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Aksama
Jul 4, 2008, 8:53 PM
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I'm finally getting around to purchasing my rope, draws, and such. I'm really pumped to finally be able to do some sport climbing outdoors without having to steal a buddy's gear, but I still haven't settled upon one of the most important items, my pack.
I'm torn because I'm not entirely sure what I need. It's unlikely that I'll be trad climbing anytime soon, so I was thinking the bare minimum size would be best!
I was considering the Boa from Black Diamond as my highest end purchase. But I'm also considering the "Dart" and "Flash". Either of which I would prefer because of cost, and size. Yet I am a bit dubious about fitting my rope, a dozen draws, etc into the flash. Should I just suck it up and get the Boa? Thanks for any help guys!
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jermanimal
Jul 4, 2008, 9:26 PM
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Boa is a better bag. The others, especially the Flash are really too small.
BTW - are you married to BD, there are other great packs out there.
Gregory, Dueter, etc.
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Aksama
Jul 4, 2008, 9:55 PM
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Oh about that, I'm not married at all, but I'm buying them through my gym, which has a connection with Metolius, BD, Blue Water (Who I don't think produce packs) so even for a pricier pack it'd likely cost less than other places, but I'm totally open to other options.
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boulderflasher
Jul 4, 2008, 10:17 PM
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I don't want to steal the OP, but has anyone used the Osprey Exposure pack?
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dylan1
Jul 5, 2008, 12:19 AM
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I like my cilogear 30L....
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CrazyPetie
Jul 5, 2008, 12:33 AM
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i bought a mammut pack for $50 and i love it. It fits two harnesses, two pairs of shoes, chalk bags, and 12 quick draws with two belay devices. And thats just in the main compartment.
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lena_chita
Moderator
Jul 5, 2008, 1:27 AM
Post #7 of 47
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If you are not sure, don't rush into buying a pack.
You probably don't even need ANY new pack, if you already have some random small backpack that you use around town as a bookbag or what not. That backpack will fit your harness, water bottle, food and draws. Your rope bag can be strapped on top of it-- who said that you need to put your bag INSIDE the backpack?
If you are not hauling gear, and your approaches are under 30-40 minutes, you'll be even fine just slinging the rope bag over your shoulder... save some money for now. ( I mean, use it on other gear!  )
Wait for a few months, look around at what other people are using, you may discover a pack that you absolutely love... not saying that Boa isn't a good pack, but if you are not sure, why rush into buying it?
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Myxomatosis
Jul 7, 2008, 2:50 AM
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Yeah I agree with Lena... I've never required a pack.
Put my harness on at the car, sling draws etc on harness, put shoes in rope bag, carry lunch and water in hands. Have done a few 30 min approachs that way.
If its any longer I just use my photo bag from lowepro. Which I can get all my lunch in, harness, shoes, draws and slings (and camera len's etc) pluys my partners gear and I make him carry the rope. But Its only so that my hands are free for getting up dense bush'y muddy hill's to the crag.
(This post was edited by Myxomatosis on Jul 7, 2008, 2:53 AM)
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Aksama
Jul 8, 2008, 5:31 AM
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Alright so I'm definitely putting the pack off, but I did have one more question: Do you guys have a tarp or something so your rope isn't on the ground/when you flake it you're not just coiling it up in the dirt? I've heard that's a great way to wear your rope quickly, and I'd like to avoid that. Thank
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swaghole
Jul 8, 2008, 11:39 AM
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I've got a BD Spinx 32 and I love it. It easily handles heavier loads like my full trad gear, rope, water, food + clothing and is extremely comfortable. It's big enough so I can use it for ice climbing and had the best ice-tool holding system i've seen on a pack (the tool picks slide into a special sleeve - prevents them from snaging and tearing other gear). A climbing helmet fits easily in the top zipper pocket. It has tons of tie-downs and compression straps to keep everything secure. It really has every feature you could want in a bag. You can strip it down to a lightweight pack by removing the padded hip belt, rigid back stay crampon patch.
For transporting your climbing rope, the Sphinx has a special webbing loop at the top of the bag to secure a coiled rope.This way, you still have the full volume of the pack for you gear AND you can still carry a rope.
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lena_chita
Moderator
Jul 8, 2008, 2:47 PM
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sungam wrote: dylan1 wrote: I like my cilogear 30L.... Come on man, you know anyone who's used the cilogear 30l doesn;t like... they LOVE it 
A bit of an overkill for sport climbing, don't you think?
