A few things missing

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

This pack is good, but not great. Other reviews do a good job of discussing the positives of this pack such as full zip access and capacity, and I agree with those. i would also add its nice durable fabric, so I dont see the bottom wearing through any time soon. Here is what I don't like. This pack won't fit a smaller than average person. I have a 30 inch waist and the waist straps are maxed out. 50 inch waist? No problem. 27 inches? You'll be carrying the weight on your shoulders. A lack of outside pockets and organizer pockets. While the second zippered pocket is nice, it's not enough. Within it are 2 zippered pockets, but I still find myself rummaging through a bunch of items in the big compartment to find what I want. The main compartment also has no top closure, so if your pack falls sideways or upside down you risk having something slide out. While you are wearing the pack. you can't access anything. If the pack is on your back, your stuff is out of reach. No easy side mesh pocket for a phone or water bottle,no waist strap pocket for a key or chapstick. It's stop and drop if you want to access any of that stuff. Overall a good pack and much better than the worthless old Kelty that I replaced, but not something to jump on, like the reviews lead me to believe. If you need a big crag pack now, go for it, but if you can hold out for the next iteration for a while longer, i recommend it.

Ethan B.

Needed to upgrade

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

Had the 35L for awhile and it is finally showing some signs of wear. It was also a little too small for trad climbing days. Decided to get the 50L and it's pretty much perfect. I'll keep the 35L for clipping bolts or whenever I'm packing a little light, but the 50L will be the go-to if I ever have to take a rack or rope.

WK

The Best Creek Pack

The name says it all! After using this pack for a season my only regret is that I didn't get one sooner.

Matthew Lundberg

Perfect Bag for Rack/Rope Storage

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

This bag is perfect! It is exactly the kind of bag you want to store your rack when you're heading down to Southern Utah. Even for sport climbing, it makes loading gear into the pack simple with a simple design including a brilliant, durable zipper that opens long-ways down the front.

Jefferson Schleifer

Bottomless

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

This pack carries amazingly well and can fit everything. favorite crag back, hands down

Matthew Lundberg

Good Technical Rope Pack

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

I am not much of a rec climber, I'm one of the people who gets called when your day of climbing goes all pear shaped... I was looking for a pack to hump a spool of 7/16 WorkPro. I decided to give this pack a try and the whole 660' fit with some room to spare. The side zip is a very nice feature that makes it super simple to rig for the ability to run main and belay off the same rope if needed. With the rope stuffed there was still enough room to stash 500' of tech cord in the front pocket for rigging. So far the only thing I wish it had is several daisey chains sewn into the outside.

Daniel H.

Trad Bag

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

I bought this bag for hauling around my trad gear. It is very comfortable even when it is fully loaded.

Collin Wogenstahl

Best Climbing Pack

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

THis is my go to sport and trad pack. With two compartments, it is very easy to keep gear separated and organized. The side zipping mechanisms allow for quick and easy access to all of your gear. Honestly, I have never regretted the fact that I bought a 50 liter pack, even if I am going sport climbing. This pack is a workhorse and is everything I ever wanted in a climbing pack.

Tommy Sutter

My Trad bag of choice

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

This is the perfect bag for trad climbing trip–it carries a full rack, ropes, helmet, gear, shoes, and I fit my follower's pack into the front pocket (a 16-18L pack). Stands up on its own for easy racking and is the admiration of many team members who use their hiking packs and struggle with removing their rack and gear. Perfect amount of storage as you can carry your helmet on your head if you need more room in the pack. Typically I use the following sizes for the use cases: 1)16L-20L for following 2) 35L-40L for sport cragging 3) 50L+ for Trad and multi-pitch. Carried through the interesting approaches to Enchanted Rock (and its rough granite surface).

