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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
Post #12 of 47
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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
Post #16 of 47
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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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Registered: May 22, 2004
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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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Registered: Apr 26, 2007
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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
Post #21 of 47
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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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Registered: Dec 15, 2004
Posts: 804
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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
Post #23 of 47
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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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