Black Diamond RPM Backpack - 1587cu in - 2007 BCS

If you like to go fast and far in the mountains, the RPM is an awesome choice. We use it for late spring ski mountaineering missions and speed hikes of summer 14ers. I strap a water bottle holder on the waist belt of the pack, and sometimes a camera body holder as well. the compression cords work well for a quick taking off of the rain coat or even for strapping your skins on. MY buddy Stian Hagen swears by this pack in Chamonix for everything from all day rock routes to steep ski descents.

The Bullet is 16 liters, the Hollowpoint is 20, and this is 25 liters. I sense a progression here -- resulting in a set of packs that can do exactly the job you need at any one time. Granted the first two have fewer technical features than the RPM, but the smaller the load the less technical a pack needs to be. But thanks to BD for giving us the choice to be as minimalist as we want to be.

Reminds me of GoLite, but far better quality material, doesn’t feel like carrying a garbage bag with shoulder strap.

There are plenty of pockets inside, one under the lid, and the other against main body.

Color is not as expected, on the picture it looks solid color, but many small webbings are orange, so be aware.

I can’t tell how long the compression system will survive…maybe that’s why it has only 1 year warranty (most packs in the market has at least life time…what’s up with Black Diamond???)

Outside mesh pocket is not large enough for 1L bottle. I guess this is more adventure race ready high-speed pack, so its not intended for big water bottle to be pushed in there.

Overall I like it.

everything about this pack rocks! the rpm beats every pack ive ever used, seen or borrowed. its a true minimalist pack so if your looking for nit-picky organization, this might not be for you. its nice and skinny along your back so you wont get that irritating elbow rubbing all day. one massive main compartment that will easily gobble up most anyones rack, plus a few small pockets get for a wallet, keys, clif bar whatever. the thing that scared me about this pack (and maybe some of you too) is the hip belt, or lack of one.well let me say you WONT miss it! the shoulder straps are great and wide and hold the load in a way that you wont be miserable and besides, who wants a big padded hipbelt to get in the way when you also have a harness on? another thing i love is the compression system shrinks the back from a decent size trad back down to a tiny hydration pack. one thing i would suggest is buying one of osprey's new bladders for this pack so you dont feel the budge of a camelback on your back all day. but it really is an amazing pack and its the first time ive gotten complemented on a backpack. ive had it for several months and its been on many, many climbs with me so please people use it for its intended purpose and you wont have a single complaint either!

Simply awesome, after doing "light" overnighters consisting of no less then 25lbs for several years, I had a revelation. You dont NEED 75% of the crap most of us insist on carrying. I went out to the Trinity Alps in early April for 2 nights with nothing more then could fit into this little 26l monster and the bear can strapped to the top. I had more fun and covered close to 20 miles both days with NO discomfort thanks to this little guy.
If you are looking for a lightweight pack for approaches or bagging summer 14ers then look no further, pack smart and you can go a few days with this little guy!

If you're looking for a lightweight pack that will let you gear up, get outdoors and enjoy the day then this is it. I've used mine for a while now and could't be happier with it. It is one incredibly light pack and whatever material Black Diamond used, wears well. I thought I had mine strapped to the back of my bike, but I dragged it for a couple of miles instead. The shoulder straps got a little chewed, but, nothing worth sending it for repairs. A quick wash in the laundry tub and I was back in business. Can't wait to try it this winter.

If you're looking for a lightweight pack that will let you gear up, get outdoors and enjoy the day then this is it. I've used mine for a while now and could't be happier with it. It is one incredibly light pack and whatever material Black Diamond used, wears well. I thought I had mine strapped to the back of my bike, but I dragged it for a couple of miles instead. The shoulder straps got a little chewed, but, nothing worth sending it for repairs. A quick wash in the laundry tub and I was back in business. Can't wait to try it this winter.

Wow. Very impressed with this pack. Bought this to use as a follower pack for multi-pitch climbing. After being disappointed with the last few packs I tried, I am happy to say that this pack is working out perfectly. Great size, comfortable, and just the right feature set.

I bought this for long multipitch climbs and approaches, the kind where you don't leave anything at the base and can't take a big, stiff, heavy pack. I love the zip opening on the top. It's great for access to everything inside with minimal fiddling (no buckles or drawstrings). There's not good way to carry a rope with it, so you partner will have to haul the rope. I've used it to carry a full rack (cams, nuts, runners), harness, shoes, and a 3L water bladder for a 6mile approach. It's comfy. I miss the waistbelt (the little webbing one doesn't take the load, it just stabalizes). The side mesh pockets are accessible without removing the pack if your reasonably flexible in the shoulders. It's a keeper. I picked up the Speed 30 to carry a rope.

This is a solid, balanced pack - perfect for dayhikes. I thought I might miss a load bearing hipbelt, but if you keep it below 15-20 lbs, it doesn't seem to matter.

This is my everything pack. I can stuff my laptop in it, with 3 school textbooks, calculator, and all sorts of school materials, then later on take it all out and throw in my climbing rope, harness, chalk, hook up my quickdraws, hook up my climbing shoes, and still have space at the top to hold my wallet and camera and other things. There are two open pockets on the inside: one is against your back and can hold your water system (there is a hole on the top of the bag where the H2O tube can feed out of) while the other is on the side away from your back and can hold random items. The top flap has a zipper on the inside and out, the storage space in those would be appx. 2 regular size sandwich bags pressed back-to-back. Only two downsides: the compression (cords) system can show early signs of fraying (I've had mine for almost a year now and the compression system is still intact). The second is that when your pack is full its difficult to fit a bottle in the side mesh pockets, solve this by litening the load, throwing your H2O in the pack, or taking out your H2O pouch in your Camelbak. II will buy the same pack once i tear this one up from using it so much.