Most of the time, we prefer a pack without a lid for fast-and-light endeavorsits simply fewer moving parts to deal with each time you want to access your gear. Hyperlite also makes the slightly less durable and slightly heavier 2400 Ice Pack ($325), which features a roll-top closure, hipbelt pockets, and a bungee crampon attachment.See the Hyperlite Dyneema Prism Pack. My body creaks as I pull my sore arms from my sides, grab my headlamp, and light the JetBoil that I had carefully placed outside our tent the night before We love rock climbing shoes, and we bet you do too. Being able to throw everything into a pack allows faster loading and a more comfortable carry. For approaches and climbs like those found in Red Rock, Yosemite, or even the Bugaboos (the Scrambler has alpine-specific features like ice tool holders and a storm flap over the top cinch), the Mountain Hardwear is a capable all-around rig. Category: FollowerWeight: 9.5 oz.Capacities: 18, 22LWhat we like: The lightest and least expensive follower pack.What we don't: Thinner and less durable than the competition. And it was close.Did you hear that rush of wind? Yeah like a parachute opening! But where did it go? Megan and I look around Osprey Mutant 52 Climbing Backpack Review, Quinn Brett: Look Up, Stand Still, Breathe, CiloGear 3030 Guide Service WorkSack ($239), Back to Our Climbing Pack Comparison Table. But for $40, the Flash is undeniably an excellent value, and its feature set is surprisingly functional for climbing. Category: AlpineWeight: 1 lb. Further, the framesheet and lid are removable, giving the pack the versatility needed for both the approach and the climb. For $40 and just 9.5 ounces, that's a whole lot of pack. The Osprey is cheaper and gets the slight edge in terms of durability with its 420-denier base, although the Alpha ARs 315-denier Hadron liquid crystal polymer grid fabric is undeniably impressive. Further, the tapered, upright designsimilar to that of the Black Diamond Creek 50makes loading and unloading gear quick and painless. Cutting-edge alpinists across the world laud the Arcteryx Alpha FL for its no-frills, lightweight build that climbs like an extension of the body. Both packs have a similar waterproof build and highly streamlined design with minimal padding and just a few organizational features. A true do-it-all pack, Black Diamonds Mission is a jack of all trades, but master of none. The thin nylon construction pales in comparison to more rugged follower packs like the Rock Blitz and Multi Pitch below. Category: AlpineWeight: 1 lb. Alpine packs range from 30 to 60 liters, and most climbers will err on the smaller side to avoid added ounces and poor weight distribution. However, whether you go with the Alpha FL or the Serac, its important to recognize the limitations of such a minimalist design. Follower packs are identified by their small capacitygenerally between 16 and 30 litersand have features like easy-to-access exterior pockets, reinforced haul loops, streamlined webbing hipbelts (or no hipbelt at all), and one-handed top drawstrings for quick retrieval of gear at the belay. Category: AlpineWeight: 3 lbs. Keep in mind that Black Diamond also offers the more alpine-oriented Blitz pack (freshly revamped for 2022), which comes in two capacities (20 and 28L), is built with thinner and lighter 100-denier fabric, and features ice tool attachments and a removable foam backpanel.See the Black Diamond Rock Blitz 15. The Exped is only rated to carry 31 pounds, compared to the 50-pound capacity of the Osprey Mutant above (Arcteryx doesnt list a load limit for their pack, but wed estimate its similar to the Exped). For one, Mammuts pack is slightly less robust with a 420-denier ripstop nylon body (Patagonias nylon is 630D). What are the downsides of the Black Diamond Mission 55? Once you reach the climb, slide the pads off the webbing hipbelt, cinch the bag down tight, and youve got yourself a lightweight climbing machine. Read more about us. Whether youre hiking five minutes to hang out at the crag for afternoon, taking 48 hours to ascend a towering granite spire in Patagonia, or free climbing at your limit with a days worth of supplies, the right pack can make all the difference. When loaded down on the hike, a rope strap and side compression straps allow you to attach additional gear. All told, the Mutant is one of the most versatile packs on this list, and so comfortable and durable that wed even recommend it for the crag. 15 oz.Capacities: 35, 70LWhat we like: Chart-topping durability and functionality for hauling up a wall.What we dont: Not great carrying comfort and limited capacity. (1 lb. In general, cragging often means walking between five and 20 minutes and posting up in one location for the entire day. Compared to a top-loading pack like the BD Creek 50, Patagonias offering is simply not as convenient. While carrying a rope and ice equipment on the outside of your alpine pack makes sense for mountain expeditions, theres no reason to deal with that sort of inconvenience at the crag. Additionally, accessing the contents is a breezeeven with gloves onand lash points, bungee attachments, and a top strap secure anything from a rope and crampons to a sleeping pad and extra layers to the exterior. If minimizing ounces is not your top priority, you should consider the slightly heavier, more durable, and more comfortable options. Most parties will climb with one 16-to-30-liter pack (carried by the follower), although the leader often will carry a small pack as well on overnight or alpine routes. 