Good dependable pack

cilogear, cold cold world and wild things (maybe). i've carried all three (in various volumes), and each would be up to the task, but i am partial to cilogear because of the removable frame panel. i am also partial to packs with removable lids. i say maybe next to wild things becasue they no longer make a pack sized between the guide and andinista. you can call cilo or ccw and whoever picks up the phone will be more than happy to talk to you about how you plan on using the pack and what their pack can do for you. unfortunatly, since wild things rebranding, the demise of the n. conway store and the consolidation in newport, ri (who new new newport in addition to being a major sailing center is also the mountaineering capital of new england) i've found their customer service to be of limited help on technical end-user info.

Have you any experience with the Chernobyl by cold cold world?? It's the perfect volume and price isn't bad either.. I'm kind of curious to how well it fit you com paired to the other brands you mentioned?

and it's a very nice carrying pack with the features you need without much extra. the +/- is that it's not a small, 30l pack and if you're not careful, the weight you're carrying will creep-up. and while the foam back panel is nice, at least for me, it's not enough if i'm going north of the 30/35 + lb. range. really, as your weight carried goes up, it becomes a function of you discomfort threshold to keep increasing the load. as my age and wisdom (ha) have increased a 45l frameless pack, even with a foam sheet, is not my idea of fun when you start loading the bag up. If you’re just using the volume to accommodate big winter puffies that’s one thing, but adding weighty items is another. The frame sheet in the cilo packs 40l and above really help with the weight carrying ability.

Would you have any interest in parting with yours?for some coin of course… I'd like to see how it handles. I've been using a golite jam for my winter climbs and that lacks in back support and has super skimpy shoulder padding I'm thinking the Chernobyl would be a huge upgrade for me..

Arcteryx Nozone 35

Take a look at the Mammut Trion Light series. I've got the 28 liter size and it weighs in at 2 lbs 4 oz on my scale. Bomber construction and I carried it all spring and summer long without a problem including on the Tour du Mont Blanc. Should be perfect when it starts to snow. Be aware that earlier models (2011/2012) had an integrated, waterproof liner that could be removed (at least on the 28L) but the current version does not have it. Lightens the load slightly and gives you options to use something lighter.

I looked all over the web looking for a bad review on the CCW Valdez and couldn't find one!
I actually found reviews saying that their pack from CCW was 10,12 and up to 18 years old and these are people who are saying that they beat em up by hauling them up walls and climbing sharp granite.
So with reviews like that I ordered one today having high hopes that it will be all it's cracked up to be….

RE: "golite jam … lacks in back support and has super skimpy shoulder padding I'm thinking the Chernobyl would be a huge upgrade for me"

I've had a Chernobyl. It is a great pack. It does have wider, more cushion for the shoulder pads than the Jam but I would use caution on saying it has better back support … although with its rectangular back pad pocket, you can squeeze in a folded pad for a stiffer "frame" unlike the Jam's set-up for its back pad. YMMV

The Arcteryx Nozone has a flexible plastic framesheet (removable) with optional stays (removable). No issue with carrying cams, etc.

I've tried wild things, cilo and CCW. CCW wins! You'll love your new pack.

Eddie Bauer makes a very versatile mountaineering pack. It's expandable and has a removable back pad. It has garnered a few design awards.

Dear All,

We have had some failures with the new technologies – moulded seams and seam sealed styled backpacks. We have used many packs for a great many expeditions from diverse types – macpac,karrimor,berghaus,low alpine,arcteryx,gregory,boreas,black diamond,millet and many more.

For moist,water borne,tropical terrain – there seems to be a higher failure rate for fabric which is moulded and seam sealed as they come off after about 1-3 years and the failure is catastrophic as the bag literally comes off its seams!

Although they are good packs, we love their bombproof weatherproof materials, Arcteryx has a prob with tropical climates with their seams especially their shoulder straps where it comes off completely.

We would suggest that expedition backpacks to the tropics be stitched through and all seams be checked regularly for failures to ensure that integrity of pack is kept. Hope this helps, in summary the traditional technology that is time tested – stitched internal pack-frames have better durability and wearability.