day pack for climbing

Hey me and my bro are looking for day packs to buy for those long trad climbs. Anyways, Id like to hear some peoples opinions on what is the best types or brands to use for this type of thing. Info on hip straps, size, frame, brands, price would be ideal. Thanks a lot

Here's a good place to get started...

supertopo.com/reviews/gear.…

The Black Diamond Bullet and Hollowpoint make a great pair for a long day of trad climbing. Extremely durable packs, especially the Bullet.

i use the old mec bliztcrag 13L which they unfortunately no longer make ...

here is the the pack i recommend for people for places where you dont need to bring alot, like squamish and yos ...

22$, 350g, 14L, 420D fabric ... backed by the MEC warranty as well

mec.ca/product/5000-664/mec…

for the rockies or for the off season something larger with a bit more space might be prudent

;)

I use the BD bullet for really small stuff, but the REI Flash 18 is the bomba. Light, is a little pig too. One guy gets the rope, one the rack. And it's cheap too. Or go bigger with the 22.

rei.com/product/827110/rei-…

cool.thanks a lot guys! Anyone have any experience with the petzl bug pack? It's a little pricey, but it might be worth it idk.

bearbreeder wrote:i use the old mec bliztcrag 13L which they unfortunately no longer make ... here is the the pack i recommend for people for places where you dont need to bring alot, like squamish and yos ... 22$, 350g, 14L, 420D fabric ... backed by the MEC warranty as well mec.ca/product/5000-664/mec… for the rockies or for the off season something larger with a bit more space might be prudent ;)

Perfect! I'm so sick of fast and light gear marketed towards climbs that don't require those tactics. This pack looks great and unless you're speeding climbing at your limit tying to set records and shit.

I'm a big fan of the BD Speed 22. It's great for alpine or multi-pitch cragging. Removable, floating lid and removable waist strap.

blackdiamondequipment.com/e…

I tend to want something a little bit bigger than most people seem to be posting. I've got the Deuter Guide 35. I think it's a good size, big enough to fit a rope and a bunch of trad gear on the hike to the crag. There is also a lighter version, the Deuter Guide Lite 32.

These are both very good all around packs. Good for climbing, hiking, mountaineering, even the occasional backcountry ski trip.

I wanted the extra support of having a rigid frame, so I went with the Guide. You could save some weight by going with the Guide Lite.

Deuter Guide 35

Deuter Guide Lite 32

climber57 wrote:cool.thanks a lot guys! Anyone have any experience with the petzl bug pack? It's a little pricey, but it might be worth it idk.

I have the BUG and really like it. Very durable. I rarely use the straps on the bottom of the pack and have been meaning to cut them off. I've climbed hundreds of pitches with this pack on and hauled it extensively. No real wear so far. The compression straps are nice as it is a bit larger than other packs like the Bullet. With a Nalgene, headlamp, approach shoes, hat, and rain jacket, it still has a bit of room. On the approach, I can typically get my half of the rack in there as well as my harness when wearing approach shoes and packing climbing shoes. Rope typically is backpack coiled and tied on over the pack.

For alpine, I would want something a bit bigger....I just got a Cold Cold World Ozone and really like it for slightly larger loads.

I've been really happy with the Petzl Bug for multipitch. I carried a huge sharp rock with fossils in it out from a climb one day and it tore the bottom a little so I've been thinking about replacing it (probably I could just sew it but I'm a bit of a backpack whore). That MEC pack above ^^^ is lighter and cheaper, so maybe that will be my next one.

Another option...

You can get one of those new high speed lumbar packs. The large ones hold quite a bit, and some are cheap too...$40
I bought one a bit ago when i did epinephrine at red rocks...thought i'd try something new cause i hate climbing with a pack, I always feel top heavy.

I had a liter of water, handful of cliff bars, sandals for the walk off, tape, topo, baselayer, sm tube of sunscreen. I also had another liter of water clipped to my harness....anyway, the weight of the pack felt real balanced compared to something on your back.

Wouldn't really use it for anything but long climbs in temperate areas(prob not enough room in it for big layers for alpine routes).

Thanks a lot guys! I really appreciate everyones input and I think I've decided to get the Petzl Byg as it is what I like the most. Cheers!

Depends on the day, but I have two packs that are grabbed a lot:
-REI Flash 18 - Short approach with a water bottle, shoes and small to medium rack. Harness probably on at the car. Partner carries the rope or it goes over the shoulders. Also, inside the pads on bouldering trips.
-BD Speed 30 - Longer approaches, alpine routes with outer layers, anything with snow/ice, etc. Plenty of capacity for a rack, rope attaches to the outside.

Next pack will almost certainly be a CCW.

The CiloGear worksacks are absolutely amazing. I just bought the 40L after putting the 60L though its paces for many months. Absolutely everything is customizable, the tool carry is perfect, and they compress very well (even my 60L can compress down to a workable ~20L).

The standard version is already very durable. I've hauled mine and chimneyed with it more than a few times and it doesn't show anything more than a bit of dirt. If you can spring for one of the dyneema versions (not cheap), you'll get something even lighter and even more durable.

Deuter Guide. I have the 45 but the 35 is good also.

In 40 years of climbing hands down best pack I've ever owned or carried. It has everything you need and nothing you don't need IMO.

I think one thing that's confusing the discussion here is some folks took his questions to be about packs to wear while climbing and others are talking about packs to get to the climbing.

"Hey me and my bro are looking for day packs to buy for those long trad climbs."

I took that to mean a pack to wear during long trad climbs, thus my recommendations for a leader's pack.

Maybe the OP should clarify.

Does anybody have any opinions/experience with the MEC spirit 30 Daypack? mec.ca/product/5024-833/mec… or the MEC AlpineLite 24 Backpack (Unisex) ? mec.ca/product/5028-695/mec…

Thanks

the old mec alpinelights were stellar packs for the price ... several of my partners have one

the new ones, no idea ... but for the price and the MEC guarantee, its a riskless purchase

the spirits are not climbing packs, not to say you cant use em for such, but that is not their design

;)

Pat Cleary wrote "Depends on the day, but I have two packs that are grabbed a lot: ....
-BD Speed 30 - Longer approaches, alpine routes with outer layers, anything with snow/ice, etc. Plenty of capacity for a rack, rope attaches to the outside."

+1 My Speed is light in weight, tough, very adaptable, and adjusts well for load and for body of climber. Mine has a strap for carrying rope across the top of load, under the flap.

Cilogear 30L Worksack.....super lightweight and customizable. 1 pound lighter than the speed 30 for $20 more in price. every pound counts if you're spending all day on a route