I have had it for two years and I am quite happy with it.

The Creek is AWSOME IN EVERY WAY. The 50L version works great for my guiding work. I do a lot of day stuff which requires me to carry tons of gear and several ropes and it does great, is super durable and well designed. If I was going to replace one of my two I would swap the Patagonia pack for a creek 35. Its a superior product.