Black Diamond Zion Haul Bag Review
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
This Product
Black Diamond Zion Haul Bag | |||||
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Awards | Best Overall Haul Bag | Excellent For One Night Walls | Best Mega Large Option | Fast n' Easy Waste Manager | |
Price | $300 List $299.95 at Backcountry | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $220 List $199.95 at Amazon | $300 List $279.95 at Amazon | $70 List |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Bottom Line | It's average and offers a decent level of comfort, but is not overly exceptional | This is one of the best haul bags we know of, especially for shorter walls | An ideal haul bag for short walls or as a supplementary haul bag | A hefty bag with a good amount of burl that can carry heavy loads | An incredibly convenient and intelligent design |
Rating Categories | Black Diamond Zion... | Metolius Half Dome... | Metolius Quarter Do... | Metolius El Cap Hau... | Metolius Waste Case |
Durability/Material (40%) | |||||
Capacity (10%) | |||||
Waterproofness (10%) | |||||
Closure systems/Ease of Access (20%) | |||||
Carrying/Suspension System (20%) | |||||
Specs | Black Diamond Zion... | Metolius Half Dome... | Metolius Quarter Do... | Metolius El Cap Hau... | Metolius Waste Case |
Volume (cu inches) | 8848 | 7600 | 4200 | 9600 | 500 |
Weight | 9 lb 8 oz | 7 lb 7 oz | 5 lb 1 oz | 8 lb | 10.6 oz |
Main container material | 37 oz vinyl-laminated nylon | Durathane | Durathane | Durathane | Durathane |
Closure material | 840 Denier ripstop | Ballistic nylon | Ballistic nylon | Ballistic nylon | Ballistic nylon |
Sewn or welded seam | Sewn | Welded | Welded | Welded | Welded |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Likes
This has one of the best carrying systems. The waist belt and shoulder straps are among the comfiest. They also tuck away conveniently and have a unique quick-release function. This means you can't lose the straps and can more easily transition from haul bag mode to backpack mode. This is especially helpful on routes with slabby finishes or ledge traverses like Lurking Fear on El Capitan.
While the fact that there is no waterproof closure is overall a BIG downside in a storm, it does mean it is pretty easy to access stuff. By comparison, the Metolius El Cap Haul Bag has a more waterproof closure that makes it a little harder to get in and out of. We have never been in a serious storm and so overall we don't mind the BD closure system. However, anyone who has been in a serious storm can tell you how much the best waterproof gear available is GOLD!
Dislikes
The closure system is not waterproof or very burly. The drawstring on the one we have used the most eventually broke. In addition, there are no beefy compression straps to use when the bag is overloaded. This bag is durable, but not nearly as durable as a urethane bag like the Metolius or Yates.
A minor dislike: it is hard to clip stuff underneath the bag. The place for your biner is too small whereas most bags have big points to which you can clip multiple biners.
Value
This is a decently priced bag and, if you get it on sale, it is a steal. That said, the Metolius bags are cheaper and we liked them a bit better.