Petzl's New Climbing Pack

Petzl is best known for headtorches and climbing hardware and harnesses, but from April 2008, you'll be able to buy a Petzl daysack designed for climbing.

The new Petzl Bug has been designed specifically to cope with the demands of climbing long, multi-pitch rock routes with a range of features aimed at making life on the rock face as easy as possible.

It all starts with the rounded, but rectangular shape, which Petzl says maximises volume while minimising interference during use and at 18 litres it should have enough space for carrying climbing gear, water, a topo or guidebook, spare clothing and shoes.

It's designed to sit high on the back to allow easy access to the gear loops on the back of your harness and features a simple waist strap and lateral compression straps to keep things stable and in place while ergonomically shaped shoulder straps give easy movement and comfort.

A rope can be strapped to the bottom of the pack during walk-ins and other neat details include an external guidebook pocket, attachment loop for a Petzle e+LITE, hydration system compatibility, a small external pocket on the shoulder strap and a single top opening with handle.

Claimed weight is a minimal 570 grammes and when available in the shops next month, suggested price will be £35, so quite affordable even for cheapskate climbers ;-)

More Petzl information at www.petzl.com. UK stockist information from info@lyon.co.uk.