Cinch

It took me a long time to figure it out, but it actually does work as a back pack- you just have to put it on so the bottom of it is facing your back, then the straps are short enough to keep it from swingin around all over the place. It doesn't solve the problem of gear coming out the holes, but I just make sure everything is clipped onto one of the gear loops. My main problem is in the literature for the bag- there should be an explanation for us poor apes.

There is something to be said for sticking with what works. This was the first rope bag I bought a few years ago and although it works, it doesnt work well. It doesnt compress hardly at all so fitting into your back is a problem as well as if you were to carry it by hand on any kind of approach. It is a pain to flake the rope into the small little circle, tarps are much easier to use. The velcro becomes useless after awhile and well it just got to be such a hastle to use that I got a metolious rope master to replace it. Stick with what works- the cinch doesnt.

This rope bag is a little different. I was used to the Metoilus bag with the roll up tarp, and thought this would be similar. I was a little thrown off at first, but now I really like it. If you are jumping from route to route, it is really easy to use. In between climbs, just velcro the two sides together and pick it up by the straps. Then you can just drop it at the next climb without having to roll it up or out. When you are done for the day, throw all your stuff in, pull the straps, and you are done. It carries over the shoulder like a gym bag rather than a backpack.