Best Climbing Packs (Review & Buying Guide) in 2023

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If hiking backpacks — designed to slog heavy loads over long distances — are the generalist of the backcountry world, then climbing packs are the specialists. Climbing packs are designed with a narrow and tapered profile, use durable and abrasion-resistant material like Dyneema or Spectra reinforced ripstop nylon, and exclude comfort features like foam padding on hip belts, back panels, and shoulder straps to save weight. Climbing packs are built that way becuase mountaineering requires technical gear such as ropes, slings, carabiners, harnesses, belay devices, helmets, cams, nuts, ice axes, avalanche shovels, avalanche probes, snow pickets, and crampons, so they need specific places and attachment points to stow them all.

To that end, best climbing packs will haul all your gear from the trailhead to the base of the climb but won’t impede your ability to climb. Gear makers accomplish this by finding the right balance of storage space, durability, and wearability. Here’s how the climbing packs on our list shook out after rigorous testing — and why one of them might just be your new best friend for your next big climb.

Best Overall: Mystery Ranch Scepter 35
Best Value: Black Diamond Speed 40
Editor’s Choice: Mountain Hardwear AMG 55
Best for Rock Climbing: Mountain Hardwear Scrambler 35
Best Alpine: Mountain Hardwear Alpine Light 35
Honorable Mention Value: Patagonia Ascensionist 35
Best Minimalist: Arcteryx Alpha FL 40
Best for Caves and Canyons: Sea to Summit FLOW 35L Dry Pack
Best Crag Bag: Black Diamond Crag 40L

Best Overall

Mystery Ranch Scepter 35

Pros

Most comfortable shoulder straps and hip belt
Adjustable yoke for custom fit
Designed for snow, ice, and gloved hands
Burly materials
Best ice tool retention system
Quick-access avalanche gear pocket

Cons

Heavier than most climbing packs

Product Specs

Weight: 3.3 pounds (1,496 grams)
Capacity: 34.4L
Torso length:
S/M: 15 – 20 inches
L/XL: 17 – 24 inches
Pack waist:
S/M: 26 – 36 inches
L/XL: 35 – 40+ inches
Materials:
320D Phantom Ripstop body (wax-coated)
840D Nylon with carbonite coating
Waterproof: Highly water-resistant
Hipbelt: Yes

Best Value

Black Diamond Speed 40

Pros

Rugged construction
Lightweight
Versatile
Great value

Cons

Not waterproof
Velcro tool retainers prone to ice clogging
Not great for carrying skis

Product Specs

Weight:
S/M: 2 pounds 8 ounces (1,190 grams)
M/L: 2 pounds 9 ounces (1,210 grams)
Capacity:
S/M: 38L
M/L: 40L
Torso length:
S/M: 16 – 19 inches
M/L: 18.5 – 21.5 inches
Pack waist:
S/M: 26 – 40 inches
M/L: 28 – 45 inches
Materials:
210D Ripstop main compartment
420D Abrasion-resistant bottom
Waterproof: Light precipitation-resistant, not waterproof
Hipbelt: Yes, removable

Editor’s Choice

Mountain Hardwear AMG 55

Pros

Built to last, super durable
Well-designed, everything has a place
Functional with gloved hands
Comfortable carrying heavy loads
Versatile

Cons

No pockets for small items on hip belt
Top skirt could be longer
A bit heavier than similar packs
Expensive

Product Specs

Weight:
S/M: 4 pounds 9.9 ounces (2,096 grams)
M/L: 4 pounds 10.8 ounces (2,120 grams)
Capacity:
S/M: 55L
M/L: 57L
Torso Length:
S/M: 16 – 19 inches
M/L: 18 – 21 inches
Pack Waist:
S/M: 29 – 48 inches
M/L: 31 – 51 inches
Materials:
200D Spectra ripstop nylon
840D nylon with carbonate coating
Waterproof: Resistant
Hipbelt: Yes

