Black Diamond Pipe Dream 45 Pack Review

I have to admit, when I first saw the Black Diamond Pipe Dream, I thought it was just a gimmick that all the cool kids in Rifle were sporting. I mean, it looked unnecessarily large and bulky, and why would I need a mini-crash pad for sport climbing?

And then I got one, and my perspective was changed. I generally prefer larger packs, and even for sport climbing it was nice to have a big burrito to fill with rope, draws, clothes, water, food, etc. This was especially nice for winter cragging, when the kit tends to be a little heavier with more layers, thermos, etc.

Named after the incredible cave in Maple Canyon, the idea was to have a pack that you could lay out at the base of dusty sport crag, keeping your things from getting covered in the moon dust that lives at the base. It also provides a comfy spot to sit and put your shoes on without covering your butt in said dust.

It carries well with typical sport climbing loads, though once it gets heavier you’ll notice a decrease in performance. The material is bomber and I’ve been using mine for several months without any noticeable wear spots. The top lid has plenty of room for extras, and a hidden stash pocket for keys, wallet, etc. It’s also removable, in case you just want an open burrito crash pad style pack. And the shape allows you to keep cramming in as much as you can fit, with adjustable straps that easily make the pack smaller or larger.

People will probably give you some odd stares as you cruise around with what looks like a small crash pad on your back, the way I was eyeing the cool kids in Rifle, but you can rest assured that they would probably feel differently if they had one too.

Retail: $169.95
Weight: 4 lbs.

More info can be found on the Black Diamond website.

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!