The “cliff pack” category has come a long way over the past decade, as companies continue to refine and reimagine what a pack should offer outdoor climbers. “Craging” is jargon that refers to casual single-pitch climbing (sport or traditional), so crag packs should meet the needs of this activity. There are a few things that crag backpacks have to be, and some they don’t: 1) they need to easily fit all your climbing gear 2) they don’t have to be the bags the lightest and fastest ever made 3) they should make it easier to travel short distances between lengths of a cliff. The Mammut Neon 55 meets all of these needs in a sturdy, durable, well-made design that has held up well over the past few months of crag sport.
- Access via large zipped flap to the main compartment
- Fully accessible via top opening or large rear panel access, even with a rope mounted
- Flat Base Standing Backpack
The Mammut Neon 55 charges via the rear panel or top. I’ve noticed a group of climbers using back panel loading climbing bags on cliffs these days. The Patagonia Cragsmith seems to be one of the most popular packs of this type, but I’ve also seen this style of pack from Sterling and others. I used the Patagonia version when it first came out and really liked it. Over the years it has been refined and improved, although it has retained a volume of 45 liters.
There’s a lot to like about the back panel loading style of the backpack, but I always felt the 45L size was barely big enough for In fact fits everything: rope, rack, shoes, harnesses, water, jackets/clothing, and more. Technically I can fit everything I want to carry into 45L, but it’s tight. That’s why I was so excited to discover the Mammut Neon in size 55L.
I don’t like storing my gear in bags of any kind. Submitting objects with my body weight just to close a zipper is boring. I’ll make an exception for traveling to avoid baggage fees, but I don’t necessarily want to carry wrestling gear every time I move between fields multiple times a day.
With the Mammut Neon 55L I don’t need to worry about being precise when packing, I can be the hot, sloppy mess that I am and just throw everything in the bag, zip it up and that’s it. party. the next route. If you’re like me and the 45L suits you, the Mammut Neon 55L is the only “backpack” I’ve come across that gives you that extra volume.
There are plenty of places to store accessories: a pocket inside the back panel and two zippered pockets on the top flap. The pack also comes with a rope tarp. If your bag is really full, you can carry a coiled rope on the outside of the bag, using exterior straps.
Overall, I really like the build quality of the pack and its thoughtful design features.