Alpha FL 30 Backpack

Beautiful sack to strap to your back but falls short in a few obvious areas. The rope strap is a nice natural place to grab the bag from above but the plastic buckle is of standard variety and resists no weight. Not durable. They omitted the (very few) lash points the 45L model has. Very pointless reduction in weight you recieve in exchange for far less versatility. The few lash points on the 45L model are nice though. No interior organization so if you have something you never want to take out the only option is the one plainly zippered pocket on the exterior. The roll top fabric is very thin for some reason and doesn't hold out continuous rain. It heavily wets out and leaks near the seam to the main pack. A material such as X-pac would have been more suitable. The draw string enclosure snags often, while closing, unless you carefully massage the opening with a second hand. Usually you can make it 80% of the way with one hand. Additionally there is no drainage for the area between the draw top and roll top closing options so precip just fills in here and pressures the roll top enclosure constantly (Which will very quickly leak above 0C). All said though it looks really nice, is simplish, and has a unique tough exterior fabric and lovely white interior. You are unlikely to be climbing ever in rain but still the lack of attention to the precipitation details knocks this bag down a star.

Great lightweight pack. No unnecessary bells and whistles. Comfortable even with heavier loads. Waterproof and durable. Only thing I would change is the top strap, excess strap sometimes annoyingly hangs between the back panel and back. Switching the strap and buckle around should solve this, perhaps in an updated version. Other than that I absolutely love the pack. Out of my collection of packs, this is hand down the #1 pack.

I was recommended this bag by a friend, when looking for a lightweight daysack. The bag is minimalist in design, and as a climbing/alpine bag has features I don't use (rope strap) but it is beautifully made. the AC2 fabric feels super tough. As a day bag it is incredibly useful. The simple drawstring closure works really well in conjunction with the internal roll top closure. The white interior makes finding things in the bag easy. So far I've only used it in light rain and no leaks so far. The duel fastenings keep the bags contents dry. Surprisingly despite the minimal harness this bag is super comfortable to carry. Just proves you don't need lots of adjustments, just great design. If I could change one thing, it would be to add a hydration bladder port and suspension loop to make the bag even more adaptable. This is a really great bag it epitomizes the concept of backwoods minimalism.

I've been using the Alpha fl 30 for 3 years as my goto pack for summer, winter and alpine climbing. This pack is very minimal with everything you need to save the day.. This means less loose things to catch your face in windy conditions, it'll look after your kit like a new born baby. It'll protect its contents from heavy wet snow, rain and a nuclear attack... The hip belt doesn't have thick padding, yea I agree but it doesn't need it in my opinion. Getting to ice or mixed climbs in Scotland is no easy task. Usually a long walk up hill on poor trails, if a trail exists are usual involved.. On arrival at the base of said objective my shoulders, hips and back are never aching or sore. If your climbing with your empty pack, the bungee and hip belt will make this into a small compact bag,so it can be used as a pack for your 2nd to carry on hard long mixed routes. One small flaw is the hip belt slips if the pack is loaded while your running. Yes Some of us Scots are a bit mad like that, jogging back, simply reduces the risk of the haggis escaping the table. Easy long walking days, long multi route link ups, hard mixed, steep Ice this bag will take it in its stride and be your best pal. I can't seem to find anything wrong with this bag and the price is irelivent when somthing works and lasts so well.

I find the 30L a great size for bike commuting and day hikes - enough for a change of clothes, shoes, laptop and book. Seems to be rain-proof as long as you do up the top properly. I really like the simple shape and minimal structure, i.e. the straps and back are not at all stiff so I find it comfortable. It would be great if there was one more internal pocket for keys, etc. as the external one is quite small but I see why they've kept it minimal.

After getting everything in my pack soaked in a downpour, I went looking for a pack that would climb well and would keep everything dry. The FL 30 fills the bill and then some. I was surprised by two reviews that said the pack isn't waterproof; the only possible conclusion is that the reviewers didn't understand how to close up the inner roll top collar. When this is done up the pack is not only watertight, it seems to be airtight as well. I've had it in some very severe mountain storms and not even a drop of water got in. The inner collar does make loading and unloading a little awkward. I roll the collar up and out of the way in general, and only deploy it when the weather turns bad. It would be nice if there was a system for keeping the collar rolled and up against the pack walls---a few velcro dots would do the trick. A second slightly awkward feature is that the top closing drawstring binds inside its tunnel. I find I can't quickly close the top as intended; I have to pinch the area just behind the drawstring entrance grommet to keep the drawstring from catching the material and binding. I've found durability to be excellent. It seems to me to be almost impossible to keep from getting small holes in a pack, but this one has done far better than my other packs, and hasn't acquired but one hole, and that one was unavoidable, as I slipped in a stream crossing and fell hard on the pack. Gear Aid tape patches inside and out restored full waterproofness. I wouldn't want any kind of bottle holder on the outside of a climbing pack. The absence of a bladder drinking tube hole doesn't bother me, as I never use such a tube while climbing, and while hiking I can route a tube through the top of the pack as long as the roll-top is open. If it starts to rain, the tube goes into the pack and then no drinking except during stops. The elastic axe and crampon holders have worked fine for me. When not carrying snow/ice gear, they make a place to stuff a jacket on the outside. This is particularly useful if the jacket is soaking wet from a rain storm and you don't want to put it back in the pack. As mentioned by another reviewer, the zipper pocket doesn't hold much and, when pressured by the contents of the pack, is hard to get in and out of. I put in some energy bars and gels, a gps unit and/or my phone, and that's about it. It would be nice to have a second zipper pocket inside the pack. All in all, this is the best "smallish" climbing pack I've owned, and the only one that can stand up to bad weather. It is big enough to work as a "second's pack" for two people on one-day alpine routes when the leader is climbing without a pack.

