Mountain Hardwear

Alpine Light 50L Backpack

Super light and durable

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

Size Bought:

ML

Weight:

160

I use this bag for rock climbing with a bunch of quickdraws, carabiners, ropes, snacks and DLS camera. It is designed for ice climbing, but it is still very handy for normal rock climbing especially when you want to take sufficient food and a chair for a long day climbing trip. It becomes my essential climbing pack now!

Nice size, light.

I use this for backcountry skiing. I like the size as I can bring a full down coat in it for say if we have a long lunch or accident, the space makes it easy to stuff quickly into the bag. I don't the like the top, the back clip comes off when you open the lid, meaning you have to cinch the inner part of the top, and thread the webbing on the clips front and back. I guess they do this so you can remove the lid. I had an old scrambler pack that used this clip on the front only it was ok, but I was surprised the roll top was even easier to use and more waterproof. Too bad that pack has gone back to this clip, and now it apparently comes off during use? I got half size nalgenes too use in the side pockets.

Tool Retention System Design Flaw

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

I used this backpack on a recent climb up Glacier Peak in the Cascades (36 miles 10k of vert). I actually really like the backpack. It looks cool, it carried great. However the "Tool Retention System" has a design flaw. There's a left and right side bungee with a tool insert clip. The side with my Ice Axe broke (not sure how, but clearly the bungee cords that hold it are not very durable). This would be fine as there's another side and I probably would have just used the other side and lived with it, however the two retention sides are connected, so if you break one side, then the other side is broke as well, thus rendering the entire system useless. I had to rig up my ice axe on the hike out which was really annoying. Returned the pack. Honestly a simple rugged retention strap would have worked better than this bungee mess "system".

Big bag… made with big love!

Great, versatile pack geared towards the Alpine. It’s lightweight and has a very open mouth to be able to dump plenty of gear into. The shoulder straps and removable hip belt are very comfy for being thin and lightweight… my past experiences with different packs is that this would eventually start cutting into the shoulders and waste leading to a difficult decent… but this pack was still comfy, even when you feel like a nail being hammered into the ground.

Fantastic Alpine Climbing Pack

My favorite overnight Alpine pack. Carries crampons and ice axe/s well. Lightweight modular design is sweet -can pare down as summit pack. The two side pockets get covered up if you strap stuff to sides of pack - however they become clutch organization when using the pack as a minimalist summit pack (lid off, etc). I'm 5'1" and the S/M fits well and carries well. One wish is for the waist belt pockets to be larger.

Great bag

Very nice bag, large and lightweight with good crampon and ice axe attachments.

Perfect but !

The backpack is perfect, technical, light, resistant but it is only missing something... side pocket to put bottles

Good pack for winter peak bagging

I like this pack a lot. I use it for overnight snowshoeing in the Northeast. I typically hike in, set up camp, reduce the pack size and go for peaks. The 50L size is good for this. Sometimes I lash a ~10 liter stuff sack to the top with my puffy clothes. I’m 6’ tall and the larger size fits well. Things I would change: The hood needs actual buckles, so it can be easily removed. No one like to fiddle with sliding straps through small slots when it’s zero degrees. I would add a small outside pocket at the bottom of one of the sides for tent poles. The daisy chains are fine, but could be wider for my snowshoes. I don’t like the white fabric. It discolored quickly, especially from the sweat on my back. All this said, I would definitely buy it again.

Raide vs, Mtn Hardware

Think it has just about everything you could wish for other than back panel access like the raid research bag has. Otherwise super light, I’m in love.

Better than hyperlite :)

Great pack! I've used it for a couple alpine climbs and several ice cragging days. It carries a load really well and all the "creature comfort" features are well constructed and useful, ie the side pockets, internal pocket, tool/crampon attachment. The tool carry is no fuss and works great for both techy and straight shaft tools, which is great. The crampon carry is also simple and light, though I'm hoping there isn't any long term wear on the face material. I happen to prefer hip belt pockets over gear loops so I'm a fan of those. The reason I like this pack so much over similar alternatives are the internal frame and load lifter straps are very sorely missed features missing from too many alpine packs. Not sure on long term durability yet as Ive only had it for a month but I've had it out on probably a dozen outings so far and its held up great.