Arc'teryx Cierzo 35 Backpack - 2136cu in - 2008 BCS

This pack is quite functional as the simple and light day pay, you can strip the extra straps and make it really simple, as a stuff in your big pack and carry along for a day pack kind of deal. The fabric doesn't like sharp things or rocks very much and falls apart quickly. For half the price you can get an extremely similar pack from the canadian company MEC.

Finally got a chance to bust this out on Shasta's Casaval route. The bag folds up pretty small, even with the foam pad left in. On summit day, it held shovel, avy probe, liter of water, ice axe (x2), trekking pole (x1), down jacket, shells (top and bottom), and some food/first aid.Overall I was really happy with it. A few complaints...the ice axe loops and buckle sizes. I knew that it only came with one velcro loop, but my haul-bag is the Bora 80, so my plan was to just strip off the velcro straps for that and use them on the Cierzo. Only problem is that the Bora straps are too wide, had to take a knife to the cierzo straps to get it to fit. As for the buckle sizes, they seemed a bit on the small side. I kept on mis-clipping the bag closed, accidentally connecting the side-straps to the top lid. Would have been nice for a little differentiation between strap systems. Finally, I had trouble getting the opening to cinch closed, seemed to take some work to get the coord to properly close off the opening.For what it's worth, I think my partner is thinking of getting one because of the huge weight savings on summit day.

Pros: Well made, super light and almost perfect for weight concious high altitude ascents. Zippers are water proof quality. Adequate gear straps.

Cons: Price, single point of access to bag, zero back support, one ice axe/tools velcro strap

For $100, this is an expensive luxury to have as your secondary pack. This was made as a pack with climbers in mind. Though falling short. As a weight concious gearhead, no one would complain about the benefits of an side access zipper. The pack is light enough to allow that much. The shoulder straps are light, well made and comfortable enough and have gear loops for extra crabs, QDs etc. Though it falls short of expelling exess sweat and moisture.

My biggest gripe though is the part of the pack that comes in contact with the back. The pack itself is flimsy and sags due to the lack of back support. A piece of foam is all you get. The foam's effect is actually negated and doesn't come in contact with the back at all if you're sporting a water bladder. Once the bladder is inserted, the only thing between you and the bladder is the nylon material which the pack is made from. The bladder should be on the opposite side of the foam but isn't. If you're starting in the early morning, this leads to starting your climb/hike with your h20 bladder uncomfortably cold (sometimes frozen) and uncontoured to your spine. The hip straps could use some padding.

Despite the quality construction and intentions you could tell that this was a prototyped rushed into production and poorly executed. Where were the testers who objected to the lack of back design ?

Better luck next time. Hopefully the price won't go up.

Great pack for day hikes from a base camp or while traveling. Packs into its lid and takes up little space while backpacking, and much more comfortable than using the detachable lid. Just enough features to make it functional. Recommended if you are looking for a light weight, packable backpack while back country backpacking or traveling. Not recommended if you are looking for an all-purpose everyday use day pack.

I bought this pack, like many based upon the internet pictures, Arcteryx history of quality, weight, and "hydration compatible. I have to admit I was suprised, it appeared to be cheaply made, and hydration compatible didn't mean hydration sleeve, just a couple holes where a hydration tube can be threaded through. For the price I was very disappointed. There are many packs from Osprey,Deuter, Black Diamond, Golite, and others that offer more features, higher quality craftsmanship, more comfort, comparable or less weight, at a cheaper price. Arcteryx is more overpriced fad than function anymore.

I have been looking for a pack that would do what the Cierzo does for a long time. It is a light weight alpine pack designed to be carried in a big pack on the approach, then pulled out for the climb. I've had two other lightweight packs that were most uncomfortable when water and photography equipment were added to parka and clothes. This pack's suspension system, even though it's minimalist, works adequately. The slot for the foam pad doubles as a hydration sleeve. The zippers are water tight. My stuff in this pack didn't get wet in a thunderstorm on the South Sister.

A great alpine pack for long days. Not likely to be very durable, but I wouldn't expect that for such a light pack. It only came with one tool-shaft-Velcro-holder-thingy, which was kind of odd, but otherwise it is well designed.