I have had this backpack for a few years now, and am amazed at all it's features every time I pull it out. Extremely lightweight and comfortable and am always impressed at how this thing seals up airtight. Have taking it on many hiking trips, going to take it out touring this winter and see how it does.

The pack has some classic Arcteryx features: excellent material, toughness, simple and sleek lines, great build quality. It rides well, carries the load well and will last for a long time. However, there are some questions about the pack which pop up at the back of my head. There are no strap keepers except for the rope-clipper right at the top of the pack. This is quite surprising for an alpine pack. This means that the waist, as well as the shoulder traps will have excess straps flapping around in the wind when you are working hard with the pack. The most jarring fact about this is, of course, the waist straps - they are long and unpadded. And if you don't use for whatever reason, they flap in the wind. It would be great to see Arcteryx design strap-keepers for this pack. The volume of the pack is expandable - but there is no way to keep the expandable collar neatly tucked away inside the pack. It'll threaten to rise up every single time you use the pack. I have seen other packs provide a system for keeping the collar down... but this pack doesn't have any such system. Water bottle holder? None of that either. So in short, the pack is classic Arcteryx, good quality but simple... kinda old fashioned. You can sense that the innovation at the organisation is driven by the clothing line - and the packs aren't as thoughtful or cutting edge as the other divisions.

J'utilise ce sac dans mon activité professionnelle. Je me suis orienté vers cet alpha pour sa finition, son étanchéité et sa résistance. Résultat des courses, j'ai effectué 8 sorties avec ce sac (2 randonnée à pied, 4 sorties escalade et 2 sorties alpinisme) et j'ai eu l'apparition de trous d'usure. Ce sont des petits trous au niveau des pliures du sac et qui rendent l'étanchéité caduque. J'ai renvoyé le produit à Art'téryx pour une réparation que ceux-ci me facturait 26€ ! J'ai préféré récupérer mon sac et le réparer moi même. Je suis très déçu par la résistance et la durabilité de ce sac et ne le conseille pas du tout. Espérons que les autres produits Arc'téryx ne perdent pas en qualité.

I love this pack and everything about it. I have used this pack for both technical purposes (i.e., climbing and hiking) as well as just basic commuter/daily purposes and I find it works great for both. However, it clearly is designed, and excels the most, in the alpine environment. Pros: (1) The pack is amazingly lightweight for its size (there is a caveat to the size I will mention later). (2) It is incredibly durable and water proof. I personally have yet to tear a hole into this pack or managed to have any water permeate it whatsoever. (3) Simplistic design with just enough support in its frame and straps (4) The design allows it to hold tightly to your body, which is incredibly important in a pack while climbing. (5) Easy to manipulate (i.e., open the main and external compartments, put on/take off, adjust straps, unclip waistbelt) in the freezing cold while wearing multiple layers of gloves. Although I haven’t tried, you could probably do everything you need to even with mittens on. (6) Ice axe/tool attachments are easier to use than traditional attachments (7) Crampon straps work great. I thought my crampons would have cut these by now, but I have yet to have any issues. Also, you can use the straps for other things you need to attach on the outside (e.g., helmet, belay jacket) (8) I actually find the key hook in the external pocket quite useful most of the time. That said, I am not carrying my house keys on me for big alpine objectives and haven’t found a use for it then. Cons: (1) Expensive, but it find it is worth it (2) It lacks the external attachment points that are found on the Alpha FL 45. I found these quite useful for the 45L version, particularly for attaching boots for approaches. I don't see any reason why they couldn't add these to the 30L, besides that it would add a little weight. (3) The size is a bit deceiving, as the size in the name of the product is actually the size with the roll top fully expanded.

