Alpine packs

If your alpine aspirations require carrying ice axe, crampons or technical equipment, a dedicated alpine pack is essential.

Capacity
It’s not uncommon to have a couple of alpine packs, anywhere from 35 to 75 litres. A small pack for day climbs or light overnight trips and something bigger for those multiday day trips where you want the lightest pack possible, but still the capacity and fixtures for carrying your equipment. Alpine trips require heavy loads, so it’s worth saving weight by having the right pack for the job.

Harness
A fixed back-length is desirable, both for fail-safe simplicity and weight saving. Excessive padding and air-flow harnesses aren’t necessary as you’ll usually be wearing more clothing. Look for a simple, but durable frame system. Some alpine pack frames comprise a folded foam mat that can be used for camping and bivouacs.

Hipbelt
A removable, or fold-away, hipbelt will allow easy access to your climbing harness.

Gear storage
The ease of attachment for ice tools and crampons is what sets alpine packs apart from tramping packs. Compression straps and small, open pockets at the pack’s base make it easy to carry snow anchors, tent poles or an avalanche probe. External zip pockets are generally restricted to the lid. Essential features are tool holsters and gear loops on the waist belt – handy for stashing your ice axe or clipping gear to while rock climbing.

Fabric
The main considerations are weight and abrasion resistance; these factors both outweigh waterproofness, so it’s common to see polyurethane-coated (PU) polyester fabrics used, usually in the 210-600 denier range. Look for higher-denier fabrics in high-wear areas such as the base and at tool attachment points.

Stability
Because alpine packs tend be narrow, there is a tendency for them to be top heavy. Careful packing alleviates this, but also try on different packs to see what suits your torso length and pick a harness style that is comfortable for you.

Compression
Compression straps help to pull the load closer to your back and to squash the pack down when it’s not at full capacity.

General features
Other features may include a removable lid; rope/compression strap under lid; a ‘haul point’ for attaching a rope to haul the pack; hydration compatibility; a few extra attachment points – like daisy chains – for ‘overflow’ equipment, such as tent and climbing helmet.

Now you know what to look for, it’s time to choose a pack.

The North Face Cobra 60 $450 Aluminum frame, floating removable lid, stowable helmet carry, oversized crampon pocket, tool keepers with covered tips, rope carry, wand pockets, ski-carry, hipbelt pocket, tool loop on hipbelt, hydration sleeve, removable frame sheet and hipbelt, lash points, reflective hits. Fabric 420D two-tone Cordura nylon, 500D nylon Capacity 57l, 60l Weight 1670g, 1730g.	Montane Fast Alpine $309 Moulded Comfort Climb Back Pad with ventilation channels, Contact Mesh shoulder straps, removable padded hipbelt, internal security pocket, extendable top lid, rope carry, ice axe attachment points, removable alpine mat, grab handle, hydration compatible. Fabric Raptor RS with DWR Capacity 40l Weight 1350g.	Lowe Alpine Mountain Attack 35:45 $299.95 Double Head Locker axe attachment system, top and side entry, removable hipbelt, WebCatcher fastening system, Adaptive Fit harness, removable frame, ski slots, compression system Fabric Trishield Grid Capacity 35+10l Weight 1480g.
Macpac Pursuit 40 NZAT $249.99  Active-X harness with moulded back panel, zip-opening main compartment, webbing waist belt, haul loop, webbing rope carry and compression strap, lid pocket, removable bivvy mat, dual ice axe attachments, daisy chains for optional bungee attachment, low profile shoulder straps, non-absorbent back panel fabric. Fabric 210D nylon with Dyneema ripstop, 500D Cordura nylon base Capacity 40l (size 3) Weight 610g.