After using this pack for several trips, thought it would be a good time to make an honest review. This pack has followed us the past year through city trips, overnighters, light hikes and most importantly for ice and rock climbs.
If you only have 30 seconds - The Summary
It is a well thought out pack for short climb trips and even city travel. It has everything that I wished for in a bag. The good weight distribution make it a joy to carry around. Plenty of functional pockets make all your essentials accessible when back in the city. Its a do-it-all. Definitely coming with me for all trips from now onwards.
Unfortunately I am not a skier, so this was the part of the pack that was not fully tested.
At the time of purchase the helmet attachment was not yet available.
The pack was used as you will see with the helmet attached to the base configuration of the bag.
Fit
What surprised me most was how comfortable the thin paddings on the shoulder and hip straps were. Did not have any hot spots, the weight was also well distributed even after a long day. We have tried the fitting on 3 ladies (my friends and myself) 172cm , 160cm and 155 cm. The width of the shoulder straps rested nicely. The hip belt locations were also comfortably above the hip bone. In all it fit nicely, weight distribution was great, on the hips and across the shoulders. No complaints.
Packing and Loading
Most of the time the top access was used to load the pack. I did try to use the extra shovel compartment to keep some accessories for easier access. But found myself removing the add-on when climbing at the craig to simplify packing.
Climbing Config - Did not have much problems getting most of our climbing gear in. The side zip proved to be very convenient to grab a water bottle, camera or something buried deep. The size hooks were also used to attach our helmets. Ropes go easily across the top lid of the bag. Attachments of ice axes were also secure, no bounce. The pack was streamlined and did not feel bulky even at full load with our stuff on the outside.
The top lid allowed for overflow gear like a puffy jacket or another helmet. The quick pull system was smooth and easy to use.
Commute Config - The hip belt sashed away very nicely into the back padding. You do not feel the clips or any excessive bulge pressing into your back. It makes the pack look very neat in the city with a lighter load when the hip belts are not needed. Additionally it also stashes well into the top storage area on the plane, bus or train.
Pockets and Accessibility
I had to give a focused couple of paragraphs to this as it was one of the main reasons why I bought this pack.
Front Pockets - I found most of the climbing bags I've used over the years lacking the feature of functional front pockets. They either did not have them at all or had ones that were too small, only useful to keep a small squeeze bottle. Or were too big such that they had too much extra space and whatever went in there would bounce at ever step you took.
The front pockets on the Firecrest were well sized and oh so sleek. No extra fabric bulging out or flapping in the wind. I was able to put in a small bottle or a pocket digital camera on the larger front pocket. On the zipped one, it could fit my mobile phone, room or train cards when I'm in the city. Didn't need to keep bringing the bag down to take out something from the main compartment or top lids. Its a convenience I absolutely loved when on a hike to take a picture, and in the city to access my cards or phones.
Side Pocket - Located on the opposite side of the side zip is stretchy just like the front pockets that was good for putting anything and everything!
Top Lid Pockets - There are two pockets on the top lid. The one on the outside had plenty of volume to stash a few bars and your wallet. There are small panels stitched on at each end of the zips so that items do not drop out of the outer lid compartment. Its a really small thought that went into this but I thoroughly appreciated it as it saved me on several occasions from loosing something. The inner pocket is smaller with a key fob. I have mostly put my keys and shades in this pocket.
Material
Though light, this pack is sturdy and well built. We are not one to trash our gear (my precious) but we definitely did not pamper it. The Firecrest was on jungle ground, beach sand, snow, concrete city floors... and has stood up well to light rain. Other than a few stains, the material has hardly shown any wear. Even after sweaty days in tropical weather the paddings have not omitted any funk.
Things I Wished to Improve
Overall I really really love this bag. But I will probably have to find my own solutions to the following peeves.
The main strap hook - I need to find a way to tuck or roll it. The excess is very long and it has started to fray slightly from all the whippings in the wind.
The chest clip height was hard to adjust - Seems to be more of a small error where the gaps were sewn too small. Then again you'd seldom need to readjust.
On the hip belt - the excess strap length have no where to go. And as a lover of pockets I wish there was some way to attach another pocket there.
These are all mainly peeves. In all its totality this was a really great bag to use. No regrets!
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