Precipice$159.95

A staple in our line since the 1980’s, the Precipice is designed for climbers who are looking for a durable pack that can take years of abuse, but it’s also been applauded by lightweight backpackers. The Precipice got the highest score in BACKPACKER MAGAZINE’S “Packs For The Short Haul” test of overnight packs in February, 2002. This pack will be with you for the long haul!

Use

All Around Backpacking

Specifications

Torso Sizes: Short | Regular | Long
Weight: 1.47kg | 3lbs 4oz
Capacity: 46 liters | 2800 cubic inches
Suspension: Vapor
Load Capacity: 30lbs | 14kg

Materials

70D Ripstop Overflow
210D Nylon Cordura Body

Features

• Super rugged 210D Cordura Body
• Back panel hydration sleeve
• Floating lid pocket
• Ice axe loops
• Daisy chain with haul loops

Roll Top Loader

Classic rucksack simplicity. Pack is only accessible from the top.

What torso length should I get?

To find your torso length, measure the distance between your seventh cervical vertebra and the shelf of your hipbones. Do this by standing up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart. Tilt your head forward and place your hands on your hips, thumbs to the back. With a flexible tape, have someone measure from the most prominent vertebra at the base of your neck to an imaginary line drawn between your thumbs. This will be your torso length.

Precipice Torso Lengths
Short Torso 15” to 18”
Regular Torso 18” to 21”
Long Torso 21” to 25”

NOTE: Vapor suspension packs do not have adjustable torso lengths on the pack body.

What size hipbelt?

Our Vapor Belt is standard equipment on all of our packs with the Vapor Suspension. This belt is a “soft” belt. It has no plastic exoskeleton like our other belts. It is lighter and more comfortable when carrying smaller loads of 40 pounds or less. Although it is our simplest interchangeable belt, it still boasts hip stabilizers, dual density foam and a stretch woven fabric. ( Not Available in XL Size)

What size shoulder strap?

All vapor suspension packs have fixed shoulder straps that cannot be swapped out for other sizes.

Packs for the Short Haul

Whether packing for an overnight jaunt to the summit of Washington's Mt. Rainier or a 5 day trek on South Carolinas Palmetto Trail, testers always felt they had plenty of room in the Precipice. The ultimate test came during an overnighter on the Appalachian Trail, when Jon used the pack's plethora of exterior straps and daisy chains to carry almost all of the gear, including the tent and sleeping pads, for himself and his 3-and 5-year-old daughters. Jon placed his faith in the hipbelt's thick padding, which provides unflinching load support. After hefting all the family gear, Jon declared, "Forty pounds, no problem, no sagging, no squishing, no pain." The shoulder straps are similarly well padded and the floating detachable lid allowed him to further overload the pack.

We found little side-to-side sway, even while scrambling up steep sandstone boulder piles in Utah's Capitol Reef National Park, though small loads needed to be cranked down under the compression straps. The number of straps, loops and buckles daunted us at first, but adjustments were easy once we got the hang of them. One nitpick: Those long ubiquitous straps sometimes whipped us in big winds. There were also complaints about the lack of a water-bottle pocket, though the precipice does have an external hydration sleeve.

Still, if you want a small pack with a big-pack-attitude, the tough and versatile Precipice is hard to beat.

Backpacker Magazine February 2002