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climbhigh23
Nov 7, 2002, 8:21 PM
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anybody out there have one of these packs? love it/hate it? just looking for some opinions on it, mainly for rock climbing, with some mountaineering possibilities...thanks.
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bouldertoad
Nov 8, 2002, 5:51 AM
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I love the RT series packs. I have not gotten one yet but since I work in an outdoor store I got to drool over one until we sold it. I like the dry bag closure and the waterproof pocket on the front. Seems like a durable pack for the money. Also another nice touch is the white bottom which makes it easy to see your gear inside...
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gawd
Nov 8, 2002, 6:14 AM
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bulky and heavy and hard to get into... no more water resistant then any other coated nylon pack..... gimmick
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galt
Nov 8, 2002, 6:58 AM
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GAWD, uhm what's the word I'm looking for... you're wrong. I have a RT 45 and am looking at buying the RT 65 (it's $190 at http://www.sierratradingpost.com) and I LOVE IT! I'm 6'3" and this is the first pack I've ever tried on and actually liked the way it fits on my body (I purchaced the Large). The external pocket is a gem and the zipper is just brilliant. This pack is as waterproof as they come (I've gone through many a downpoor with this pack and have always had a dry change of clothes.) I have countless stories about these packs (I've also used and enjoy the RT 25 and RT 55) and think they are the best packs on the market. They are worth the money if you have it. As far as climbing with it I can't help you (in Florida we don't have much to go on), but I plan on using it as a climbing pack and don't forsee any problems. One last tip, if you want to do anything more then 4 days you need to get the RT 55 or RT 65. I'm a LIGHT camper and I have a tough time with my RT 45.
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climbhigh23
Nov 8, 2002, 3:53 PM
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thanks alot guys. i am mainly looking at this pack as a climbing pack - i have a lowe alpine 5500+ cubic inch pack for extended backcountry trips already, so i am looking for a smaller pack (namely the 45 that you mentioned). just may have to pick one of these up. thanks again.
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punk
Nov 8, 2002, 4:18 PM
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Registered: May 28, 2002
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If u serious about the mountains try this pack also the Nozone is a great one I will stay away from gimmicky back packs with too many zippers. Bells and whistle hope it helped
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pattray
Nov 8, 2002, 4:18 PM
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Hey, before you buy it, check out the Serac by Wookey, I have one for trad climbing and i swear by it, its made by a small company, Husband and wife who both climb, go to http://www.wookey.net/index2.html and check them out, I can get a full rack, rope and water into it.
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gawd
Nov 8, 2002, 4:27 PM
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hey galt... he said for rock climbing and mtneering........ i see in florida they certainlyhave the usa test peices there..... the pack is wide and bulky...makes it s--- for climbing....... the pack is hard to get into...with a odd opening........ all packs are coated...... when i climb with a pack on, i do not want some wide bulky thing, inwhich is hard to access....... THEREFORE THEY SUCK....... great for backpacking?!?!?!?! BUT NOT CLIMBING!!!!! WELL MAYBE THEY ARE GREAT FOR CLIMBING IN FLORIDA/////
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climbhigh23
Nov 8, 2002, 4:36 PM
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gawd - i was looking for different opinions, that's why i asked. i respect your opinion, as well as everyone elses. i realize that this pack is not the "end all be all" of packs, or else everyone would have one and there would be no other packs on the market. just wanted some opinions... thanks pattray and punk - i will check those other packs out too. not sure exactly what i'll do yet, thanks again.
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marbrown
Nov 8, 2002, 5:27 PM
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Put it this way. Arc'teryx packs are the only packs that I would buy. I have a Bora 80 and 40 and absolutely love them. I use the 40 all the time for climbing and it fits all my gear. MB.
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galt
Nov 8, 2002, 5:46 PM
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GAWD, sorry bud we must be talking about different packs. The ARC'TERX RT series is about as narrow as I've seen em'. (One of the many reasons I like it.) I also have near full range of motion with my arms, something I've never had with any other pack. Although I do live in Florida I've used my pack throughout the A.T., Washington, Oregon, and throughout Colorado as well. I’ve packed with it, snow shoed, skied, preformed a 150-mile adventure race that included a 200’ rappel. I’ve never had any of the complaints you’ve said you’ve had. Guess you could have gotten a bum pack. So no I haven't climbed any 16,000 with it, I haven't big walled anything in it.. yet, I haven't done an 8 ft. dyno to a slopper with it, but I have traveled extensively with it and can't complain. Sorry I obviously am an idiot and lack the "the usa test pieces" to comment on the pack.
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madscientist
Nov 8, 2002, 5:52 PM
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Registered: Jan 21, 2002
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I have an RT45, and I love it. It carries great, and is the only pack that I have ever owned that I feel I can put alot of weight into and it won't hurt my back after hiking for hours. You need to take it off to get into the top. One of the reasons it carries so good is because it sits on your hips well. This makes it hard to wear a harness and get to the gear loops on the harness. I would not climb a technical rock route in the pack, and I don't mountaneer, so I will avoid commenting on its ability for that purpose. For technical rock routes, I carry my gear to the base in this pack, and then put on a smaller pack to do the route. In summary, I love the pack and I am very happy that I shelled out the money for it. It is not a good pack to do technical rock routes in, but it is great on the approach and descent. Hope this helps.
