Black Diamond Speed 22 Pack
Having the right pack is important. Whether you’re a day hiker or a hardcore alpinist, you need to have a pack that meets the specific requirements of your activity. It’s difficult to find a pack that can do it all. I want to take a minute and talk about the Black Diamond Speed 22 Pack in this review.
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What’s So Special About the Black Diamond Speed 22 Pack?
This isn’t your typical day pack. Black Diamond’s Speed series falls into their “Accent” category. It’s a classic alpine pack that has enough space and gear loops to haul your gear to the base, as well as a low profile and efficient carrying system to take on route. The Speed series offers 22L, 30L, 40L and 50L options. Since the Speed 22 is the one I’ve been testing out, that’s what we’ll focus on in this article.
Black Diamond Speed 22 Specs
- Redesigned shoulder straps and thermoformed back panel
- Top-loading, with removable lid, drawcord skirt closure and tuck-away rope strap
- Micro ice-tool Pickpockets and removable 20 mm crampon straps
- Strippable design: removable hip belt with fixed webbing belt, removable frame sheet, and removable foam bivy pad
- Hydration compatible
TECH SPECS
Volume : 22 L (1,340 cu in)
This pack has been tested all over the world. It has proven itself time and time again on rock, snow and ice objectives. It’s fully strippable, so you can remove the lid and waist straps to lighten the load. It is hydration compatible, has ice tool PickPockets, snag free crampon straps and a tuck-away rope strap to secure gear to the outside, while the drawcord skirt provides easy access and keeps out light precipitation.
My Experience with the Black Diamond Speed 22
I picked up this pack a couple months ago to use on a climbing trip down in the San Juans. The objective was the alpine route on Mt. Sneffels, which required a 6 ½ mile approach. This small 22L pack carried a full trad rack, harness, shoes, helmet, 60m rope (which comfortably singes down under the lid), as well as an extra layer and snacks. The gear straps on the outside are extremely helpful and once it is evenly weighted, was surprisingly more comfortable than I expected. And once you’re on the rock, you start to forget it’s even there.
This pack isn’t only useful on alpine ascents. I’ve taken this pack out with me on countless day hikes. It’s useful straps can be utilized anyway you want really. Who’s to say you can’t use your ice axe straps for your trekking poles, or your camera tripod? It’s proven itself just like any other durable, top-loading technical pack. The brain is perfect for the quick grab items such as your map and snacks, and the bucket is the perfect size for your extra layers, water and a lunch. I will say the only inconvenience is the fact that it doesn’t have side pockets for your water bottles. I’ve just been carabining my Hydro Flask to my waist belt and it gets the job done.
I’ve even used the BD Speed 22 as my carry-on on just about every flight I’ve taken since. It’s perfect to fit in the overhead bins as well as the fact that since it doesn’t have a built-in internal frame it can fit nicely inside your larger luggage when it’s not needed.
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