Trango Crag Pack Review

OK, I admit it. Those cool kids using a haul bag as a crag pack? Yeah, that was me. Not because I thought it made me any cooler (it didn’t), but because I really liked the simplicity of it and the ability to carry a ton of gear, especially at a place like Indian Creek. Of course, real haul bags are made for hauling (gasp!), so they generally aren’t very comfortable as a pack. It was a fair trade off in my mind, until a few bags came along claiming to do both well (they didn’t). Thankfully, the new Trango Crag Pack isn’t trying to be haul bag, but is instead an incredibly durable pack that carries well, with a plethora of thoughtful features.

The Titan Wrap fabric is super durable, giving it haul bag-like properties that should mean you’ll have it for a long time. Nylon just can’t compete with this, and I’ve trashed new backpacks on their first outing. Several months in, the Crag Pack is going strong with few signs of wear. An added bonus of the stiff material is that the bag holds it’s shape really well, making packing a breeze. Toss in a rope bag at the bottom, and pile everything else on top.

There is a pocket on the side for a guidebook, a nice touch that means when visiting a new crag, you have easy access to the book to find out where you are headed. There’s also an exterior pocket designed to carry shoes. Sometimes I put a pair of kicks in there, sometimes it’s a nice spot to stow a jacket, some snacks or anything else I want quick access to. The top lid has a big zippered pocket for all those smaller items like tape, belay glasses, hat, sunscreen, etc. The other side pocket is home to a small tarp, good for keeping gear out of the dirt when racking up.

The suspension was designed for carrying gear to the cliff, not to be easily stowed when hauling, so it carries real nice. With good padding on the shoulder straps, waist belt, and back area I found the comfort to be on par with most other cragging packs out there.

As well designed as this pack is, there are a few things that would help take it to “best crag pack ever.” A dedicated helmet carrying system, like the one found on the Black Diamond Access 33 would be nice. I usually use the side compression strap to hold mine, but something a little more svelte would be helpful. I also almost never use the side zipper for internal access. Because it doesn’t go all the way to the base of the bag, it’s usually just easier to open the top to find whatever I need thanks to how well it holds its shape. And as someone who likes to take everything plus the kitchen sink, a 58L version would be the ultimate radness. Lastly, the top pocket would be nice if it had a clip for holding keys.

Three and a half out of four stars. With a few tweaks, this could be the best crag pack out there. As is, it’s an excellent choice and will cover most people’s needs just fine. And at $99, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more featured bag at such an excellent price.

Retail is $99, more info and tech specs can be found here.

Disclaimer: Wait! Before you go handing over your credit card number, ask yourself, do you really need to buy more new stuff? If so, this product is worth a look. In the spirit of full disclosure, it was provided to SplitterChoss.com for the purpose of reviewing. Don’t worry, though, our integrity can’t be bought!