gear packs

Right now im using a BD Stone Duffel 42. It fits everything in it just fine, but after a few miles my shoulders are DYING. It has the basic hip / sternum strap,  but I find its not enough. I have tried on a osprey AG and those things rock, but seem a bit much for gear.

Does it fit your torso? Much of the weight should be on your hips.

Stone duffle is frameless/just a plastic framesheet right? Something with a true frame will transfer weight to you hips much better.  

Both Mammoth Mountaineering and Eastside sports have a very good range of packs to select from. Get over before the pass closes for the season!
My husband is liking the Deuter he got in Bishop. 

I really want a Patagonia Cragsmith 45L, but I’m not willing to pay $200 for one...

take a look at the Crag Wagon 45 from Mountain hardwear. I managed to get a decent deal online. 

I had a Stone Duffel that survived one trip to the crag before my dog chewed through the zipper.  Zipper replacement cost as much as a new bag so I replaced it with a Creek 52 and have been hauling a double rack around the crags happily in the Creek ever since.  It seems much more durable than the Stone Duffel, has real suspension, and swallows a ton of gear.

P-A Proulx wrote: take a look at the Crag Wagon 45 from Mountain hardwear. I managed to get a decent deal online. 

I have the wagon in the 60l size. I love this pack. Lost the hip belt and couldn’t get one from MH so I took an Osprey belt and made it work. It transfer the load to my hips and saves my shoulders for climbing. Access and packing up is awesome. Well worth the pricey price tag in my opinion.  

Trango Crag Pack

I’m tempted to pick this one up, but I’m 6’5” and tend to prefer packs that I can’t try on come in Long sizes...

Coupon code is gearup30 

I use the Ortovox Trad 35. It has an internal frame and full waist belt. I carried it over the summer as a summit pack and general day pack and it worked great. Its super comfortable and lightweight. I would recommend checking it out.

https://www.ortovox.com/us/shop/backpacks/climbing/trad-35/