David Liu

Best Cragging Pack Ever

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

The Creek 50 is everything you expect from Black Diamond. Burly and just the right amount of features to get the job done. I've been using this pack for over 3 years. The size of this pack is understated. It's actually closer to a 65L pack. What you can't see in the picture. The front pocket has 2 inner zip pockets that are perfect for stashing all the odds and ends you bring to the crag. Snacks, sunscreen, chapstick, sunglasses, tape, etc. If you don't throw it in the inner zip pockets, just toss it in the main compartment of the front pocket. I regularly have flip flops, a guidebook, beers, more snacks, dog leash/water bowl, beanie, etc. The huge side zip on the main compartment makes this the easiest pack to get to the bottom of. Some other packs have a similar design, but don't have this zipper. IMO this is a huge disadvantage. How much do I stash in here for the desert, a lot and it takes it like a champ: 6x rack of cams from .2-4 + wide gear, 2x shoes, harness, puffy, rope, helmet, 3 x liters of water This pack may cost a little more, but the years of use and abuse it will take along with never worrying about having enough space makes it the best crag pack ever. If you want something a little smaller check out the Creek 35. Finally when you climb with a bunch of BD employees and they all have this pack it says something. That crew is as picky as it comes, so for this to be an employee favorite says it all.

Ryan Collins

Built for "The Creek"

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

If you have ever been to Indian Creek, Utah. You know that you will be carrying a pretty big load. And this definitely fits the bill. Some of the routes require a ton of gear, i.e. 12 - #2 Camalots (Incredible Hand Crack) others need an 80 Meter rope, etc. It's simple top load haul bag style is awesome for loading all your gear and will stand upright when you set it down. With the side zipper that goes down the whole side of the bag making it easy to access all your gear when you need it. Super durable and will take some abuse. And carries extremely well for being so simple. Not your most multi-functional pack, but for the Creek and simple approach cragging this is perfect! Highly recommended. If you have any questions: email me: wbowen@backcountry.com or give me a call: (801) 204-4571

William Bowen

Perfect for cragging

I was tired of using my light weight top loading alpine pack for cragging, getting to things in the bottom was just a pita. The full side zip and cavernous body on the creek make getting around so much easier. The capacity on this thing is massive, 50L is understated. In the main compartment I have fit two pairs of shoes, harness, 70M 9.8, full rack of doubles from tips to 3, #4, #5, two sets of nuts, 16 alpine draws, two nalgenes, and helmet. The outside pocket took a windshirt, puffy, food, etc... I would normally split the load up with a partner, but it's great to know you have that much capacity if needed. It actually carried pretty well also. The flat haul bag style bottom is great, no more pack falling over constantly. Fabric is bomber, zippers are burly. My only gripe is that I wish it wasn't only available in black. Melts chocolate or makes for warm beer if you can't find shade.

Nick Drake

Best Bag I Own

I was looking for a bag that wasn't strictly a top-loader. This one has a zipper along the side, which provides access to your entire haul all at once. More than that, the sturdy construction and little design elements (reinforced pulls, waterproof hood, and separate storage area for things that you don't want to get chalk on) make this a 5-star pack, in my opinion.

Elliot Layda

Climbing pack

Went looking for a climbing pack that could hold my gear and my rope... Found the BD Creek and liked it, really nice side zipper opens up once your at your site... Straight forward with lots of space. Emily helped me find the right pack and hit it to me right away! Thanks Em, you're awesome!

Rich

Black Diamond Creek 50 Backpack

Adam Saucedo

Excellent, Tough, Well Thought Out Pack

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

I've used this a handful of times as it was a replacement for an older Arc'teryx Miura 50 Pack with a blown out Zipper. I'll likely have the zipper repaired by Arcteryx and sell the pack. That said, this is very tough and well built. The fabric is very waterproof (rolled into a puddle last time out). The pack is very well thought out. The single full length zipper is a great compromise from the Miura pack. It allows full access, but unlike the Miura it stays standing straight up. I can fit all gear, water, food, a double + rack and a 70 meter rope in the main compartment. I can fit a windbreaker / storm shell, wallet, food, keys etc in the large outside pocket. and my helmet sits easily on top. I also very much like the hidden daisies on either side of the main pocket. It carries well, but is a little warm without a lot of ventilation. That said, all the packs I've had with more ventilation in the suspension wore prematurely in those areas.

Patrick Mulligan

When moving from route to route (at the crag), does anyone choose to keep their harness on and then use the padded hip straps on this bag? Or do you always take your harness off?Seems like it would it would be clunky to keep taking off the harnesses, but I am then wondering how the hip straps fare when put on over a harness. Thanks!

Crystal N