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Which of these 2 packs have you used?

PostPosted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 1:14 am
by pjc30943
Which of these 2 packs have you used? My 2nd cilogear 60L pack is finally falling apart, and I'm in the market for another. Experiences with these?

1) BD Mission 50 Pack. http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en ... on-50-pack
They say it's not meant for vertical technical climbing, i wonder if it's because of the height of the lid. Any other reasons?

2) Osprey Variant 52. http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/product/v ... ifications
Is the ax attachment system solid, or if the back pocket bulges out does the axe shaft also (since it's attached to that)

Re: Which of these 2 packs have you used?

PostPosted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 7:10 pm
by Dane1
pjc30943 wrote:Which of these 2 packs have you used?


My apologies and know it wasn't the question. But with packs falling apart? Might I suggest looking at CCW?

Re: Which of these 2 packs have you used?

PostPosted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 9:47 pm
by pjc30943
They just come apart at the stiching? And do you mean the compression straps, or the load carrying shoulder straps?
JC wrote:#2 will have problems with the straps falling apart after a bit.

Re: Which of these 2 packs have you used?

PostPosted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 10:46 pm
by pjc30943
Interesting, that is good to know. How long did you have it, and did you have the 52 or 37 version?
I'd read many great reviews of this pack, so it's good to hear firsthand experience of a failure mode.

JC wrote:all the straps, they become weak and just fall off the bag, my shoulder strap broke on a hike, had to replace it in 1/2 inch webbing, then after that all the straps broke, every one of them.

Re: Which of these 2 packs have you used?

PostPosted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 11:09 pm
by adventurer
I agree with Dane1. Look at ColdColdWorld.com for some great packs.

Re: Which of these 2 packs have you used?

PostPosted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 11:56 pm
by pjc30943
CCW packs look great in some respects, but in others not as much (eg. no solid frame, only foam backpad). How well do they carry heavy loads?
adventurer wrote:I agree with Dane1. Look at ColdColdWorld.com for some great packs.

Re: Which of these 2 packs have you used?

PostPosted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 3:31 pm
by dskoon
I've got the Variant 52. I don't have years of use on it, but no problems so far. Very nicely organized,
and comfortable too. Would like to have something a little smaller, but, its held up so far.

Re: Which of these 2 packs have you used?

PostPosted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 5:39 pm
by Dane1
What do you consider a heavy load?

I looked at the two packs you have listed, for the size/volume a comparable CCW will carry anything the BD and Osprey will in relative comfort.

From your original comments it looked liked you wanted a robust technical pack. They don't look like much but there is a reason two of us have suggested the CCWs.

Re: Which of these 2 packs have you used?

PostPosted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:50 pm
by pjc30943
Dane, you are right, i'm looking for a robust technical pack, and CCW does look like it has the features needed with the exception of loads.
I'm interested in about 45-50 pounds comfortably. I emailed Randy asking about load carrying capability, as well as whether he could make it slightly larger. His very prompt reply is that he recommends max 40 pounds in these packs. Also, interestingly, he can add 10% volume by making it 2" longer.
Do you have experience with ~45lb in a ccw pack, and if so, how did it carry? I'm planning on adding an internal framesheet if I do get a chernobyl.

Re: Which of these 2 packs have you used?

PostPosted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:52 pm
by pjc30943
Thanks for the input. What weight loads have you carried in it? Once question was whether the axe would sway outwards if the back pocket had say crampons in them, moving the upper attachment point out. Did you find this to be the case?

dskoon wrote:I've got the Variant 52. I don't have years of use on it, but no problems so far. Very nicely organized,
and comfortable too. Would like to have something a little smaller, but, its held up so far.

Re: Which of these 2 packs have you used?

PostPosted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 9:00 pm
by Wastral
pjc30943 wrote:Dane, you are right, i'm looking for a robust technical pack, and CCW does look like it has the features needed with the exception of loads.
I'm interested in about 45-50 pounds comfortably. I emailed Randy asking about load carrying capability, as well as whether he could make it slightly larger. His very prompt reply is that he recommends max 40 pounds in these packs. Also, interestingly, he can add 10% volume by making it 2" longer.
Do you have experience with ~45lb in a ccw pack, and if so, how did it carry? I'm planning on adding an internal framesheet if I do get a chernobyl.


Any pack over 25lbs without a frame is brutal.

CCW carries as well as any other. My friend has an ancient CCW(Andanista) we always go climbing with and its still going strong. Heavier than the one you are looking at though it is very close. What stands them apart is it is a minimalist pack with just the "right" amount of correct "extra" on it for durability, useability. Though I have a BD Shadow 55 and even with its "frame" is only really good to 35-40lbs.

Weekend warrior won't go over 35lbs, if you do, really, really, cut down on your weight carried, so a little pain without a frame is ok.

Might I suggest carrying less gear? If less gear, can go with a smaller pack as well. Just tie junk on outside. If you are one of those who has to put everything inside, well you are back into large heavy packs.

How many 2 week long mountaineering trips will you actually go on? IE need for larger heavy pack with a frame.

Re: Which of these 2 packs have you used?

PostPosted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 9:25 pm
by pjc30943
Thanks for the thoughts on cutting down weight; sometimes people carry some of the gear of their smaller climbing partners, though, who can't carry all their gear... So although my weekend pack weight would normally be ~38, that weight will have about 10-12 pounds added on to it.

Re: Which of these 2 packs have you used?

PostPosted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 10:05 pm
by dskoon
pjc30943 wrote:Thanks for the input. What weight loads have you carried in it? Once question was whether the axe would sway outwards if the back pocket had say crampons in them, moving the upper attachment point out. Did you find this to be the case?

dskoon wrote:I've got the Variant 52. I don't have years of use on it, but no problems so far. Very nicely organized,
and comfortable too. Would like to have something a little smaller, but, its held up so far.


Not sure of how much I've carried; maybe up to around 40lbs. .
I don't think I"ve had the bulging problem you've mentioned, just got to adjust right. I've carried an axe, along with
skis at the same time, and haven't noticed a problem. Axe sits a bit to the side of that crampon pocket.
Had a friend check the load, etc, and it looked alright. Hope that helps.

Re: Which of these 2 packs have you used?

PostPosted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 11:51 pm
by pjc30943
I read a few reviews that state that the axe does bulge out. Looking at some user photos of the back pocket when something is inside the back pocket, the upper attachment points seem to move away a significant amount. I think this could be fixed with a custom upper attachment point though.

http://iris.backcountry.com/image/view/40332/900/900

Re: Which of these 2 packs have you used?

PostPosted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 6:34 pm
by ADKMan
I have owned a Variant 52 (as well as the 37 and 28) and they are nice packs. However I also own the CCW Chernobyl (as well as a CCW Valdez) and overall the CCW packs are better made, beefier and more functional (as well as generally being as light or lighter). In all honesty I wouldn't want to carry 50 pounds in the Chernobyl, or in any pack short of a true expedition pack like a Gregory Denali or similar class pack. Personally I don't think you would go wrong with the Chernobyl if you can keep your loads at 40 or under.