Expedition Packs and Duffels
Packs are one of the most important pieces of gear you can own. The right expedition bags and duffels can make help keep your climbing trip running smoothly. Comfort, size and durability are all things to keep in mind when shopping for a pack in 2020.
Deuter Aircontact Pro 65 + 15 $360
The Aircontact Pro is one of the burlier and heavyduty packs on the list. It comes in at 3,180 grams, but includes a 10-litre daypack. It’s made of robust polyester and comes with a rain cover, which is recommended in heavy rains. The zippers are easy to reach. There are a number of mounting options for longer treks and a height-adjustable lid with an extra 15 litres of storage.
Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 70 $200
The flagship of Patagonia’s packs is the
Black Hole line and the 70-litre duffel is their must-have midsize. It’s made with 100 per cent recycled polyester fabric, lining and webbing. The duffel is extremely durable, easy to pack and the interior straps help hold everything tightly in place.
Osprey Transporter 65 $180
Osprey’s reputation as a leading pack brand is based on decades of designing tough, sleek and long-lasting bags that have been to remote ranges and around the world. The Transporter expedition duffel is a workhorse. It has eight side panel web lashing points, zippered end pockets, big grab handles, a big U-zip main compartment and internal zippered mesh pockets. The shoulder strap is included. A great bang-for-your-buck duffel for this year’s trips.
Mountain Hardwear Alpinelite 50 $450
The Alpinelite is Mountain Hardwear’s outstanding new pack, which carries heavy loads extremely well thanks to the rigid, removable, metal frame. It’s surprisingly light thanks to the dyneema fabric. The ice tool attachment is simple and quick to use. One of the coolest features is the removable rigid-foam-insert you can use as a seat in camp. The single gear loop on the belt is sufficient for glacier travel gear. Highly recommended.
Black Diamond Mission 75 $300
This large pack is built for high-altitude climbs and backcountry trips. The suspension system helps spread the load on long approaches and hikes. There’s a pouch for crampons, ice tools and a rope strap. The hip belt and top lid can be removed and the spindrift collar helps keep snow on the outside of the pack. Compression straps in smart places adjust the volume for smaller loads.
Arc’teryx Alpha AR 55 $300
Once you’ve arrived at your expedition destination, you’ll need an alpine/rock pack to get the climb done. The Alpha AR 55 uses Arc’teryx’s tear-resistant fabric that is both versatile and light. The removable framesheet and top lid give you the option to strip the pack down and only bring the essentials. With 55 litres of space, you can pack layers, gear and a bivy set up. A must-have multi-day alpine pack.
The North Face Women’s Griffin 65
$400
The Griffin 65 is a new versatile multiday pack designed with a new system that allows you to adjust the back panel on the fly. The lid detaches and can be used as a smaller summit pack. You can use the pack without the lid thanks to a slick power-mesh pocket. The J-zipper lets you fully open the pack to get to your things. A great pack for travelling and expeditions.—gripped