Best for Rock Climbing

Mountain Hardwear Scrambler 35

Pros

Great design and details
Lightweight
Durable materials
Water-resistant

Cons

Thin hip belt
Interior seams not sealed

Product Specs

Weight:
S/M: 2 pounds (907 grams)
M/L: 2 pounds 0.3 ounces (916 grams)
Capacity:
S/M: 35L
M/L: 37L
Torso length:
S/M: 16 – 19 inches
M/L: 18 – 21 inches
Pack waist:
S/M: 28 – 34 inches
M/L: 33 – 39 inches
Materials: 4-Layer Dimension-Polyant fabric
Waterproof: Water-resistant
Hipbelt: Yes

Best Alpine Climbing Pack

Mountain Hardwear Alpine Light 35

Pros

Superb design
Lightweight
Versatile
Great organization options
Advanced materials
Water-resistant

Cons

Second top pocket not deep enough for 1L Nalgene
White material is hard to see in snow, shows dirt quickly

Product Specs

Weight:
S/M: 1 pound 14.9 ounces (877 grams)
M/L: 1 pound 15.5 ounces (894 grams)
Capacity:
S/M: 35L
M/L: 37L
Torso length:
S/M: 16 – 19 inches
M/L: 18 – 21 inches
Pack waist:
S/M: 29 – 48 inches
M/L: 31 – 51 inches
Materials: 200D Nylon Spectra Ripstop
Waterproof: No
Hipbelt: Yes

Honorable Mention Value Climbing Pack

Patagonia Ascensionist 35

Pros

Ultralight
Well-designed, simple
Durable material

Cons

Fiddly top strap
Some folks find the double long skirt cavernous

Product Specs

Weight: 1 pounds 15 ounces (890 grams)
Capacity: 35L (expandable to XXL)
Torso Length:
S/M: 16 – 19 inches
M/L: 19 – 22 inches
Pack Waist:
S/M: 26 – 36 inches
M/L: 28 – 36 inches
Materials:
Pack/Collar PU coated 420D/70D 100% recycled ripstop nylon
Lining: 200D 100% recycled PU coated polyester
Waterproof: Highly water-resistant
Hipbelt: Yes

Best Minimalist Alpine Pack

Arcteryx Alpha FL 40

Pros

Simple, efficient design
Bombproof construction
Lightweight
Weather-resistant
Comfortable shoulder straps

Cons

Expensive
Not great for heavy load hauling
Detachable side compression straps not provided
External pocket not very usable when pack is fully stuffed
Almost no ventilation on back panel

Product Specs

Weight: 1 pounds 9 ounces (715 grams)
Capacity: 40L (roll top extendable to 52L)
Torso length:
Short: 16.75 – 18.75 inches
Regular: 18.24 – 20.25 inches
Pack waist: 28 to 44 inches
Materials: N400r-AC2 Nylon 6 ripstop (400D)
Waterproof: Highly water-resistant
Hipbelt: Yes

Best for Climbing in Caves and Canyoneering

Sea to Summit FLOW 35L Dry Pack

Pros

Waterproof
Comfortable
Durable construction

Cons

Heavier than other 35L packs
Expensive

Product Specs

Weight: 2 pounds 11 ounces (1210 grams)
Capacity: 35L Torso
Length: 18 – 22 inches
Pack Waist: 28 – 46 inches
Materials: TPU-laminated 420D Nylon
Waterproof: Yes
Hipbelt: Yes

Best Value Crag Bag

Black Diamond Crag 40L

Pros

Easy to load
Decent capacity
Easy-access side zipper
Moderately priced

Cons

Lacks internal organization features
Smallish inside zipper pocket
No exterior water bottle pocket(s)
Doesn’t stand up on its own well
Not super versatile

Product Specs

Weight: 2 pounds 1 ounces (941 grams)
Capacity:
S/M: 38L
M/L: 40L
Torso length: 20.5 inches
Pack waist: up to 52 inches
Materials: 840D Nylon, 1,260 Ballistic Nylon
Waterproof: No
Hipbelt: Yes

Why you should trust us

I’ve been an outdoorsman for more than 35 years. I’m an avid long-distance backpacker, rock climber, and mountaineer who understands the value well-designed gear delivers, especially when your life depends on it. I don’t get paid by the manufacturers and have editorial independence. My editor leaves it to me to recommend and prints what I write. All of this enables me to provide you, our valued readers, with our unvarnished, honest opinions on the recommendations we make.