Aksama wrote: Alright so I'm definitely putting the pack off, but I did have one more question: Do you guys have a tarp or something so your rope isn't on the ground/when you flake it you're not just coiling it up in the dirt?
Yes. I have metolius rope bags-- they come with built-in tarp.
http://www.metoliusclimbing.com/roperanger.htm
http://www.metoliusclimbing.com/ropemaster.htm
Dh and I have both of these-- one for each rope. The only difference is the number of straps.
But if I were buying a new rope bag now, I would prefer the BD superslacker bag.
http://www.backcountrygear.com/...cessdetail.cfm/BD831
Again, the bag unfolds to form the tarp.
I prefer it b/c it is easier to pack the rope " long and skinny"-- that way it fits on top of my pack better.
Some people just have a plain plastic tarp. Nothing wrong with that either. Cheaper than any of the bags above.
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sungam
Jul 8, 2008, 3:02 PM
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lena_chita wrote: sungam wrote: dylan1 wrote: I like my cilogear 30L.... Come on man, you know anyone who's used the cilogear 30l doesn;t like... they LOVE it A bit of an overkill for sport climbing, don't you think?
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steady_climbing
Jul 8, 2008, 6:22 PM
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mcolombo wrote: Blue IKEA bag
Definite Deutch!!
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kennoyce
Jul 8, 2008, 7:12 PM
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Personally I think I have the best sport climbing pack out there, It is duffel bag styled with padded shoulder straps and a chest strap, it has a built in tarp, it will hold a rope, 2 pairs of shoes, 2 harnesses, a dozen draws, a couple of belay devices, and a small rack if I want, plus it has plenty of attachment points on the outside of it, It was made by bittersweet, but they no longer make it. so I guess your just out of luck. sorry.
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Hennessey
Jul 10, 2008, 1:31 AM
Post #17 of 47
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I use an Osprey Stratos 40. It has a vented back so you don't get too sweaty. It holds a 60m rope, rope bag, harness, two pairs shoes, set of draws, a bunch of webbing, slings, helmet, a couple of 32 0z. gatorade bottles, alot of food and still has a little room left over. Has extra straps on the outside if you need to haul extra stuff. Very comfortable.
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phillygoat
Jul 10, 2008, 1:57 AM
Post #18 of 47
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This is real good:
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time2clmb
Jul 10, 2008, 2:09 AM
Post #19 of 47
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All of your sport climbing "gear" should fit quite nicely in a purse lol......
Kidding
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seatbeltpants
Jul 10, 2008, 3:18 AM
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Myxomatosis wrote: If its any longer I just use my photo bag from lowepro. Which I can get all my lunch in, harness, shoes, draws and slings (and camera len's etc) pluys my partners gear and I make him carry the rope.
bloody hell - that's a farken enormous camera bag you've got there.
i've been using my big old 85L back pack because any money i spend on a slightly more suitable bag is money which i can't spend on more useful things like presents for my wife so she lets me go on road trips.
steve
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quiteatingmysteak
Jul 10, 2008, 4:06 AM
Post #22 of 47
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Aksama wrote: I'm finally getting around to purchasing my rope, draws, and such. I'm really pumped to finally be able to do some sport climbing outdoors without having to steal a buddy's gear, but I still haven't settled upon one of the most important items, my pack. I'm torn because I'm not entirely sure what I need. It's unlikely that I'll be trad climbing anytime soon, so I was thinking the bare minimum size would be best! I was considering the Boa from Black Diamond as my highest end purchase. But I'm also considering the "Dart" and "Flash". Either of which I would prefer because of cost, and size. Yet I am a bit dubious about fitting my rope, a dozen draws, etc into the flash. Should I just suck it up and get the Boa? Thanks for any help guys!
This is the cats freaking Meow right here:
http://www.mountainhardwear.com/Product.aspx?top=1246&prod=2926&cat=1271&viewAll=False
Its pricey, but god damn, its worth EVERY CENT. It is the coolest piece of gear I've seen from Mountain Hardwear. I've owned and used Dart, Boaa, Bullet, and several others from dudes like Granite Gear, North Farce and Arcteryx. This thing is the best, by far!
