Alpine Light 50L Backpack
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Quantity
Why We Like The Mountain Hardwear Alpine Light 50L Backpack
When we've got plans to ascend monumental mountains with rock, ice, and snow blocking our path, we pack up the Mountain Hardwear Alpine Light 50L Backpack. The backpack is designed for gear-heavy expeditions, with removable front webbing straps, a modular center rope strap, and side compression straps that secure carabiners, ice axes, ice screws, crampons, and even skis so we can be prepared for everything the mountains hold in store. The inside of the pack offers 50 liters of space for our sleeping bag, bivy, food, extra layers, and smaller gear, with a removable pocket that allows us to keep our small essentials organized and easily accessible. All that gear is supported by a 7000 series aluminum frame that evenly distributes weight and a removable foam frame sheet that keeps us comfortable no matter how much cargo we're hauling.
Details
- Versatile backpack for multi-day expeditions in the high alpine
- 50-liter capacity carries everything we need for technical routes
- Extremely tough nylon construction stands up to rough rock
- 7000 series aluminum frame provides support and structure
- Closed-cell foam frame sheet doubles as a seat-pad
- Seven total pockets help keep our smaller gear organized
- Compression webbing allows us to secure external gear
- Quick access tool carry system holds axes, poles, and skis
- Item #MHWZA02
- Material
- [face fabric] 200D nylon ripstop, [bottom] double-layered 200D nylon ripstop
- Volume
- 50L (3051cu in)
- Support/Suspension
- 7000 series aluminum, closed-cell foam
- Shoulder Straps
- padded, adjustable
- Waist Belt
- padded, removable
- Hydration Compatible
- yes
- Access
- top
- Pockets
- 2 zippered lid, 2 side, 2 zippered hip, 1 internal removable
- Gear Loops
- front and rear grab loops
- Ice Axe Carry
- 2
- Trekking Pole Carry
- 2
- Compression
- side, center
- Claimed Weight
- [S/M] 2lb 8.7oz, [M/L] 2lb 9.2oz
- Activity
- backpacking, hiking, ice climbing, mountaineering, ski mountaineering
- Manufacturer Warranty
- limited lifetime
Reviews
Q&A
What do you think about this product?
Overall Rating
4.5 based on 8 ratings
Review Summary
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Selecting an option will reload the available reviews on the pageApril 5, 2025
Not a small/medium.
Great pack terrible sizing. Super light, lots of great feature. The small/medium is not. I am 165cm and the pack was huge on me. I had to return it. Please make a real small.
Originally reviewed on mountainhardwear.ca
February 5, 2025
Good pack, some issues
This pack is great in terms of versatility. Can be used for a day mission just as well as for several nights out. Nice and roomy main compartment, and great compression. The buckles and straps feel a bit too flimsy for a technical pack. After just a handful of uses ive already broken through the sewing on the waist straps, although easily fixed by just tying a not. The buckles on the side straps should be metal pass thoughts rather than plastic clip buckles, which easily break and dont hold gear (skis) as well as they could. the side pockets are alright if the pack is not full, but if it is they are very hard to get into, could do away with those and add size zipper access. Back panel access would also be a game changer on this pack. Lastly, I don't understand why these dont have gear loops on the waist belt like many other MH packs.
Originally reviewed on mountainhardwear.com
November 10, 2024
Good pack with some room for improvement
Pack is super light and good, minimal features. The white color looks good (at least when new) but doesn't make sense. Using this in snow and ice (its intended purpose) means it can more easily get lost if you were to drop it or be stuck in a blizzard, and if someone is looking for you after an accident, it will be more difficult to find you. The color choice seems to be mimicking dyneema fibers (which can't be dyed and are white by necessity), but these packs are made of nylon, not dyneema. The pack carries well considering how light it is. I Have some durability concerns. After 1 climbing trip, there is already a small hole in the fabric at the bottom corner of the frame, presumably from scrambling over and down rocks. Lastly, the ice tool attachments have multiple issues: the metal tool clip at the bottom works fine but feels like the elastic cord holding it in place could break and it is connected to the other side, so you could potentially lose both tools if it snapped and it makes it more difficult to repair. Also, the top cord attachement for ice tools attaches to the shaft in 2 separate ways, one is very insecure and can just pop off (possibly sending your tool down the mountain; mine popped out of the top attachment and swung down/flipped over, luckily didn't come off); the other shaft securing option is to put the shaft through the loop of cord and tighten it with the spring loaded clamp. This is more secure but the spring clamp is not strong enough and it gradually loosens until the shaft is moving around by a few inches on the back of your pack.
Originally reviewed on mountainhardwear.com
July 18, 2024
Big bag… made with big love!
Great, versatile pack geared towards the Alpine. It’s lightweight and has a very open mouth to be able to dump plenty of gear into. The shoulder straps and removable hip belt are very comfy for being thin and lightweight… my past experiences with different packs is that this would eventually start cutting into the shoulders and waste leading to a difficult decent… but this pack was still comfy, even when you feel like a nail being hammered into the ground.
Originally reviewed on mountainhardwear.com
June 24, 2024
Fantastic Alpine Climbing Pack
My favorite overnight Alpine pack. Carries crampons and ice axe/s well. Lightweight modular design is sweet -can pare down as summit pack. The two side pockets get covered up if you strap stuff to sides of pack - however they become clutch organization when using the pack as a minimalist summit pack (lid off, etc). I'm 5'1" and the S/M fits well and carries well. One wish is for the waist belt pockets to be larger.
Originally reviewed on mountainhardwear.com
April 25, 2024
Great bag
Very nice bag, large and lightweight with good crampon and ice axe attachments.
Originally reviewed on mountainhardwear.com
January 11, 2024
Better than hyperlite :)
Great pack! I've used it for a couple alpine climbs and several ice cragging days. It carries a load really well and all the "creature comfort" features are well constructed and useful, ie the side pockets, internal pocket, tool/crampon attachment. The tool carry is no fuss and works great for both techy and straight shaft tools, which is great. The crampon carry is also simple and light, though I'm hoping there isn't any long term wear on the face material. I happen to prefer hip belt pockets over gear loops so I'm a fan of those. The reason I like this pack so much over similar alternatives are the internal frame and load lifter straps are very sorely missed features missing from too many alpine packs. Not sure on long term durability yet as Ive only had it for a month but I've had it out on probably a dozen outings so far and its held up great.
Originally reviewed on mountainhardwear.com
November 12, 2023
Great lightweight pack!
Awesome pack. Very durable and lightweight. Fits great and holds all your mountain ascent gear. Highly recommend.
Originally reviewed on mountainhardwear.com
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