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climbhigh23
Nov 8, 2002, 6:03 PM
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ya - i don't plan on doing any technical climbing in the pack, just for the approach. thanks for all the info so far guys. sounds like a pretty good pack for what i am going to ask it to do.
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sunsation
Nov 8, 2002, 8:16 PM
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Registered: Aug 16, 2002
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Great packs and great clothing. They started out as a little company in Vancouver making packs and progressed into clothes. Now that Solomon has bought them out, they have even more resources to make more amazing things. www.arcteryx.com. They are a household name here and they got that way for a reason.
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xcel360
Nov 8, 2002, 8:55 PM
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Registered: Jul 20, 2002
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So what all do you use the Arc'teryx packs for? I'm asking because I've also been looking for a new backpack in which to take hiking, mountaineering, and eventually alpine mountaineering. I'd hate to buy two packs because I am poor, but are these packs really that great? (minus gawd's opinion because I already know how he feels ) Christmas and my birthday are coming up so I'm going to try and weasel one out of my parents. Maybe that new TNF bag the cat's meow also...hehe
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punk
Nov 8, 2002, 9:16 PM
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xcel360; for do it all nothing is better then the Nozone also the Khamsin 62 is a good one not as good as the nozone but good
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xcel360
Nov 8, 2002, 9:26 PM
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punk: And the nozone is made by who? If it's arc'teryx I can't seem to find it...
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gawd
Nov 8, 2002, 9:39 PM
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I 2ND PUNKS NOZONE NOTION... THEY ARE MADE BY ARCTERYX AND LIKE I SAID BEFORE...YOU WANT A SIMPLE PACK....NOT ONE WITH A BUCNH OF ADDITIONAL STRAPS AND BUCKLES AND AN UNPROVEN SYSTEM.... THEY ARE BULKY THEY HAVE TOO MANY GIMICS
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punk
Nov 8, 2002, 9:40 PM
Post #19 of 35
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Look Under specialized packs from Arc'teryx
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bouldertoad
Nov 9, 2002, 4:50 AM
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Registered: May 26, 2002
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This is in response to whoever said it is gimmicky because of to many zippers. Obviously you have not seen the pack because if I remember right there is only one zipper in the pack and that is on hte fromt pocket. To me having the dry bag type closure system eliminates the zipper problem and makes it more durable. Also I cannot agree with all packs are coated because that is not true..... That is why they make pack covers
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punk
Nov 9, 2002, 5:50 AM
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bouldertoad, Arcteryx has a zipper running its entire side and one running the entire length of the kangaroo pocket also by design it is not very versatile and mountain friendly (If u need to ask what’s wrong with zippers…then we shouldn’t have this conversation on line…we should do it in privet) no extended skirt for unpleasant bivouacs or removable foam pad for sitting out a storm or overnight bivouacs …lets just say that there is ALLOT better and more versatile packs from arcteryx as I said Very gimmicky
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crimpinfool
Nov 9, 2002, 8:06 AM
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Registered: Aug 1, 2002
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I think that anybody who knows much about Arc'Teryx, whether its product line or company philosophy, would be hard pressed to call their stuff gimmicky. I've only had a chance to play with the RT 35 at the gear store I work at, and I've found the pack easy to get into, well-fitting, and water tight (we put the hose on it). The fit is great; I tried a little "buildering" on our store while wearing the 35 and found it offered full freedom of movement and sat well on my back. A great approach pack, certainly. I don't have the experience with it, so I won't say how it performs on the climb. "Gimmicky" is so wrong I laugh just thinking about it.
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mike
Nov 9, 2002, 11:45 AM
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The RT series is an adaptation of their M series snowboard packs. They are meant to be worn for approaches and descents, not while climbing. They are little heavy given the cubic inches, but this is good, in that they have a beefy suspension. Climbing stuff is heavy for it's volume, and too light of a suspension will cause uncomfortable distortion in a pack which is fine under a basic backpacking load. If ordering on-line make sure you measure your torso and get the right size. I have a Bora 95, Bora 80, Mountainsmith Specter, Mountainsmith Ghost, and Osprey Aether 60 (I also have 3 children, which explains this) and I cannot justify a pack to drag gear to the crag, but if I could it would be an RT45.
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punk
Nov 9, 2002, 2:37 PM
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Crimpinfool, And all of this observation came from scaling the big mountains of Missouri and using the pack in the walls of St Lewis right….hard core man hard core I will definitely will buy all my gear from you….hell I may hire you to pack my bags for me…u definitely seems to have the experience
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scotia
Nov 9, 2002, 4:17 PM
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Registered: Nov 6, 2001
Posts: 147
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They are sweet packs. I like them.
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