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quiteatingmysteak
Jul 10, 2008, 4:10 AM
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seatbeltpants wrote: Myxomatosis wrote: If its any longer I just use my photo bag from lowepro. Which I can get all my lunch in, harness, shoes, draws and slings (and camera len's etc) pluys my partners gear and I make him carry the rope. bloody hell - that's a farken enormous camera bag you've got there. i've been using my big old 85L back pack because any money i spend on a slightly more suitable bag is money which i can't spend on more useful things like presents for my wife so she lets me go on road trips. steve
Uh oh, steve violated the number one rule of Climbing!
The only committing you do in life is to go UP!
School, Marriage, Work, all that rigmarole should be left for another time when you are paralyzed or dead.
Sowing your seeds are OK, so long as you are defunct enough as a father/mother to be the one they have grandpa watch them instead.
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seatbeltpants
Jul 10, 2008, 4:32 AM
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yeah, i screwed that one up. in my defence, though, the wife came first and i'm worried if i get a divorce she'll take half my rack.
steve
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Myxomatosis
Jul 10, 2008, 4:37 AM
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seatbeltpants wrote: Myxomatosis wrote: If its any longer I just use my photo bag from lowepro. Which I can get all my lunch in, harness, shoes, draws and slings (and camera len's etc) pluys my partners gear and I make him carry the rope. bloody hell - that's a farken enormous camera bag you've got there. i've been using my big old 85L back pack because any money i spend on a slightly more suitable bag is money which i can't spend on more useful things like presents for my wife so she lets me go on road trips. steve
 Yeah.. did I mention It can hold a laptop too? I usually take it out and put my guides in that pocket tho 
http://www.usa.canon.com/...77&modelid=16186
Lowepro Computrekker Plus AW....
I can usually get my belay croc's (aka send'n jandles) and a jumper in there too if I pack right
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irregularpanda
Jul 10, 2008, 5:12 AM
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dylan1 wrote: I like my cilogear 30L....
So, theres this whole cult like folowing surrounding these packs that last forever. There's another pack company o add to the list also: this obscure company in NZ called cactus. I've heard the patrol pack will survive a nuclear blast..........
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sungam
Jul 10, 2008, 8:18 AM
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seatbeltpants wrote: Myxomatosis wrote: belay croc's  steve
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andrewbanandrew
Jul 10, 2008, 9:26 AM
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dude you're sport climbing
unless this is some super secret crag in the middle of nowhere the approach can't be longer than 25 minutes, you can huff gear in a jansport for that long
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andrewbanandrew
Jul 10, 2008, 9:29 AM
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dude you're sport climbing
unless this is some super secret crag in the middle of nowhere the approach can't be longer than 25 minutes, you can huff gear in a jansport for that lon
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sungam
Jul 10, 2008, 10:17 AM
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andrewbanandrew wrote: dude you're sport climbing unless this is some super secret crag in the middle of nowhere the approach can't be longer than 25 minutes, you can huff gear in a jansport for that lon
Oh... wait...
You already did...
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a-e-jones
Jul 10, 2008, 12:15 PM
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just grab the boa pack and call it a day
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zealotnoob
Jul 10, 2008, 1:55 PM
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Some might say that everything is a bit overkill for sport climbing
Sounds like the OP wants to accessorize.
BD packs are great. Arcteryx are.....more.
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markc
Jul 10, 2008, 2:16 PM
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lena_chita wrote: But if I were buying a new rope bag now, I would prefer the BD superslacker bag. http://www.backcountrygear.com/...cessdetail.cfm/BD831 Again, the bag unfolds to form the tarp. I prefer it b/c it is easier to pack the rope " long and skinny"-- that way it fits on top of my pack better.
I have a couple rope bags, and love the Super Slacker. As you said, it easily straps to the top of a pack. If you're going to a close sport crag, you could even carry most items in the Super Slacker. I've easily fit in a 10.5 x 60 m rope plus my trad rack. Fitting in your rope plus a harness, shoes and draws wouldn't be an issue.
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seatbeltpants
Jul 10, 2008, 8:12 PM
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irregularpanda wrote: cactus
http://www.cactusclimbing.co.nz/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=61&Itemid=19
dude, great gear.
steve
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patmay81
Jul 10, 2008, 8:28 PM
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[unless this is some super secret crag in the middle of nowhere the approach can't be longer than 25 minutes, you can huff gear in a jansport for that long]
yeah, my "sport rack" fits in my rope bag, that "rack" includes shoes and harness.
