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So i have been searching for a new mountaineering backpack.

need help at what to look for in a mountaineering backapck.
this is what i have so far:
1.Strong materials
2. Ability to disconnect the hipbelt/secure it on the backside of the bag
3. Ability to convert the back padding to bivy pad.
4. Ice tools attachment
5.Crampon pocket
6. a place for a water bladder
7. rope attachment
8. Haul points
9. Life time warantee

any suggestions?

The problem is that i have only Mammut store around where i live, and im not to keen about buying a backpack i have never seen or tried on before. are Mammut models any good?

Go with arcteryx, you get what you pay for. Or lowe alpine, well designed and light.

Check out Cold Cold World packs

[url]coldcoldworldpacks.com[/url]

They are reasonably priced, bomber materials and hit pretty much everything else on your wish list.

Andes6000 wrote:Go with arcteryx, you get what you pay for. Or lowe alpine, well designed and light.

Yes those are good but the problem is i dont have them around. only the mammut dealership.
hate to order a backpack without trying it on first. although the Arcteryx nozone looks very good.
curently i think about Gregory Alpinisto and Osprey Varian/Mutant , but again cannot try them on.

Theory: I think that the brand of the bag is not as important, the bottom line is that they all have dedicated mountaineering bags and any of them will work. i think the fit is the most important thing. and the features they have.



Edit: can you check out my feature list and tell me if i missed something?
1.Strong materials
2. Ability to disconnect the hipbelt/secure it on the backside of the bag
3. Ability to convert the back padding to bivy pad.
4. Ice tools attachment
5.Crampon pocket
6. a place for a water bladder
7. rope attachment
8. Haul points
9. Life time warantee

Hi Strider,

I'm using the Mammut Trion Guide and its been an excellent pack for both non technical summit ascents and ice climbing that involved taking advantage of some of the more standout features of the pack (ropes, crampons, ice tools, etc.). I like the "motion butterfly" suspension system on the pack. I do wish it had more internal compartments to organize gear but even then, its a minor flaw to an otherwise great pack. Other considerations I had was the Black Diamond Speed 30 but ultimately choose the Trion Guide for the extra carry capacity for multiday trips.

I've only had a quality issue with one jacket in the past but dealing with staff at Mammut in the US was a very smooth experience.

Since you have a Mammut store where you live, I'd recommend trying out the pack and perhaps loading it with some weight, spend time with it on and moving around and consider if it would fit your needs. But for feedback in regards to how it performs on the field, I really don't have any big complaints.

Yes those are good but the problem is i dont have them around. only the mammut dealership.

Well you're not gonna make much headway here then are you? You aren't willing to buy anything you haven't tried and you are only able to try Mammut.

Posters have made suggestions. What exactly do you want?

Seems you have a problem, no?

Where do you live that makes it impossible to try anything other than mammut?

Mammut makes solid packs. Not in my top three for my own personal use, but I have partners who climb with them and have nothing but good things to say.

I like CCW, Cilo, and Arc'Teryx. And there's a big gap between each of those three.

Ultimately, even with as much of a gear nut as I am, one has to conclude that we're largely hyper-analyzing these things. Peaks were bagged LONG before these modern features were introduced. If it's light, durable, comfortable, and gets your stuff to the top....it's a mountaineering bag!

WyomingSummits wrote:Ultimately, even with as much of a gear nut as I am, one has to conclude that we're largely hyper-analyzing these things. Peaks were bagged LONG before these modern features were introduced. If it's light, durable, comfortable, and gets your stuff to the top....it's a mountaineering bag!

Hear hear!

Check out the Alchemist 40L by first ascent. It has most of the features you wanted, including the bivy pad, crampon attachment (external though), tool attachments, removable hip belt etc. It weighs in at 4lbs with the bivy pad, and is hydration compatible, plus it has a lifetime warranty. Not sure about the haul loops though, but I think it could be rigged up to haul. Also, its 40L, but it easily extends to 55L.

I have and love the Mammut Trion Light. Doesn't do the bivy pad deal or crampon pocket. But I just wrap my crampons in my gaiters. And I don't plan on frequently using the panel as a bivy, if needed can use the rope and rest of pack as a pad/seat.
2.25 lbs in full mode, stripped down to 1.5 lbs (without waterproof liner, lid, or hipbelt).

jo83ben wrote:Check out the Alchemist 40L by first ascent. It has most of the features you wanted, including the bivy pad, crampon attachment (external though), tool attachments, removable hip belt etc. It weighs in at 4lbs with the bivy pad, and is hydration compatible, plus it has a lifetime warranty. Not sure about the haul loops though, but I think it could be rigged up to haul. Also, its 40L, but it easily extends to 55L.

I've been needing to upgrade my pack and this one has been in my sights for a while. Looks great for just general all-around mountaineering which fits my needs.

pvnisher wrote:I have and love the Mammut Trion Light. Doesn't do the bivy pad deal or crampon pocket. But I just wrap my crampons in my gaiters. And I don't plan on frequently using the panel as a bivy, if needed can use the rope and rest of pack as a pad/seat.
2.25 lbs in full mode, stripped down to 1.5 lbs (without waterproof liner, lid, or hipbelt).

I also tried on the Mammut Trion Light and loved how it feets and the amount of movement freedom it gives me . the thing is the store only has the 28L version and i dont know how i feel about it:
1. it looks pretty roomy inside but isn't 28L too small for an multy day trip? or maybe they designed the 28L to be an "ultralight summit push only bag" and im missing the point?
2. another thing being a very lightweight bag it's only 100 denier on the upper fabric (the bottom is solid 840D) , isnt it too delicate for mountain use?
3. I dont like the simple loops for ice tool atachments and i really think the clip atachments being much better , am i being silly ?

I also tried the 45L Mammut Guide and though it much bigger and bulkier altough better crampon attachments and more storage options. but i think the weight and fit or the light is just superb.

Opinions please.


P.S
Also tried the Deuter Guide 1900g no thanks...no thanks..