UKC

I need to get another sac for winter (Scotland). getting really peed off with carrying all my mates kit in a 65 litre Alpinist, but my 35 litre ends up having more kit on the outside than the inside. Does anyone do a sac with a vertical body zip (like the Haston Alpinist if anyone remembers those)?
What sac?'
Cheers
SteveW

lowe alpine contour mountain 45. brilliant climbing bag. get one of the old spec ones (with gear loops) if you can.

look at R+R for their bargain ME bags

In reply to Steve Ward: contour mountain 45 lowe alpine and on eor tow of the pod sacks

In reply to Steve Ward: I use a MacPac Pursuit and have found it to be EXCELLENT. However, the best advice I can give you is to buy the sack that fits you the best. When trying on sacks at a shop, make sure you get them to fill it up with clothes, gear etc. so it weighs the right amount.

In reply to Steve Ward:

Right, I have just purchased a Mountain Equipment Diamond 50+ climbing/alpine sac (in black ooh!though you also get red and electric blue) - by far the BEST wee sac I have ever ever ever bought and i've had a few(11 of various sizes and makes)

Comes in 3 sizes small, med and large - I'm 5ft 8 so med is perfect. Infinitely comfortable (fully loaded with essentail winter gear)- adjustable bits for fit, removeable strut in the back - all the usual perks..side compression straps (2 each side)..adjustable bungee cord crampon holder thingy on front.....twin daisy chain jobbies on the front....

plus it has lid exterior and interior pockets, seperate locking system underneath main closing clip thing, bomb proof bottom, two really strong gear loops (much akin to the ones you get on your harness)on the waist belt....oh the list goes on.

I had it ut in torrential rain yesterday and although we know no sac will keep your stuff totally dry unless you use waterproof liners, blackplastic bags etc..this was really quite good.

I'd thoroughly reccommend it! Cheap too......down from £90 to £40 at Rock and Run, though mine was on back order and i don't know the supply situation.

In reply to Steve Ward:
I'll second john on the Macpac Pursuit. Comfort is legendary, bombproof construction and all the features you want. OK so it may be slightly(!) more expensive than its competitors but it well worth the extra pennies. All my other sacks (lowe (x2) and mountain equipment) have been gathering dust since I bought the Pursuit, use it for everything - ski touring, climbing, walking, day trips, weekenders. If you're desparte for the zipped compartment try the Macpac Rocketeer similar fit to the Pursuit but more features bias towards climbing.

In reply to James: Agree I've got an Macpac Ascent, its bigger than the pursuit, but not too heavy for its size, it is the most comfortable sack I've ever carried, so I would recommend the brand.
P.s. Picked it up in a sale for £90.

In reply to AndrewB:
In addition to the Pursuit I've also got the Ascent when needs dictate I need more room however it can be that little bit too big for day/weekend trips.

In reply to Steve Ward:

Ditto that - I also have both the Macpac Pursuit & Ascent. They are both, in my opinion, as good as it gets. No frills, no bullshit just bombproof quality and superb design. And they come in different sizes.

But...not cheap, so go along to a good gear shop (like Peglers in Arundel) and they'll make sure they fit you. I took my wife to Peglers to get one when we were going to NZ but the Macpac(Women's) harness just did not suit her shape.

Check out Fairydown sacks as well - also from NZ and made there too I think. They look really good but I haven't tried one yet - and by the way the Macpacs seem to last, I probably won't need to for quite a long time.

andyg

In reply to Steve Ward: not the greatest climbing magazine in the world but Trail have just done a review of the top mid sized packs including Macpac, POD, M.E. Berghaus and Outdoor Designs.

Most the sacks get a good right up.

In reply to andyg:

another vote for the macpacs - I've a 6 year old pursuit and an ascent I picked up last winter. Generally find the pursuit packed to bursting for winter climbing so use the ascent insted. The ascents also roomy enough I've been away with it packed for 4 day alpine trips....

Expensive but definitely worth it

In reply to chris j:
"another vote for the macpacs"
And another. I've a pursuit also - before they had different back sizes, with a single central fastex.
Utterly Brilliant, superbly comfy. My best bit of kit by a mile. I'll probably upgrade the wife first.

In reply to jim:

No Macpacs in the Trail review. Anyway it's mostly aimed at walking sacs and doesn't really say anything about the features climbers would be interested in even if the sac has them.

Oh, and they didn't like the Lowe Contour Mountain 45 very much. I can understand that. I have a Contour Mountain 30 and while it is OK - I take it skiing with me every year - it is not my favourite sac. My climbing sac is a Lowe Rondoy 50, which seems pretty good, but I think next time I would go with the majority opinion and buy the Macpac Pursuit.

In reply to Steve Ward:
I loves my Macpac Pursuit......
The way I chose it was to go into a shop selling a really wide range, and try them all on, without looking at the price tags. I spent hours playing around with the back systems and drove the assistants potty, but none came close to the pursuit for fit and comfort. THEN I looked at the price tag. Sods law dictates that the pack you like the best will be 20 quid more expensive than anything else in the shop.....

In reply to Lucy:
Guess who's buying a Macpac Pursuit?
just a question of the dollars now!
Thanks everyone
SteveW

In reply to Steve Ward: I reccomend buying a 45 or 50 litre sac

In reply to Steve Ward: If you can find on the mac pac rocketeer is a fantastic sack. Ideal for climbing,mountaineering and skiing, there's no better buy in my book!!! If your under 6 foot a sze 2 will be required and size 3 for taller ppl.

In reply to Steve Ward:
If you can get to an "Outside" shop or look at their web site - www.outside.co.uk - Take time to look at a POD Black Ice sac, these fantasic sacs have been designed for scottish winter work. Tuff as old boots, You can even get 12,ltr pockets for them if you want to use it for backpacking weekends. The sac is very versatile. Lid can be removed as can the hip belt. double protection on front so crampon points dont wear the sac. - Brilliant.

In reply to Steve Ward: the blue diamond 50 on the rock and run site its half price and ausome ..do it whilst you can

In reply to John:

I have looked at this sack. What features make the sac good? Does your back get sweaty because in contact with the padding, or is there some air flow?

Thanks, Jonathan

In reply to Steve Ward: If you've not got a sack already, have a look at Aguille rucksacks. Not that well known, but bombproof and just the thing check out the website on http://www.aiguillealpine.co.uk/ I know that they sell them at up and under in cardiff too. have a chat to duncan in up and under as he (and another of the chaps there) know the score. Duncan owns both a macpac and an aguille, so he's a good bet. remember tho. It's gotta be comfy on ya back.

In reply to Steve Ward:
If u get one that expands upwards, make sure u get a floating lid. Other wise it will really piss u off!!!!!!

In reply to Steve Ward:
Thanks for all the help... Christened my new Macpac Pursuit going from Moel Eilio to Snowdon and back in a horseshoe.
Bloody thing is amazingly comfortable, fortunately, the help of the staff in the shop made sure i got the right size.
Cheers all
SteveW

In reply to Steve Ward: Karrimor Aplinist 45+10, had it since they first came out, bombproof, first class bit of kit with a lifetime warranty even if you damage it.

In reply to jimbo: I should invoke that guarantee. Mine broke a drawstring within days of me buying it, and I find the single buckle design (2 years ago) to be a design flaw. If I pull too hard when trying to close the lid, or grab the pack there when hoofing it around, it opens.