Types of climbing packs

Climbing backpacks are specialized gear designed to haul loads somewhat comfortably over horizontal terrain and be compact and streamlined enough to provide stability and freedom of movement over vertical terrain.

Rock climbing

Most rock climbing backpacks are designed for one-day multi-pitch climbing and have volume capacities ranging from 14 to 20 liters. They are intended to carry essential equipment like an extra rope, rack of climbing protection, harness, approach shoes, a headlamp, water, food, rain and warming layers, and a communication device. Generally, they are carried by the person belaying the leader to allow the leader to focus on leading the pitch.

It’s important to get a rock climbing bag that’s large enough to stow all of your gear inside of it. Crap dangling off the side tends to come unattached and go dangerously hurtling down the rock face. Climbing packs ride higher off the hips to avoid getting in the way of your climbing harness and most have removable hip belts and emergency whistles built into the sternum straps. Look for packs that are made from more durable materials, as they will be frequently abrading against rock and bombroof haul loops. Crag bags and small haul bags also fit into this category.

Alpine mountaineering packs

Alpine packs are designed to support adventures over mixed terrain like rock, ice, and snow. They all sport top-loading designs and lean towards much lighter high-tensile fabrics than rock climbing packs to save on overall weight. Alpine packs are also designed to externally carry ice axes via loop or toggle retention systems, crampons in special external pockets or with straps, and most have the ability to carry skis or snowboards. Most will have design considerations for quick access to avalanche safety kits consisting of a shovel, avalanche probe, and snow saw. They’ll also have design features for externally carrying ice pickets and ropes. For one to three day mountaineering adventures, look for packs in the 35- to 50-liter range.

Mountaineering expedition packs

These packs generally sport all the features of alpine mountaineering packs but have much greater internal capacity (ranging from 55 to 110 liters) to accommodate for additional high altitude and cold-weather equipment. Due to the heavier loads, they are designed with more robust and more comfortable suspension systems designed to transfer the weight of the pack to your hips. The back panels are generally designed to provide more ventilation than alpine packs. They’ll also have more external attachment points, internal access points, and internal organization pockets.

Key features of climbing packs

Climbing packs are specially designed to carry specialized equipment in addition to normal gear, like warming and weather layers of clothing, food, water, and shelter.

Ice axe and crampon attachment points

When the climb requires movement over steep, hardened snow or ice, ice axes and crampons will help keep you stuck to the mountain and prevent you from hurtling to your death. It’s important to have a place to conveniently (externally) and securely stow these items so you don’t have to rummage through your pack and waste time retrieving them. If you are just doing rock climbing, look for a pack without these features as they will just add overall weight and not be used.

Higher riding, more streamlined hip belts

When climbing, you’ll generally be wearing a climbing harness — unless you’re a free soloing freak like Alex Honnold — and you’ll want a pack with a hip belt that doesn’t get in the way of your climbing harness’ gear loops, belay device and loop, and buckle. Most climbing backpacks are designed to ride a bit higher on the hips for this reason. As such, they transfer more of the load to your shoulders than backpacking packs, which are designed to transfer the load to the hips. Many larger capacity climbing packs feature removable padded hip belts to provide additional comfort and load transference on long approaches and later be removed to save weight on ascents.

Rope attachment points

Ropes coils are bulky and heavy, and you’ll want a pack that can efficiently and securely stow them. Look for climbing packs with top rope cinch loops and also side compression straps to secure ropes to the pack.