10 oz.Capacities: 41LWhat we like: Extremely durable; affordable.What we dont: Not as user-friendly as Patagonias Cragsmith. But the pared-down build is ideal for fast-and-light approaches and on-route climbing, making the Serac a top choice among alpinists. Its surprisingly easy to overload an alpine pack with a rope, ice tools, crampons, and climbing helmet, but hiking with 40 pounds of gear in a pack thats only designed to carry 30 soon will feel severely strenuous. And while neither model comes close to matching the long-term durability of a Dyneema pack like the Hyperlite below, theyll cost you significantly less. Of course its no match for a tried-and-true haul bag (especially if youre tagging your pack up the route), but it will hold up significantly better than most follower packs. A removable lid with drawstring underneath? When it comes to alpine packs, the focus is less on comfortable suspension systems and organizational features and more on weight savings and versatility. You get a full side zip for easy access to all your gear, and we like the reinforced crampon patch and ice tool attachments better than most. 14 oz.Capacities: 25, 35LWhat we like: Versatile as an approach or follower pack; functional feature set.What we dont: Not super durable and webbing hipbelt limits carrying capacity. In the end, these packs might not look as sleek as the competition, but they will last a long time and earn you major street cred in the mountains.See the CiloGear 3030 GS WorkSack. Most alpine-specific packs come with daisy chains, rope straps, accessory straps, and ice tool attachments for this very reason. But the FL leaves a lot to be desired in terms of comfort, convenience, and capacity, and not all alpinists need that superb climbability. While some climbing packs are designed with an emphasis on durability, others sacrifice a bombproof exterior to shave weight. It prioritizes longevity and function over the minimalism of follower packs like the REI Flash 18, with robust 1000-denier fabric, two haul points, shoulder straps that stuff into the backpanel, and a removable hipbelt. ).See the Arc'teryx Alpha AR 35. 12 oz.Capacities: 45LWhat we like: Durable and allows for great organization.What we dont: Can be difficult to close with a full load. It can get scuffed on the rock or get in your way while youre reaching for the next hold. But just to be clear, we wouldnt advise hauling this bag as its front zip would be too difficult to access when hanging mid-wall. Gone are the days when climbing consisted of swami belts, hobnailed boots, and weeks spent nailing pitons into swaths of granite. However, with a similar webbing hipbelt as the 25L, dont expect a high amount of comfort on the trail. Arcteryxs Alpha FL and the Hyperlite Dyneema Prism Pack, for example, are made with waterproof or highly water-resistant materials. 12.8 oz. Many follower packs also have multiple gear attachment points, which is handy if youre climbing in Squamish and walking off the summit of the Chief with all your gear. Weve also found that a 35-liter pack can be on the small side for cragging, especially if youre carrying a full rack and rope (again, the Creek 50 is the superior offering here). For all but the most weight-conscious of climbers, we think the Exped is worth it for the added organizational features. In terms of crag packs, we strongly recommend finding one that can accommodate all of your gear in the inside compartment. Because the approach is shorter, you dont really need pockets on your hipbelt like you might want on an alpine pack (we think the Patagonia Cragsmiths design is overkill in this respect). Category: FollowerWeight: 14.2 oz.Capacity: 15LWhat we like: Very durable and great shape for hard climbing.What we dont: Pricier and heavier than the REI Flash above. We do wish the Mutants hipbelt was detachableit wraps around the pack to stay out of the way of a harness, but we prefer the added customization when possible. As always, be aware that there are sacrifices when shaving weight. On the other hand, many alpine and follower packs will forgo paddingon the hipbelt and backpanel in particularfor a more streamlined and lighter design. For mountain climbers varying storage needs, the Alpha FL expands to 37 liters for the approach and packs down to a 30-liter (or smaller) jet pack-like shape when the going gets technical. Combining the carrying