Best bag size for full day in the backcountry

[Gmeister25]

I'm planning for a big dawn to dusk tour and I was wondering size bag I should get. I currently have a 24l for slackcountry and small tours but I need a bigger bag. I also will be carrying and iceaxe and crampons, any size recommendations?

 

[extravert]

I was going to say around 24l but if that's already too small for you I guess 30? I have the Float 32 which feels a bit too big for a normal day. All it needs to hold is an extra layer, food, 2l water, radio, and safety gear. In my 32 I have in addition fit a sleeping bag, extra clothes, and a stove.

 

[byubound]

I have an HMG pack that I use for ice climbing. Mine is the giant 70L because I use it pretty much any time I have to haul tons of gear, but the 40L would be a solid option. The roll top means it will compress really well when you aren't maxing the capacity, and the straps work really well for tools and crampons.

 

[Gmeister25]

I was going to say around 24l but if that's already too small for you I guess 30? I have the Float 32 which feels a bit too big for a normal day. All it needs to hold is an extra layer, food, 2l water, radio, and safety gear. In my 32 I have in addition fit a sleeping bag, extra clothes, and a stove.

I've heard that a 35 is good for what I'm doing but do you really think I can use a 24l for 12 hours of touring/mountaineering? I think that with the crampons, an extra layer plus all of the food and water that I need to bring I'd need 30l at minimum.

 

[Gmeister25]

I have an HMG pack that I use for ice climbing. Mine is the giant 70L because I use it pretty much any time I have to haul tons of gear, but the 40L would be a solid option. The roll top means it will compress really well when you aren't maxing the capacity, and the straps work really well for tools and crampons.

For the 40l do you think that I will be too big for a someone who is short like 5'6"

 

[byubound]

For the 40l do you think that I will be too big for a someone who is short like 5'6"

Pack size is different than volume. You can get a pack with a small harness system that will fit you well in any volume you decide

 

[extravert]

do you really think I can use a 24l for 12 hours of touring/mountaineering?

Have you tried packing your bag with everything you need for that day? It either fits or it doesnt, and I test pack all the time for trips to make sure.

If you decide you need a bigger bag, my favorite pack and the one I use for mountaineering is the Osprey Mutant 38. Its super versatile and I used it for everything from daytrips to multi day backpacking trips. Of course its built for mountaineering, and the helmet carry, ice axe attachment, A-frame loops work extremely well and in general its really well thought out. I've fit everything necessary for a two day climb up Rainier in there with no issue. Only downside for using it ski-touring is the lack of a dedicated compartment for shovel and probe, but you trade that for general versatility.

 

[poofartpee]

I know this is not the popular/preferred route, but I run a 50L for day touring. Rather have too much room and be over prepared then having to stuff the shit out of a smaller pack.

 

[cydwhit]

I've heard that a 35 is good for what I'm doing but do you really think I can use a 24l for 12 hours of touring/mountaineering? I think that with the crampons, an extra layer plus all of the food and water that I need to bring I'd need 30l at minimum.

This is a really personal question. I have a buddy who routinely does very technical 10+ hour days in a 12L pack. I also see plenty of people on two-hour tours with fully stuffed 50 L packs. And every pack manufacturer claims whatever volume, but some 30L packs hold a lot more gear than others.

Take the gear you need into a shop, along with a six-pack, and ask them if you can try a few different packs. Put your shit in different packs and see how it feels on your back. Then buy a pack from them.

Personally, if it's a non-technical tour, I'm usually in a 12L pack, regardless of length, I can do 10 hours out of it no problem, but it won't carry technical gear. If it's semi-technical I've done a bunch of days with crampons, axe, rope, and climbing plates out of a 28L airbag pack. If I'm going light and fast, I have a 30L pack that's got plenty of room for a bivy setup as well.

A 30-35L pack is a sweet spot for most people I've met. It's big enough to carry everything you need for big days and small enough not to feel stupid on short laps.

 

[RudyGarmisch]

Echoing Cy. I will also add, if you get a larger bag, you will find a way to fill it up.

 

[profa_212]

agreed with cy and rudy.

I use a 22 for most easy day trips. Seems to be plenty of room for me, depends on how you pack. Bigger missions with more gear I use a 35. Both are airbags with the canister in them....so probably closer to 20 and 32L

All my friends who carry 30+ for shorter tours tend to fill it up for no reason. Couple of them have straight up said its because they don't like skiing with a half full pack.