Best pack for multipitch

Just got a BD rock blitz 15. WAYYYYYYY better than the Petzl Bug I used for a couple years
Fits my shoes, water, puffy and small things like headlamp, food, etc
And it feels a lot better climbing than the bug

DMM Zenith. Plenty of snag free attachment points, rides well, and super easy to access when clipped to the wall. Buy it once.

If you carry something larger than 18L on a non-alpine multi pitch, just don't. 

Stu L wrote: I’m a big fan of the Patagonia linked 18

I'm trying to decide btwn the 18L or 28L. 

Noah R wrote: If you carry something larger than 18L on a non-alpine multi pitch, just don't. 

Well OK then. 

McHull wrote:

Well OK then. 

In reality it is all personal preference. I just am not sure what you would need for a multi that would not fit in 18 liters. I went up a casual multi last weekend in a party of 3 (No we did not form a line behind us) and fit two pairs of shoes, wind layers, three cans of beer, a nalgene, and a friggin bag of chips haha. 

28 would be fine if you wanted to bring a little sleeping gear along too (Alpine) but imo overkill for normal multi pitches.

I picked up a Black Diamond Rock Blitz 15.  It carries well, it fits the necessities, it seems like it's going to hold up, and it's affordable.  I almost bought a Petzl Bug but the BD won out because it was more convenient to buy.  

Don't over think a multipitch pack, it should be as small as possible while still fitting what you need, tough enough to handle getting dragged across rock (knocks out the REI Flash packs for me), and cheap enough to be replaced when you wear a hole in it from dragging around.  Easy to open and close while hanging at a belay is a really good feature too.

Noah R wrote:

In reality it is all personal preference. I just am not sure what you would need for a multi that would not fit in 18 liters. I went up a casual multi last weekend in a party of 3 (No we did not form a line behind us) and fit two pairs of shoes, wind layers, three cans of beer, a nalgene, and a friggin bag of chips haha. 

28 would be fine if you wanted to bring a little sleeping gear along too (Alpine) but imo overkill for normal multi pitches.

cool man, thanks for the advice. 

The only thing i'd change would be to swap out the nalgene for two extra cans of beer. 

McHull wrote:

cool man, thanks for the advice. 

The only thing i'd change would be to swap out the nalgene for two extra cans of beer. 

You sound like my kind of partner

McHull wrote:

I'm trying to decide btwn the 18L or 28L. 

Depends on what you’re doing, but the 18 has been plenty for me. Fits everything I need for a full day of multipitch with room to spare. The expandable collar makes it more like a 22ish liter pack. I’ve seen the 28L and it’s huge, definitely more cumbersome to climb in. The 18 is plenty spacious without getting in the way. 

Stu L wrote:

Depends on what you’re doing, but the 18 has been plenty for me. Fits everything I need for a full day of multipitch with room to spare. The expandable collar makes it more like a 22ish liter pack. I’ve seen the 28L and it’s huge, definitely more cumbersome to climb in. The 18 is plenty spacious without getting in the way. 

I’m thinking something for 3 to 4 pitch multi,

Seneca specific, my local crag.

Stu L wrote:

Depends on what you’re doing, but the 18 has been plenty for me. Fits everything I need for a full day of multipitch with room to spare. The expandable collar makes it more like a 22ish liter pack. I’ve seen the 28L and it’s huge, definitely more cumbersome to climb in. The 18 is plenty spacious without getting in the way. 

100% agreed, 18L is plenty for a day pack multi-pitching and way more comfortable to climb in. 

McHull wrote:

I’m thinking something for 3 to 4 pitch multi,

Seneca specific, my local crag.

Thanks for the input! 

Yep, mine too. Get the 18, it’s perfect for Seneca. 

Stu L wrote:

Yep, mine too. Get the 18, it’s perfect for Seneca. 

Thanks! 

I climb 2nd and have only started to think about leading. I carry up the shoes and water, and the 18L pack I have is just barely big enough for two of us. I wish I got the 25L for when we climb in triples. 

I just ordered the Mountain Hardwear Multi-pitch 20 for a trip to the Winds. I'll report back. I know someone with the old version that loved it.

Doug Chism wrote: I climb 2nd and have only started to think about leading. I carry up the shoes and water, and the 18L pack I have is just barely big enough for two of us. I wish I got the 25L for when we climb in triples. 

What kind of shoes do you have? Have the third bring a pack too?

Have both people carry an 18L, leader carries their shoes and their food, follower carries their shoes, food, and both water

Bryan wrote: I just ordered the Mountain Hardwear Multi-pitch 20 for a trip to the Winds. I'll report back. I know someone with the old version that loved it.

What'd you think?  I ordered the 30 for multi-pitch climbing and wondering if it'll be too big.  I erred on the side of a bigger size so I could also use it for cragging while traveling.  I probably won't be climbing with it full, so it may just flop around more than I'd like.  Hopefully not.  We'll see.  I also plan on using for full skiing days.  Let me know your thoughts.

I've used an older BD Bullet, the DMM Zenith, and a Metolius Mescalito. Of the three, the Bullet is the least obtrusive, and is big enough for most uses. The Zenith is the most comfortable to carry for long distances, and the Mescalito is by far the most durable (it's a miniature haul bag). But for a 3-4 pitch route I often prefer a half-liter of water, light approach shoes, and a light wind jacket clipped to the harness.