comfort of a backpack with the superior convenience of a duffel bag, Metolius Crag Station boasts one of the most unique designs on our list. For overnight missions, its also available in a 55-liter version, comparable in price to the Mutant 52 but slightly lighter ($250; 2 lbs. In general, stay in the 30-liter range for a day trip, 45 liters for an overnight, and 60 liters for multi-night trips when youre carrying many days' worth of supplies into basecamp. With a larger feature set than the FL, including a lid, padded hipbelt, and side compression straps, the AR offers increased organizational options and is much more capable when weighted down. Packs like the Patagonia Cragsmithand Metolius Crag Station are like traveling suitcases, designed to provide easy and organized access to your gear. What we dont: Overbuilt for most purposes. Originally designed to handle life on big walls like Yosemites El Capitan, haul bags are built with thick, laminated nylon and feature reinforced seams, multiple haul points, and tuck-away shoulder straps and removable hip belts. But theres no denying the Prisms durability, and its hard to beat the purpose-built design for climbers hauling tools and crampons. And for a follower pack or overnight rig, check out the 22-liter and 52-liter versions of the MutantRead in-depth reviewSee the Osprey Mutant 38. But despite its impressive weight and price, the Flash 18 does have its downsides, most notably in terms of durability. But the Mountain Hardwear is a great combination of both durability and organization, and its also available in a more versatile 30-liter version that you can also use on the approach (wed stick with the 20L for a dedicated follower pack). ), which boosts capacity by 4 liters and includes stretch dump pockets on each side and a handy top lid with a zippered compartment.See the REI Co-op Flash 18. Further, the Mission is lacking internal organizationif you choose to remove the lid, its nice to have at least one small pocket for convenient access. These components allow a pack to carry more gear on the approach, and then strip down to bare bones for the climb. This pack is an alpinists dream: its streamlined and lightweight, carries well, and is both waterproof and highly abrasion-resistant with a 400-denier ripstop body fabric. But buyer beware: follower pack sometimes can be a misnomer. But if it fits you well, the Neon Gear is a more affordable Cragsmith alternative and a well-built pack overall.See the Mammut Neon Gear 45. With a framesheet, padded hipbelt, and comfy shoulder straps, the Mutant carries and distributes weight better than other streamlined alpine packs, even with loads up to 50 pounds. The Scrambler also comes in a 35-liter version, which can accommodate more gear but is less suitable on-route. HUGE. 11 oz.Capacities: 22, 38, 52LWhat we like: Accommodates heavy loads well; extremely versatile.What we dont: Heavier than most alpine packs and the hipbelt is not removable. Mammuts Neon Gear 45 is another high-quality backpack designed for hauling your gear to the crag. The Exped Serac 35 goes head-to-head with our top alpine climbing pick, the Arcteryx Alpha FL above. The Arcteryx Alpha AR is over a pound heavier than the FL and does not have a streamlined, torpedo-like shape that lends itself so well to technical climbing. We know what youre thinking: REI? But it was big. Some are made with a focus on low weight and packability, while others (like the Mountain Hardwear Multi Pitch 20) are made with high-denier fabrics for durability while scraping through chimneys or being dragged up thousands of feet of coarse granite. For moderate routes in Red Rock or the High Sierra, the REI and Black Diamond packs are more lightweight, packable options (9.5 and 14.2 oz., respectively). But if you want a durable pack that can carry all your gear for way less than the $210 Creek 50, Trangos Crag Pack 2.0 is a nice budget option. Category: AlpineWeight: 2 lbs. When it comes to gear youre carrying on your back, weight matters. Finally, trad climbers might find the 41-liter Crag Station to be too small for all their gear. Some, like the Black Diamond Creek 50,have haul-bag-style bases for simple loading, while others like Metolius Crag Station are designed with unique back or front openings for access to all your gear at once. For the right application, the Cragsmith 45L is close to ideal: its comfortable, sleek, and even burly and protective enough to serve as a haul bag. But with minimal back protection and simple, non-adjustable shoulder straps and hipbelt, dont expect the Stubby to be the most enjoyable pack to carrythe Creek 50 above offers a lot more comfort with a padded backpanel and a few different size offerings. And as for alpinists, most climbers we know choose not to weigh their pack down on the approach with liters of water, instead attaching a small .5-liter bottle to the outside of their pack with a carabiner and filling up beside the trail throughout the day.