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Myxomatosis
Jul 10, 2008, 9:09 PM
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I actaully have a Cactus rope bag, very strong bag with metal clips. Also they produce right here in NZ, so don't have to worry about chinese build quality.
http://www.cactusclimbing.co.nz
Help desk was real good too, only took like half an hour to reply to each of my emails! Brought my bag on Wed, transferred cash that night, they sent it out thursday and I had it Friday for climbing that weekend. Also gave me 15% off my next purchase.
(This post was edited by Myxomatosis on Jul 10, 2008, 9:11 PM)
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Aksama
Jul 12, 2008, 12:27 AM
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Thanks, hadn't seen those before, (The Metolius rope bags) and makes my decision pretty easy, cheap, do exactly what I want 'em to do, has a tarp, and can definitely fit my draws too!
thanks to everyone for the help
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jmeizis
Jul 12, 2008, 12:46 AM
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Seriously, save yourself some coin and either butterfly the rope and tie it on your back or just stuff everything into a rope bag like one of those Metolious Rope Masters or something easy. It's always funny to see people with one of those Gregory Denali's out at the sport crag. All your gear to go to the sport crag couldn't fill more than a 30L pack unless you're bringing the crag chair and dinette set.
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wsclimber
Aug 7, 2008, 5:28 PM
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I just got the cilo gear 40L based on the reviews here, and that I wanted a pack that the *rope fits in*.
I put a rack ot 22 draws and a 1/2 dozen cams/nuts, 2 pairs of shoes, harness, chaulk bag, 2 one liter water bottles, wind breaker, flip-flops, and the 70m rope.
And it just fits. And yes, where I climb there are 35m pitches that need all the draws. (some doubled)
The pack carries well, and has plenty of small pockets for power bars, etc.
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churningindawake
Aug 10, 2008, 2:10 AM
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The cilo gear 40l looked like it held the gear well. But both ropes didn't fit into it. 
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churningindawake
Aug 10, 2008, 2:39 AM
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I like the Mountain Hardwear Splitter. It is a really good sport climbing pack choice. Surprisingly holds a lot of stuff. It is nice how it folds out completely flat, for easy access to every part of the pack. It has a Tarp that you can flake your rope into, then stow it in your pack, so when you get to the crag, just take out the tarp and your rope is ready to go. There are many different gear dividers, and pockets to organize your stuff. The back you can shape to fit your back very well. They make the pack in two sizes. Regular and long. I can fit 22 draws, and a big rack with my helmet in the regular size one. While in the long version you could fit a rope along with that stuff.
You can check the pack out at http://www.mountainhardwear.com/...71&viewAll=False
It is probably one of the best climbing packs out there for rock climbing, as that is mainly what it is designed for.
(This post was edited by churningindawake on Aug 28, 2008, 12:24 AM)
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cacalderon
Aug 10, 2008, 2:57 AM
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collapsible laundry hamper... it works wonders.... (you can find some at ikea)
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nut_scratcher
Sep 18, 2008, 12:36 AM
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if you don't get at least a 40 liter, you'll regret it later.
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dilbar
Sep 18, 2008, 12:57 AM
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40 for sure. i have a second hand TNF 45 liter bag and its perfect. fits a 70m rope, two pairs of shoes, 12 draws, harness, chalk bag, extra biners and cord, helmet, 2 nalgenes and even my digital SLR. extra room never hurt and buying it used is F'ing cheap.
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hobo_climber
Sep 19, 2008, 10:15 AM
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i'll second the up's for cactus! got the deepwinter (65L) and it fits EVERYTHING! plus its the version that survived a few months in an volcanic acid bath:
http://www.cactusclimbing.co.nz/...;id=141&Itemid=1
the bannana rope bag is key. fits all my sport gear, 60m of cord, draws, harness, 2 pair shoes, chalk bag, packet of sending lollies.
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NO0B
Oct 2, 2008, 2:11 AM
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The main reason for a sport climbing pack is to look hardcore right? then buy a hardcore bag. I personally love my Mystery Ranch. My G7000 would definitely make you look hardcore, but the Big Sky would probably be more appropriate.
I throw all my gear into a Granite Gear Nimbus Ozone for the approach.
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