UKC

Im looking at getting a large rucksac for summer alpine and scottish winter climbing.
I've been looking at the Macpac pursuit, and the Osprey Ceres 50
I've heard a lot of good things about the Macpac range, but less about the Osprey pack (as apprently they're a new brand in the UK), has anyone used one? If so, what're they like?

In reply to Andrew Nonimus: Osprey have been making packs (and only packs) for 27 years, so I reckon you can take it that they know what's what. As you say they are reasonably new to the UK. They are a small specialist company based in Colorado, sort of the POD of the USA market (but have been going much longer than POD). If you want innovative well thought out design, great carry and super lightweight then buy the Ceres 50. If you want simple, no frills, not very modern design, but yes very tough but also quite heavy then buy the Pursuit. I'm sure that loads of people are prepared to post saying they rate the Pursuit but as Osprey haven't been in the UK that long you are probably not going to get many posts on the merits of the Ceres 50? Hope this is of some help?

In reply to Anonymous: My friend's shop stocks Osprey and they are well made packs - but what they are not is "super lightweight" - at 1.7 kg the Ceres 50 is going towards double the weight of my Crux pack.

In reply to Andrew Nonimus:

I have the Pursuit and an Osprey 35L (Kestrel Pro). No experience with the Ceres though. They are both very good quality packs... I'd suggest getting the one that fits your back better.

In reply to TobyA:
How are you getting on with the Crux, Toby?

I have been looking at one myself...

In reply to Andrew Nonimus:
The CRUX packs look fantastic. I am climbing with a modified Deuter Guide 45 and it is great, it fits me well, is light and tough. They have just started to put all this extra shit on it to(waterbottle holster, split compartments etc) But if you cut all that stuff of it becomes a fantastic and light pack.

For Alpine I still think the Arc'teryx Nozone is tops.
Fully funtional, great carry for heavy loads, can take off items to make it lighter ex: take off the padded hipbelt and swap it for a webbing one.

Won tops in rock&ice or climbing magazine for the 2nd time.

The mammut extreme 45 looked nice, but depends what your opinion of a large alpine pack is.

But in the end, get the pack that fits you best.