After seeing how the alpine climbing community discovered our award winning Vapor Trail pack for fast and light alpine ascents we decided to build one specifically for the purpose. The Alpine Vapor is patterned after and uses the Vapor Trail suspension, but is built with beefy High Tenacity 210 denier Cordura throughout the pack and High Tenacity 420 Cordura on the bottom to stand up to the punishment of life on the rocks. We also added a Hypalon crampon patch to the front, Tool Loops to the belt and a fixed Voile-style cinch system to secure ice axes to the pack. All this at an ultralight 2 lbs. 10 oz.!
Sizes: short / regular / long
Weight: 2 lbs. 10 oz.
Cubes: 3600
Features
Material: 210D and 420D Cordura
Volume: 3600cu/in
Suspension: Padded shoulder straps and waist-belt
Back Panel: EVA and Schoeller Dynamic padding
Hydration Compatible: No
Torso Adjustment: No
Detachable Pack: No
Sleeping Bag Compartment: No
Rain Cover: No
Access Types: Top
Gear Loops: No
External Pockets: No
Snowboard Carry: No
Ski Carry: No
Recommended Use: Alpine and ice climbing
Weight: 2lb 10oz
Warranty: Lifetime
Just bought this pack and my first impressions are extremely favorable. It's smallish profile belies its capacity. This pack can carry a lot of stuff without feeling like you're carrying a house on your back. Simple, clean, functional, and comfortable. It has a minimalist-alpine feel to it. The roll-top/lidless systems to offer a great deal of flexibility. My only concern is the ice axe cinch system seems a little bulky and complex. Despite that, they seem very durable and secure. I'll come back to this after a couple of trial hikes and a climb in July.
Very comfortable for technical ridge and gully climbing. My only complaint is one of the fastex clips broke before the climb. It still worked with half a male clip. Great pack.
Rob Ricks - Mar 25, 2008 6:52 pm - Voted 4/5
First Impressions...very nice