Patagonia Cragsmith 45 Liter Climbing Pack – Favorite For the Crag

Drew Thayer

I’ve used a ton of different packs over the years for schlepping climbing gear to a crag. Most of these have been top-loader style, but newer generations of backpacks with large zippered panels have offered climbers a significant improvement for a cragging pack, and the new Patagonia Cragsmith 45 is now definitely my favorite. It’s simple, like a giant bucket with carrying straps – exactly what I need and nothing more for any climbing that I’d consider cragging. 

Patagonia Cragsmith 45 Liter Climbing Pack Review

A climber’s portable bucket

The Cragsmith pack is essentially a large soft bucket with carrying straps. It’s comfortable to carry, with dense padded shoulder straps – with load lifters – and a padded waist belt. The main compartment can be accessed quickly via a zippered top that gives the kind of access typical for a top-loader backpack. However, when you get to where you’re going, typically the base of a cliff, you can drop the pack down, unzip the back panel and fold it back, revealing the entire contents of the pack.

No more fishing around in the bottom for the roll of tape that you swear is down there somewhere, or a lone sock. Everything in the pack is very easy to find, in fact cragging out of this pack is so nice it’s more convenient than a backpack or even a duffel bag, since the stiff foam in the walls keeps it standing open, more like having your gear in a big open crate that’s easy to carry. I love it. 

This pack includes some minimal organizational features and doesn’t feel over-engineered. The main cavity is just a big container that easily swallows up a rack, rope, shoes, harness, jackets, bottles etc (see more about the two sizes below). A large pouch on the back side of the main panel can keep a few items separate, such as shoes. On top is the kind of zippered pocket typically found atop backpacks; this is where I throw my food, sunglasses, phone and keys, belay glasses, etc. Since the pack has a nice boxy construction this top pocket is actually pretty large, and can fit things like gloves and hats too. 

On the outside are two large mesh pockets low on the sides. Not only are these low enough to be able to reach with your hand while hiking, but they’re wide and tall enough to actually be useful: you can stash a thermos, 1 liter water bottle, or a guidebook in these for access on the trail. I like being able to remove a warm hat or gloves as I heat up while walking and simply tuck them away in these big mesh pockets.

Minimalist rope carry system requires a bit of fiddling

While this pack in either size can typically carry a coiled rope on the inside, sometimes you need the space for extra clothing or additional cams. Removable straps on the upper sides provide a minimalist rope-carry system for these times, but these only work well for a well-coiled rope that’s coiled long enough, i.e. coiled with the “nail knot” as opposed to a shorter backpack-coil. These straps have been scaled down from prior versions of the pack, which sported a steel belt-style buckle. The straps on the new version have nylon buckles. If I made any alterations to this pack I’d add a third strap over the top center for a more secure rope carry. 

Durable for schwacking and travel

This pack has a burly design that will take a lot of abuse. The tough 7.4-oz 630-denier nylon is lined with dense foam that gives it some rigidity, almost half-way between a backpack and a lightweight suitcase. There are also minimal cords and straps to snag on things, which starts to matter when you’re throwing it around in the back of a truck or schwacking around Vedauwoo looking for some elusive finger crack, scraping through narrow gullies between boulders (does walking such a short distance ever take so long?).

While the hip and shoulder straps don’t stow away for protection like a true hybrid backpack/travel bag, these straps are dense and don’t flop too much so they should survive rough car rides and airplane cargo holds. All the features mentioned make this a great travel bag; either size can fit as a carry-on and the 45 liter especially could make a great destination checked bag or max-size carryon. 

Sizes: 45 liter for trad/winter and 32 liter for sport climbing

The Cragsmith comes in 2 sizes: 32 and 45 liters. I tested the larger pack and I enjoy the extra capacity for trad climbing – the rack takes up a lot of space – and/or working local sport projects in winter when the season requires extra niceties: a puffy jacket, a thermos, dare I suggest puffy pants? The 45 liter holds this extra stuff along with a rope and rack of draws, pair of shoes, water bottle, etc. People who are only sport climbing and not bringing lots of clothing will probably be fine with the 32 liter version.

Bottom line

The climber’s gear bucket with backpack straps – this is all you will ever need for cragging. A great travel pack. Durable and sleek, definitely not over-engineered… this is a climbing pack to love to death over a very long time.

Drew Thayer