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Comparing Mountaineering Backpacks

Showing 9 products | Change
 
Awards Editors' Choice Award Top Pick Award Top Pick Award Best Buy Award  
Price $200.00 at REI
Compare at 3 sellers		$425.00 at Backcountry
Compare at 2 sellers		$113.97 at Backcountry
Compare at 2 sellers		$110 List$229.95 at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Pros Comfortable, affordable, durable, fully featuredComfortable, durable, water resistant, versatile, removable lidVersatile, simple, durable, well-pricedLightweight, simple, excellent pack for steep, technical terrainDurable, versatile, fully featured for all mountain pursuits
Cons Not as lightweight as some packsBack panel is not breathable, priceyLess features, some wonky strap designsLess durable, less versatile, no side strapsClosure system limits ability to overstuff, larger size less ideal for more technical routes
Bottom Line This is an excellent pack for most mountaineering uses, excelling in comfort and versatility in all alpine terrainThis impressive pack is one of the best all-around mountaineering packs we've ever testedThis is a pack-of-all-trades well suited to a variety of mountaineering pursuitsThis is an excellent on-route climbing pack for challenging steep terrain in the mountainsThe Mutant series has been a favorite, and the 52-liter version fills an excellent niche for colder and longer climbs
Rating Categories Osprey Mutant 38 Hyperlite Prism Black Diamond Speed 40 Black Diamond Blitz... Osprey Mutant 52L
Versatility (30%)
9.0
6.0
7.0
5.0
6.0
Weight to Volume Ratio (20%)
4.0
9.0
6.0
10.0
3.0
Comfort (20%)
9.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
8.0
Durability (15%)
8.0
6.0
7.0
5.0
7.0
Features (15%)
9.0
6.0
5.0
5.0
7.0
Specs Osprey Mutant 38 Hyperlite Prism Black Diamond Speed 40 Black Diamond Blitz... Osprey Mutant 52L
Measured Volume (liters) 37 50 45 29 47
Measured Weight (pounds) 2.84 (without lid), 3.25 (with lid) 2.25 2.93 1.09 4.19
Measured Weight (grams) 1288.2 1020 1330 496.1 1899.4
Weight to Volume Ratio (grams per liter) 34.82 20.40 29.56 17.11 40.41
Frame Type Inner framesheet with aluminum stays Sewn-in foam backpanel with single removable stay Removable foam and plastic framesheet with 3 stays Foam pad Removable framesheet and dual stays
Fabric 210D nylon with 420HD nylon packcloth on bottom DCH150 + DCHW 210d ripstop main, 420d abrasion Dynex ripstop 210D High Tenacity Nylon
Pockets 1 zippered lid 1 main, 1 lid, 2 side wand pockets 1 main, 2 zippered lid, 1 internal hydration 1 main compartment, 1 waterproof top lid, 1 internal zippered 2 zippered lid
Hip Belt? Yes - reverse wrap hybrid EVA foam w/ gear loops and ice clipper holsters Yes - removable Yes - padding removable, not belt Yes - removable webbing belt Yes- removable
Removable Suspension Padding? Removable framesheet and/or dual stays No Yes Yes Yes
Lid? Yes - removable with stowable FlapJacket for lidless use Yes - removable Yes - removable Yes - removable Yes
Hydration System Compatible? Yes - internal pouch with buckled hanging loop No Yes Yes Yes