Arc’teryx Cierzo 18

Field Notes: Disclaimer: our testers reviewed this pack with a lay person’s attention, meaning we didn’t go climbing with it. But we evaluated it with an eye out to figure out what makes a pack perform for vertical ascents on ice and rock. It has to be lightweight – after all you have to pull your own weight up the wall. It has to not interfere with climbing movements, be low profile and have a center of gravity that is higher on the back rather than near the waist. Put a check in all those boxes for the Cierzo. With the smallest shoulder straps we’ve seen on a day pack, the Arc’teryx Cierzo is not meant to carry much weight at all. The straps narrow down to about a half inch and max out at two inches. Clearly weight savings is at the top of the priority list for the user of the Arc’teryx backpack. 

With its minimalist design and clear weight savings, this could be an ideal addition to a thru-hiker’s gear list for knocking out quick summit missions. The pack features a single exterior pocket that will hold some energy bars or a pair of sunglasses. Gear attachment loops on the exterior are as minimal as they could be while still be sturdy enough to hold items securely. A single gear compression and attachment cords snaked around the pack allow for items to be stowed securely. Made from tough materials – as part of the Arc’teryx Ascent line – the Cierzo backpack is designed specifically for climbing and can handle the abuse rock climbers put their gear thorough as well as the rigors of harsh alpine environments. 

Pros: Ultralight, minimalist and low profile.

Cons: Not much versatility with this pack. 

Tester Comments: “For alpinists, this pack would be indispensable and its design is spot on for that single use.”

Key Attribute: Design