New Blue Ice Warthog packs

Hy there folks, has anyone had the chance to try out the new blue ice packs (30/45 Lt)? Is the volume considered with or without rolltop extension? Is the material tough? 

I also can't tell from their website which version has the side zip opening, the 45 or the 30 lt? Or both? 

Thanks!

I spoke to a BI rep at the MWV ice fest a couple weeks ago and he said they’d just arrived in the US. So not sure how many might be in the field yet. By the looks of it the 45 seems to be the only one with a zipper (per the pics). I’m interested in the same info too!

BTW I love my current Warthog 30! 

My buddy has had one since the beginning of the season (got an early one). He has the 45 and really likes it. I checked it out and thought it looked like a nice pack. Like a better alpha fl for about the same weight. 

Graham Johnsonwrote:

My buddy has had one since the beginning of the season (got an early one). He has the 45 and really likes it. I checked it out and thought it looked like a nice pack. Like a better alpha fl for about the same weight. 

Pack NERD! 

They put out a video going over some of the features. The fabric looks unique.

I would probably prefer a padded hipbelt on the 45L (a bit odd that they dropped this from the previous warthog). Also it would be good to know what the frame is like on the 45L and how well it carries. I tried on a Blue ice Stache 60 at a shop and was surprised how comfortable it was despite the pretty minimal padding and wire frame, so it would be good to compare this pack

Yeah i suppose the fabric's very durable and waterproof, but I don't know if I like the side zip. For sure it's super comfy to access things at the bottom of the pack, but my fear is that it compromises the waterproofness of the pack, and also it's durability: what about if it breaks in the middle of a 3/4 days ascent? You're fucked haha

Also I asked blue ice about the zip, they told me that both versions have that

The deuter durascent packs are similar and have no side zip. They have a better hipbelt, too. 
JJ - I can’t fight that accusation. 

Luv ya G

I am also disappointed by the lack of hip belt padding.  I can overload the Chiru 25, which has a wide, padded hip belt.  

I’ve been using exped aftermarket hip pads on my alpha packs - I like them. https://www.expedusa.com/products/hip-belt-pad

Looks like they’re out of stock… 

Tinus Swrote:

 my fear is that it compromises the waterproofness of the pack, and also it's durability: what about if it breaks in the middle of a 3/4 days ascent? You're fucked haha

Be gentler on your zippers? You could maybe rig some straps across it, obviously defeating the purpose but if it's a big mission maybe worth it? Skiers use this design often and seem to have few issues (maybe they don't stuff 50L of gear into 35 L packs 😅) but it is a weak link. 

Hahahaha you're definitely right, but I have the tendency to overstuff my packs like crazy 🤣

You surely have to treat them well compared to the rest of the pack

I still think what sets the Arc Alpha (and hyperlite ice) packs apart from pretty much everything is the ability to OVERSTUFF them. These seem like dope packs but the rolltops are just wayy to short for a lot of alpine climbing. 

Alpine climbing generally implies approaching and climbing with the same pack and inevitably, there will be much more gear in the pack during the hike in then when climbing with it. I think most people would agree they are down to sacrifice a "balanced pack" during the hike and approach, for a neater, more compact pack while climbing. 

Maybe I am in the minority here as well, but I have a lot of trouble with comfort for arc packs and pretty much anything that doesn't use the hyperlite-style full-hip-wrap-around-waist strap. Anyone else? I would easily sacrifice 50 grams for more comfort during hours of hiking. 

When is someone gonna improve on the hyperlite ice pack?? I want new stuff

TLDR: Make top go higher

Yeah absolutely agree, I'm the kind of person that does everything that's single day or two days when sleeping in huts with a Blue Ice dragonfly 26, whether that be ice climbing, mountaineering or long multipitches, it's fundamental being able to overstuff packs, in order not to be forced to carry a big pack that'll be super uncomfortable when climbing.

Regarding comfort, if the shoulder straps are well designed, I basically don't care for the waist strap, never had problems with my dragonfly that only has a 25 mm webbing, but i know that it can be quite uncomfortable for most people 

Pretty sure the 45L has the side zip. 30L is just top-loading. Volume is without extension — rolltop adds a few extra liters. Material is tough, same as their regular packs.

It’s a super sweet backpack, have checked it out. Already have two Ice Haulers, one became a beater, other for real missions. Love them. Sometimes I wish I was more of a gearwhore than I already am. 

