BLACK DIAMOND Hollowpoint Pack

Comments about BLACK DIAMOND Hollowpoint Pack:

I bought this pack off of a recommendation from a friend, and as a climber who constantly finds herself regularly going on spontaneous 5+ mile hikes, this pack is awesome. It easily fits my climbing harness, two pairs of climbing shoes (in case I drag a friend out), my chalk bag, and my Nalgene water bottle. The gear loops on it are great for clipping extras to it, but be wary of weight change while on a hike- the narrow shape of the pack doesn't really allow for a water bottle to successfully swing and sway without you feeling it and it gets a little obnoxious. I've easily climbed 4.5+ approaches with this pack fully loaded and it didn't compromise or complicate it at all. A little tall for us shorter torso-ed people (measuring in at 12.5 inches here, it's good for 14-16in, I'd say), but the ease of use and stuff sack-like qualities of this pack more than make up for it.

Comments about BLACK DIAMOND Hollowpoint Pack:

Use this as my day sack for climbing and [climbing] gym bag. Perfectly holds my: harness, tape rolls, chalk bags, shoes, and helmet... Thats about it... The two loops on the front make excellent points for hanging water bottles with crabs. The front pocket becomes difficult to use if the main compartment is fully filled.

I would certainly like a little more space, as always with trips you inevitably end up needing to carry something right more than you packed. In this case, that extra item does not fit. You can use the front pocket to store... pocket items (cell, watch, keys, wallet) and an extra chalk sock. At that, its full!

If that's all you are looking to carry, then its an excellent pack! If your looking to carry everything above, and a single, extra item, it will not fit!

Note though, that in regards to pack space, i am NOT an advocate of cramming bags so full the seems are bulging, so you may.. with some force, be able to fit one or two more small things in there... maybe...

Beyond space, feels good on the back, definitely designed well in that aspect.

Comments about BLACK DIAMOND Hollowpoint Pack:

I bought the pack as it rides higher on the back which is great as it doesn't get in the way while on a chair lift. I use the bag everyday for work as it fits my small laptop, lunch and shoes easily. The front pocket has spots for pens, notepads and netting for those small items along with a key ring clip. I have used the pack skiing, snowshoeing or around town. I do like having top access that you can get to without fighting the zippers or taking off the backpack so long as the item is at the top of the bag. The pack fits snug on your back and won't shift if adjusted properly. I like having the safety whistle built into the sternum clip. Works great as a carry on in an airplane, fits fine under the seats or in the bin. The only reason I didn't give it a 5 is that that waist strap isn't padded and seems to be too small. I also have not seen how water resistant it is. This is a great pack that can handle anything I throw at it.

Comments about BLACK DIAMOND Hollowpoint Pack:

Used it for a couple of climbing day-trips in Joshua Tree and it did what I needed it to. I thought it to be small out of the box but it held all my gear (except the rope) and was comfortable. I would want something bigger for colder weather so I could fit more layers inside.

Comments about BLACK DIAMOND Hollowpoint Pack:

This is a great bag. I have used it for hiking and bouldering, and it fit nicely on my back and had really good balance. I was also able to squeeze in tight spaces and I didn't get caught on anything, like with most bags. I do wish it had a place for a water bottle since I like that more than a bladdar, but I was able to clip one to the outside and it was fine. I also have taken this on shopping trips and it was great. The best thing was when I took it to FL to visit family for 4 days. I was able to fit the following, there was some extra room after all my items but not much so it was packed but was able to fit in the overhead bin on the plane and could have went under the seat too. I packed: 5 t-shirts, 5 socks, 5 underwear, a headlamp, a thin hoodie, a thin blanket, kapree, a sleeping shirt, sleep pants, Kavu pouch(which turns into a small bag for dirty laundry), my toiletry kit, a travel hair dryer, a hair brush, chargers for my ipod, cell, kindle, and DS. Also two bandanas, hand sanitizer, advil, sunglasses in a case, pens, and a few snacks (in the outside pocket). Also a small purse for when I got there, along with a thick belt. Even though it was packed it didn't look huge on me and I was able to run through the airports without a problem as others struggled with their bags. I am 5'2" and this bag was a little high in the back for me but fit well too. It was able to fit and look better than other bags that I usually bring like the Northface Base Camp duffle which is great for shorter trips. I was caught in a rain storm getting to my hotel and the items inside were fine. Great bag and I love it!

Comments about BLACK DIAMOND Hollowpoint Pack:

Love this pack. It is the perfect size for day hiking. When you just need an extra shirt, a drink, food, and a few provisions, this is the way to go. There was also more capacity available if needed. Carried extremely well. I like the small design, but also like the waist and chest straps .. My first day hike was in the rain, and it was suprisingly water resistant.

Comments about BLACK DIAMOND Hollowpoint Pack:

High quality material and superb construction. Nice design and lots of features, yet uncluttered. A perfect size for all-day hiking.
I haven't used it in heavy downpour so I can't yet comment on weatherproofness.
Will fit longer backs unlike many daypacks.
I scored it 4 rather than 5 mainly as I haven't yet seen how it handles the wet.

Comments about BLACK DIAMOND Hollowpoint Pack:

Sick pack, doesnt get much better.

Comments about BLACK DIAMOND Hollowpoint Pack:

I've used this pack for single and multipitch climbs. It is not an approach pack, as there are no tool, crampon or rope attachments. But that's fine. It's perfect for it's intended purpose - climbing!

It's narrow profile stays away from arms, and sits low enough (no lid) that I never bump the back of my helmet. The sternum strap keeps it in place and I've never needed the waist belt.

With the waist belt wrapped to the front plus the gear loops, you can lash stuff (like a BD toolbox/crampon bag), but I've never needed to. Whenever I've used this pack I'm already racked up, crampons on, tools clipped to harness or in hand.

I usually keep a sling girth hitched to the haul loop with a biner clipped to a gear loop; at belays I clip it to the shelf. With the top loading design and the pack's size, it stays out of the way and I never worry about dropping anything. Perfect and efficient.

The capacity is perfect for my belay jacket (TNF Makalu or Marmot Greenland), 40 oz water, food, extra gloves, headlamp and some emergency stuff.

It's bomber. I love this pack.

Comments about BLACK DIAMOND Hollowpoint Pack:

This pack is nice. It can hold a decent amount of gear, and has sort of a stuff sack like quality to it, so you can jam a lot in. I like the back of it--it resembles an inframe pack and is quite supportive. It is surprisingly waterproof in light rain and overall it is a great buy. I really liked all of the little things that make using a hydration reservoir easy--from the inside pocket to the guides on the shoulder straps and the tube clip. It's sleek design does not make it a burden at all.

I would have given it a 5, however it is smaller than the picture makes it look. Also, my only other complaint is that once full, that front pocket is a pain to access and easily add/take out gear from. Besides that, I like it a lot.