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go_dyno
Mar 6, 2012, 5:07 AM
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Registered: May 8, 2005
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Any with experience with these packs? I was going to get the Variant and then someone told me they loved the REI Pinnacle 50. I checked it out and it is very impressive "in the store". The Pinnacle seems to have everything the Variant does, $50 cheaper, seems to carry better when loaded with 40 lbs.
Experienced Opinions?
I want a Cilogear, but have a $200 gift certificate to REI and just need to get this done and it will be a Pinnacle or Variant.
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thatguyat99
Mar 6, 2012, 6:02 AM
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I bought the Pinnacle 5 months ago. I too was looking at the Variant as well as the Mammut Trion Guide. I loaded each one up and tried them on several times and kept going back to the Pinnacle. It carries a load well. It is also great when climbing...allows good range of motion with arms and head(even with helmet on).
I have used it on overnight hikes and climbing...once loaded it with sleeping bag, pad, food for 2 days, extra fleece, rain gear, rope, harness, helmet, shoes, and medium rack...still had a little room left. I recommend it.
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go_dyno
Mar 6, 2012, 6:10 AM
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Thanks
Anyone have pros/cons on Variant?
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dr_feelgood
Mar 7, 2012, 12:17 AM
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Don't waste your money on Cilogear.
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dr_feelgood
Mar 7, 2012, 5:15 PM
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go_dyno wrote: dr_feelgood wrote: Don't waste your money on Cilogear. I use to live in Livingston. I miss MT and Hyalite  Why no to Cilogear and what pack do you carry ice climbing?
Generally, I think cilogear is way over-hyped, and the brand is too into self-promotion to care about a reliable product that isn't niche gear.
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jjanowia
Mar 7, 2012, 6:04 PM
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Registered: Nov 21, 2005
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I think Osprey Variant > REI Pinnacle for alpine climbing.
50L pack is for, I'm assuming, overnighting. Car-to-car in a day is doable on something more like 30L.
So going on the assumption that the purpose of this pack is overnighting, the question is whether or not you're "carrying over" on the climb.
If you are basically never gonna be carrying over (which is, I think, fairly typical for a moderate alpine climb in the lower 48 that requires an overnight on the approach), then the premium is on strippability. A pack that allows you to remove the backpad / stays, lid, and hipbelt is nice. Stripping down the sack to carry only what you need on the route (food, water, some clothing layers) will be more comfortable while climbing. The Osprey Variants seem fairly strippable based on what I've seen, and I have friends who are happy with them.
If you are mostly doing "in-a-day' trips, then don't bother with 50L, get something in the 30L size where you can dispense with the hipbelt entirely (or if it just comes with some sorta webbing belt that doesn't support weight).
Advice you didn't ask for: If you're serious about alpine climbing, let go of the idea of a single pack that covers all the bases. Get the 50L, use it when you overnight (which probably isn't that common), and get a 30L (e.g. Cold Cold World Valdez), which you'll use the sh*t out of.
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go_dyno
Mar 7, 2012, 7:37 PM
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Thanks for advice, but I know I need the 50/52 because I am a photographer and filmmaker. I always have to carry more than everyone else
I just need to know about "the packs" in question.
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jjanowia
Mar 8, 2012, 7:00 PM
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Registered: Nov 21, 2005
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After a quick perusal of their site, they've updated the Pinnacle since I last checked it out. It too has removable lid / framesheet / hipbelt. In this sense it is extremely similar to the Osprey int erms of functionality. Along with the same style of ice tool attachment, I think it'd come down to preference / fit. I've seen a lot of happy folks with Variants, and a lot of happy folks with the previous generation of Pinnacles. You can't go wrong with either of these; as others have chimed in, refining on this basic design will take you into the realm of specialty packmakers (where you can't use an REI credit).
If you wanna split hairs, the 'zipper pocket' on the outside of the Pinnacle (with a zipper running vertically) is less versatile than the 'stuff-it' stretchy pocket on the Osprey. That Osprey stuffit pocket could gather snow if you had a bunch coming down on you, but I think would be a nice-to-have if you're having to frequently reference a guidebook or something. Also, that Opsrey pocket could maybe house crampons.
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