The Deuter Gravity Haul 50 is advertised as a backpack that can turn into a haul bag. That’s a combination I haven’t come across in my two decades of climbing, which includes a lot of cragging and a few walls here and there. After using this pack for the last month I realized I like it quite a bit, but not exactly for its main selling point.
Retail: $169.00
I’ll start with what I liked about it. I’ve always been a fan of the fit of Deuter’s packs, and the Gravity Haul 50 is no exception. Most of my heavy use for this pack was in Indian Creek (read large amounts of cams and usually an 80 meter rope). The spring steel frame shouldered the load just as their other crag packs do and combined with the back mesh, and padded hip belt makes for a very comfortable fit. Basically the fit is identical to the Guide 45+, a pack I’ve used for years.
I especially liked the haul bag style DuraCoat exterior, which seems resistant to the wear and tear that packs loaded to the brim inflict on normal crag packs. (Usually the first thing to ruin a climbing pack for me is a hole wearing through on the exterior.) Lastly 50 liters seems like the perfect size for a climbing pack, especially at Indian Creek, it fits everything inside and only the big cams won’t fit and can easily dangle on the daisy chain outside.
I did see room for a few improvements. First off I think the hauling feature for a 50 liter pack seems unnecessary. Any multi-day wall climb will need a much bigger haul bag. I’d rather see this pack suited strictly as a very durable cragging pack (which it already is). For me, that would mean including a few more pockets for essentials (the valuables pocket in the interior is not enough) and a large pocket for a hydration bladder. (Deuter’s Streamer is the best bladder in the business in my opinion.)
All in all this is a solid crag pack for heavy loads that should last the test of time.
Deuter Gravity Haul 50 on Moosejaw.com
In the vertical world, quality gear is as important as good weather or the right partner. At the Climbing Zine, we review gear that we put to the test in our personal climbing pursuits, over months of use. If we like it we’ll tell you, and if we don’t we’ll tell you. That’s our policy…If you have gear for us to consider for a review please contact us at luke@climbingzine.com.
Please consider subscribing to The Climbing Zine. It’s $17.99 a year for two issues, or $34.99 for two years, and this greatly helps us produce free web content like this.
About us: The Climbing Zine was started in 2010 by Al Smith III and Luke Mehall. It continues to the day with the mission of representing the true essence of climbing. Our crown jewel is our printed version, but we also do the interweb thing, and Kindle.
We have also published three books: American Climber, The Great American Dirtbags and Climbing Out of Bed, written by publisher, Luke Mehall.
