OutdoorGearLab Founder, Editor-and-Chief and avid rock climber Chris McNamara personally tested the vast majority of these haul bags over 110 Big Wall ascents in beautiful and remote locations such as Yosemite Valley, Zion National Park, and Norway. The remainder of our testing team determined 4 key testing metrics in order to assess the overall performance of each individual haul bag. From standard big walls, to trash cleanups on remote summits, to re-bolting efforts, we evaluated the construction quality, ease of access, suspension systems, capacity, and weather resistance of each haul bag. After thrashing many haul bags to failure, our team hopes their testing perspectives provide insight into your next purchase.
Construction Quality
In order to evaluate the overall construction and durability of each individual haul bag our testing team considered the materials used for construction of the main compartment, whether the seams were sewn or welded, and we took note of any defects or issues encountered along the ascent.
We found that bags constructed from burly materials, such as Durathane, were able to withstand the most use and abuse. Durathane is a two component polyurethane that effectively withstands abrasions in addition to offering some UV protection and stability.
Ease of Access
In order to determine the best haul bags that offered easy access to essentials, we identified the features that both enhance and limit access when in vertical terrain. For this test, we simply got to work ascending a big wall and took turns accessing essentials with our climbing partner, compared notes, and scored the haul bags that offered the easiest access with higher marks in the testing metric.
We also noted which bags featured zippered pockets that were accessible without unfastening any of the straps and webbing closures in addition to those bags that offer internal gear loops and zippered pockets for gear that is necessary for a single pitch of the route or clipping shoes, or simply making it easy to find key pieces of equipment. We measured the opening of each bag and compared between other haul bags to determine those that offer the easiest access in vertical terrain.
Suspension System
Suspension systems can really make or break your haul bag purchase. After testing multiple systems, our testing team has informed perspectives on the systems that cause the least amount of headache. Afterall, you have enough on your mind when ascending or descending a big wall, you don't need to be preoccupied with troubleshooting your gear while exhausted from the pitches you climbed that day.
Our testers identified the various suspension designs, how they attach and detach, whether or not that design is effective, and how long it took convert the bags from pack to haul mode. We also noted how each bag carried while loaded down and approaching the climb as well as how each bag carried on the descent. We identified the details that we liked as well as the flaws that we would change.
Capacity
The capacity of each bag was a relatively easy metric to measure objectively and determine the best bag for various big wall adventures. We started by identifying the manufacturer's capacity for each bag before measuring the length and width of each model, and finally measuring the capacity to including the top of pack when loaded to the maximum capacity.
Weather Resistance
In order to objectively measure the weather resistance of each haul bag without putting ourselves at higher risk in actual storms, our testers simply put each haul bag below a water spigot in order to identify whether or not the materials of the bag could effectively keep the contents of the bag dry when exposed to moisture. The most durable bags (the bags that didn't rip holes in the main compartments while being hauled) as well as the bags that kept the internal contents dry below the water spigot received the highest marks and gave our testers the most confidence that the bag could keep your essentials dry should an unexpected storm roll in when you're in the middle of a big wall.