Benefits of climbing packs

Performance and mobility

When climbing, it truly helps to have a pack designed for vertical terrain. On my first foray into the big hills in the winter, I took a Gregory backpacking pack, which was great on the approach, but when we got on the wall, I realized the pack stays and the top pocket kept me from looking up while wearing my helmet, which sucked. Transitioning to a climbing pack was transformative and I quickly appreciated how the streamlined, flat back paneled pack helped keep the load lower and closer to my center of gravity, which helped me balance more carefully on small footholds on steep pitches. It also interfered much less with my arm and leg range of motion.

Versatility and adaptability

When working high up at altitude, shaving every ounce matters. Most well-designed climbing packs will enable you to strip off components like padded hip belts, internal frame sheets, and top pockets to be left at camp during summit bids. They are designed with extended snow skirts to allow for overstuffing the bag and increasing the carrying capacity considerably. Climbing packs also generally feature multiple external attachment points for carrying additional gear.

Ruggedness and durability

Rock walls can abraid pack material quite quickly, and most climbing packs are designed to be abrasion-resistant. They’re also designed to keep sharp metal pokey things like ice axes and crampon points from puncturing the pack fabric and damaging gear stowed within. Generally, the more abrasion-resistant the pack is, the heavier it is, so go with the lightest material that will adequately do the job over time.

Climbing backpack pricing considerations

Budget

It’s hard to find climbing packs in a budget range because most are made with more design features, are more rugged, and are made with more advanced materials than daypacks for backpacking packs. You also have a lot more riding on the performance of a climbing pack — like your life — so it’s best not to skimp or cut corners. It’s best to wait for a quality pack to go on sale. If you can find a quality climbing pack for less than $130, it’s a steal.

Mid-range

Most quality climbing packs start around $150 full price. The least expensive one I reviewed was the Black Diamond Speed 40 which retails at $189 but can be found on Amazon for $140. I consider $150 to $250 mid-range for climbing packs.

Premium

Premium packs generally cost more due to the use of advanced lightweight materials and increased workmanship around specialized design features. Consider anything more than $250 a premium pack. If you have Benjamins to burn, check out the Hyperlite Prism from Mountain Gear, the Arc’Teryx Alpha FL 40, or the Mountain Hardwear AMG 55.

How we chose our top picks

All the climbing packs in this review were selected based on performance reputation, hands-on inspection, interviewing other experts, and thoroughly reviewing manufacturers’ specifications. We take our time to get to know the strengths and weaknesses of each item, and also check out the reviews of other experts just to make sure we’re not missing anything.

FAQs on climbing backpacks

You’ve got questions, Task & Purpose has answers.

Q: How do I know what size pack to get?

A: There are two essential considerations on pack sizes. First, get a pack that fits your body (torso and waist measurements), and second, get a pack that’s big enough to support the climbing you are going to do. It’s useful to think of this in terms of days.

Up to a half day: < 20L
One day/all day: 20 – 39 L
One to three days: 40 – 56 L
Three to five days: 60 – 80L
Five or more days: > 80L

Q: Do I need ice axe and crampon retention systems?

A: Yes, if you care about living and are going to move over snow and ice. If you’re not moving over snow and ice (check the weather forecast), then you might consider a pack without them to save weight.

Q: Can I get away with just one pack?

A: It depends. There’s a lot of versatility in the 35- to 50-liter range of packs. If in doubt, go with the larger pack that has compression straps and a longer snow skirt that enables overstuffing. I’ve used one trusty 40-liter pack for years and it met most of my needs reliably.

Q: What’s the best way to determine what size I need to fit my body?

A: Check each manufacturer’s specs for the torso length and hip belt dimensions. Most manufacturers make climbing packs in small/medium and medium/large sizes. The best thing is to try them on in the store with a load in the main storage chamber. Even better is to buy them online from a reputable retailer with a solid return policy, take them to a climbing gym, treat them carefully, and see how they perform on a wall.