Page 22 - 2014 AMA Summer

kit on trial
DMM climbing bags trial
DMM have recently released a range of new bags specifically designed to satisfy all flavours of climbers from sports to trad. DMM kindly provided the AMA with a sample of their new range of bags for review. This article reviews the following bags:
The Vector – trad climbing bag • The Zenith – multi-pitch climbing bag • The Flight – sports climbing bag The Vector by Ryan Lang
The Vector is an exciting new trad climbing sack with some superb design features.
Neat top opening gives very fast access to your kit
Bright inside fabric reflects light in, making it easier to find kit items Reinforced opening of the bivi extension makes packing easy Perfectly sized at 45 litres to carry all your trad climbing kit
Easy grab Racksack makes gear storage snag free
Twin soft grip grab handles for a quick and easy carry
Internal and external pockets for guidebook and valuables
External compression straps for stability and extra comfort
Front grab handles double as kit racking daisy chains
Light but hardwearing materials throughout the construction
Internal arc stiffeners keep the sack’s shape and allow it to be free standing Flow Airmesh back system, shoulder straps and padded waist belt for comfort Reinforced areas around the lid and base
Weight - 1225g
Before I first got my hands on the Vector, I was trying to imagine what a “Trad sack” would look like and what features it would have. My first impression of the Vector was that it looked very different to any other rucksack I had ever seen. After my initial shock of having a rucksack without a normal closing lid had subsided, it was time to fully investigate the Vector and all its features.
The top opening of the Vector gives fast access to your kit, while the internal stiffeners allow the sack to keep its shape and be free standing as you pack or unpack your kit for the day. No more fumbling, just quick, easy loading and unloading – which means less faffing and more time spent climbing! The inside walls of the sack are lined with a bright yellow material which reflects light, making it easier to find what you are looking for.
When it’s time to go home, packing the Vector is just as quick. The wide, reinforced opening makes packing easy. Once your kit is in, the sack is closed and ready to go in seconds. The draw cord tab sits snugly against the base of your hand as you cinch it down; and if rain has stopped play, you can fold the lid to deflect the water away on the way home.
At 45 litre the Vector is the perfect size for trad climbing. You can certainly fit in everything you’d want for a full day out.
Once of my favorite Vector features is the supplied easy-grab Rack sack – this neat feature makes storing your rack simple and snag free and allows the rack (the heaviest items in your bag) to be stored together at the top of the bag. It also stops your rack from picking up dirt and grit too. There is also an internal pocket for valuables and a large guidebook pocket on the external side panel.
The Vector has a quick-drying Flow Airmesh back system and shoulder straps, plus padded waist belt – all of which makes for a comfortable carry. External compression straps give extra stability and stop heavy items shifting about in the sack. The Vector also has twin soft grip grab handles which make it easy to lift and move.
Vector Summary
Overall the Vector proved to be a fantastic trad bag. The load carrying ability and ease of packing make it absolutely ideal for getting yourself and your equipment to the base of the crag. It has everything that you would expect from a high end trad climbing sack without the need for any bells and whistles. The only very minor criticism is that the guidebook pocket is slightly on the small side. It’s the perfect size for a small guide book, but I struggled to fit in the slightly larger Rockfax. This minor problem was overcome by packing the guidebook in the pocket prior to packing
the main compartment. Fashion is not something that I would normally associate with the climbing scene, however, this sack is a head turner and has started many conversations at the base of the crag. If you’re in the market for a new rucksack for climbing, my best advice would be to make best use of your DMM discount and order a Vector ASAP!
The Zenith by Da
The Zenith is a small but h carried on long multi-pitch r of the Zenith.
Smooth profile reduces the Low profile base allows eas Easy access zip panel open Additional gear loops and d External and internal valuab Perfectly sized at 18 litres to Flow Airmesh back panel an Removable waist belt for ex Grab handle and yoke on to Light but hardwearing mate Streamlined profile helps to Weight - 580g
When I received my bright bag, my first thoughts w impossible to lose it in the d followed by me thinking tha much kit in it at all. Howeve I saw this little pack very dif
Firstly, the colour; I am a as possible when out in sometimes to the extent o this reason alone meant t winner. However it is avail you wish to remain a bit mo
Secondly the size; as me I thought it wouldn’t be ver space, however again I wa coped with a pair of approa belay jacket and a spot of capacity. The ergonomics o when fully packed and I co bag. If you were carrying m the extra gear loops on the
Inside the pack there w hydration sleeve which I did I actually used the sleeve fo perfect for my cash with the watch. The carrying handl on any belay and made it v Zenith’s easy zip opening an
I wore the sack for the comfortable. It has an air m It has a waist belt that sits a noticed that this could be re is also a sternum strap fitt fitted.
Zenith Summary
This pack has proven itself t addition to my climbing gea be without it in the future. R banks or do as I have to do wife I need it, and get onto D yours today.
20
ARMY MOUNTAINEER
Features Design Performance Value Overall
HHHHH
HHHHH
HHHHH
HHHHH
HHHHH
VECTOR