Habe mir den Rucksack letztes Jahr im Oktober gekauft und bisher so gut wie nicht verwendet. (2 Wanderungen 1x Klettersteig) Jetzt bin ich beim Abstieg in einen starken Regen / Hagle gekommen. Nach etwas über einer Stunde beim Auto musste ich feststellen, dass im Rucksack richtiggehenden eine Lacke stand. Hätte ich mein Gewand nicht zusätzlich in DryBags wäre alles Nass gewesen. (Übrigen meine 3 Jahre alte und immer nach Vorschrift gepflegte ALPHA SV Jacke hat auch nicht dicht gehalten :-( )

A really nice minimalist alpine pack. Not had any problems with weather proofing, but without a full roll top lid I could be skeptical in a downpour and could expect water to build up. When fully loaded the pack is comfortable and stable. Takes a good amount of gear, holds technical tools, crampons and a rope on the outside neatly. A few gripes: 1: the zipped pocket is difficult to access when filled and the pack is fully loaded. Makes getting small things, e.g. keys, headtorch, food etc difficult to get out. 2: It would be nice to have an extra layer laminated onto the front, where crampons attach. Not too keen on mixing sharp crampon points with only one layer of AC2. 3: The good old velcro loops for holding ice axe handles would be far better, the shock cord works, but you have to remember to attach the handle first before the axe head. Minor but would make using the pack easier. Please don't stop making this pack.

Just came back from Kilimanjaro, there were few days raining and snowing days. The bag couldn't stop the water came into it and got very wet.. the top is just badly design to absorb or collect rain or when the snow melt, it went into the bag. The bag is good for sunny or urban, not good for wet weather at all.

This is one of the most favorite things I own. Arc'teryx would be doing themselves a tremendous disservice if they ever stopped producing this bag. Simple, functional.

The pack is great for climbing on Sunny days. It has a Nice fit. The main "body" of the pack is very weather resistant however the top part is Not weather resistant therefore it gets soaked after 2 hours in the rain and clothing inside the pack gets very wet. The top part of the pack dries slowly. I would not recommend this for mountaineering.

Recently replaced an old Osprey day pack with the Alpha FL 30. Have used it in a variety of different conditions, from day hikes, snowshoeing, canyoneering, and also biking to and from work. The AC2 construction is bomber. I have been in a heavy downpour and everything inside has stayed dry. During a recent canyoneering trip to Utah I had this pack fully submerged and everything stayed dry. Super easy to attach ice tools and hiking poles to as well.

I have traveled on a few trips with this pack and it serves as a great all rounder. I wanted a smaller pack that would serve as a great carry on to a pack i would use on light ascents and day hikes, the alpha was a choice i had researched and decided to give it a go. Arcteryx does not skimp on quality and details for this more affordable pack in its lineup, the alpha fl was intended to be a climbing pack but it can serve many more areas of need given its weight and features. It is extremely lightweight compared to my other arc piece pictured, the bora 80 which is a feature packed backpacking beast which is around 6-7 lbs dry. The alpha fl is a feather weight and has enought features for multi sports. I have used it on day trip ascents, ski touring, using it for days at the rock gym, carry on luggage, and hiking in wet climates. The drawcords in the front allow for versatility in strapping down various tools - ice tools, shoes, crampons, helmets, etc. Aside from the main opening, the pack has one other front pocket small enough for tiny electronics, keys, snacks, and other quick grab essentials to be stored. The seams on the pack make it water resistant but after a year, like with most coated packs, the inner liner will start to crack and fade. Mine has started this process. The pack is very light, and easy to wash since its frameless and can contort/pack to a small foot print. Keeping it clean is a much easier process than my bora. Overall this is great pack, it has all the features i need for the described activities, I did not buy it intending it to be used out of those realms. Very versatile pack, looks great, lightweight, and at a reasonable price with arcteryx quality.

I tried this on in the store and it's amazingly light and super comfortable. I would have bought it except there's nowhere to put a water bottle or platypus, and I hate having to stop and take my bag off every time I'm thirsty. I wish this bag came with either water bottle holders or a hole for a platypus!

Outstanding backpack. Very good delivery. Optimal for "fast & light" devoted.

I first ordered this pack for use with camping, day hikes, and climbing. As of late I have use the pack for one entire week you're in Vail. The pack has proved extremely versatile, waterproof, durable, and intuitive in regards to the functionality of the pack. The pack is held everything that I need including multiple water bladders emergency rescue equipment and even extra layers for variable conditions. Although this pack is highly recommended for climbing I, I have found it extremely useful in functional for Alpine skiing. The pack has one main entry in the top that can be easily open and accessed via and included rip-cord-like-tag on the top, which then allows access to the waterproof membrane which can be rolled up and clipped shut. The front zipper pocket is extremely handy for snacks medication sunglasses keys and other personable's that need to be quickly accessed. The pack is designed to be unclipped, and removed extremely quickly and proved successful via the many lift lines in chairlift mounts that took place on my trip.

This was my favorite bag until I got the 35L duffle (which is made of the same material). The is bag has been abused, thrown around doesn't have a mark on it. It's water repellency was a huge factor for me getting it but was a little disappointed when a little puddle on the roll top let water seep in. Very comfortable on the back even when fully weighted.

Extremely light, but still very comfortable to carry even semi heavy loads. I like that the top is not a roll closing, so that you can decide yourself whether you need "completely" weatherproofing. It is really easy to attach axes, and the elastic wepping easily carries your crampons or a jacket. The material is quity sturdy, but I have some small holes in mine after some weeks of abuse. Maybe you could make a hole to a water hose above the inner closure, so you still have a very weatherproof pack. My exeperience with this bag is so good, that I now bought the 45 liters to cragging.