How do Cold Cold Worls packs carry?

[Jeff Jeff]

I am looking at the 40L Valdez and 50L Chernobyl. Both are basically frameless with a removable foam pad for support and padding. How do these do with a 35 pound load for multiple days?

[David Chenault]

They're about as good as frameless packs get if you fit them right, but the suspension is still just a stiff folded CCF pad in a zippered sleeve. 35 lbs for multiple days is doable if you have plenty of beef in your shoulders and core.

They are, in short, climbing packs, and carry as such. If climbing isn't a major part of every trip there are many better options.

[Richard Fischel]

i like the ccw packs a lot. they are well designed and well executed. for the price they are tuff to beat. having played around with and carried a couple of diffrent ccw packs, at 35 lbs, i look for a pack with a beefier suspension and have gone the cilogear route. with the frame sheet and aluminum stay i find load carrying much more comfortable when you start heading say north of 30 lbs for any length of time.

[Michael Febbo]

I love my CCW pack… I expect it to last another ten years of climbing, but carrying 35 pounds with one would be a very painful experience for me. If you can carry half that way on your shoulders, you might be fine, but for me that leads to tension headaches.
CCW packs emphasize climbing mobility over load carrying on the trail… and unless you are doing technical climbing (above low 5th class and A3) I would err on getting a better frame.

[Overshot]

I have been impressed with CCW. In fact I have 2 of their packs, and Cherynoble, and a Chaos. They both have carried my winter gear for a few days out. This was roughly 25-30 pounds, and never felt like it carried poorly, but quite the opposite. Like any frameless pack, how you pack it up has a direct bearing on how it carries. They are both exceptionally durable, and lightweight for what they are. Randy is great to work with, and can add some changes within reason if you want him to.

[Jeff Jeff]

This is sort of what I expected. I do a lot of climbs where I hike a lot of miles, so I need a little more support.

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