Bug Boywrote:

I still think what sets the Arc Alpha (and hyperlite ice) packs apart from pretty much everything is the ability to OVERSTUFF them. These seem like dope packs but the rolltops are just wayy to short for a lot of alpine climbing. 

Alpine climbing generally implies approaching and climbing with the same pack and inevitably, there will be much more gear in the pack during the hike in then when climbing with it. I think most people would agree they are down to sacrifice a "balanced pack" during the hike and approach, for a neater, more compact pack while climbing. 

Maybe I am in the minority here as well, but I have a lot of trouble with comfort for arc packs and pretty much anything that doesn't use the hyperlite-style full-hip-wrap-around-waist strap. Anyone else? I would easily sacrifice 50 grams for more comfort during hours of hiking. 

When is someone gonna improve on the hyperlite ice pack?? I want new stuff

TLDR: Make top go higher

I hear you, 45L can feel tight depending on what you’re used to carrying. It really comes down to packing style and what you consider essential vs nice to have.

For a bit of context, my partner and I attempted a 9,000 ft unclimbed face on a peak above 7,000m in the Indian Himalaya with two Ice Hauler 45L packs. 6 days of food and fuel, full ice rack, pins, single rack to a #3, plus arctic weather camping/clothing kit. Also, traversed Cerro Standhard to Torre Egger in Patagonia with 3 nights of camping on the ridge, 2 more nights in the backcountry (5 nights/6days out). Not saying that’s the standard or even the right way for everyone, but it showed me how much can actually fit in a 45L when things are dialed, and when you know it’s the best tool for the job. In some way, it probably taught me a lesson about designers knowing how much space is just enough.

I think the tradeoff with these smaller alpine packs is intentional, they are built to climb well first and carry second. Some packs lean more toward comfort on the approach, others toward performance on technical terrain. Neither is wrong, just depends on your priorities, and how you’re planning to use the gear. 

One thing that’s worked well for me is adding removable shoulder/hip padding for the approach and then stripping it off before the climb. Leaving it in basecamp or camp I make in the lower 48 trips. It’s a bit of a ‘hack,’ but it helps bridge that gap between comfort and efficiency. Got it on Amazon for very cheap.

At the end of the day, there’s no perfect pack, just different tools for different styles. Totally fair if a 45L of this kind doesn’t line up with how you like to move in the mountains. There are larger, more comfortable models. Normal Warthog is super light, can carry 60L and is very comfortable. You can do Denali with it or take it to an ice climbing crag, fill it up to the brim with any nice thing you may ever want.

Rad stuff and thanks for the context! I guess my gripe isn’t the total capacity but the ability to stuff “50 L” worth of stuff into a “35 L” pack for a hike in and reap the benefits of a smaller pack while climbing without needing to be a total junk show hiking into/out of objectives.

I wanna know how much stuff was hanging off the outside of your and Sean’s packs during the tyrolean into the torre valley? What if the alpine hauler’s roll top went 5” higher? -more capacity on the hike in, less likely to drop stuff while searching around in the pack on route and negligible difference in feeling while climbing because it just cinches closed to the same capacity it would be otherwise. 

Bug Boywrote:

Rad stuff and thanks for the context! I guess my gripe isn’t the total capacity but the ability to stuff “50 L” worth of stuff into a “35 L” pack for a hike in and reap the benefits of a smaller pack while climbing without needing to be a total junk show hiking into/out of objectives.

I wanna know how much stuff was hanging off the outside of your and Sean’s packs during the tyrolean into the torre valley? What if the alpine hauler’s roll top went 5” higher? -more capacity on the hike in, less likely to drop stuff while searching around in the pack on route and negligible difference in feeling while climbing because it just cinches closed to the same capacity it would be otherwise. 

I had a tagline on the outside and a helmet. I also keep a pair of gloves out in case it gets cold and a Nalgene so I can drink at stream crossings whenever I want.

Sean had a rope and a helmet. So it all fits pretty alright. I don’t disagree, ‘couple extra inches would be nice.’ But that can be said about many other things. :)

Another Alpine Hauler thing I learned, is that you can use their helmet strap and rig it like you would on other packs. Which is kind of nice, as otherwise it’s more difficult to secure without it dangling, without putting more planning into it. Sean’s way of carrying his helmet would lead to an emotional breakdown in my case. So I get creative.

Respect!

Wow! Impressive! 

Regarding this pack, how's its durability?

Does it really withstand hauling well?