The North Face Verto 32 Backpack

something practical..... Verto 32
February 26, 2013

this is lightweight backpack with good stitching quality materials with a large capacity of 32 liters in a single compartment. that makes it easy to reach from the top compartment, the backpack features classic locking system using a single lid closure, Compression System Triple-Point only. It has 2 zippered pockets and a container for a water bottle. Equipped with two ice axes holder. Padded shoulder straps and removable belt minimalist minimalist. It's just a tape without quilting, in the end it is something practical, high-capacity, lightweight, designed for our great challenges.

Great design for alpine daypack
February 14, 2013

Verto 32 is a well featured but super lightweight pack intended for alpinism/mountaineering intended pack that is a steal at the sale prices here. Just got mine and love it already. Its feather light - mine weighs 1 lb 4 oz - but has everything you need (and nothing you don't# for a one day, car to car climb or scramble in the mountains. Its one size - fits my 20-21" torso perfectly, and would fit anyone a few inches shorter - probably not so much if you are longer or taller than 6-0 or so. The waist belt rides just high enough not to interfere with harness access. The frame pad is a simple, removable sheet of 1/4 or 3/8 closed cell - perfect. Shoulder and waistbelt padding is goldilocks - not too much, not too little. Inside the main sack, there is a zippered mesh pocket #similar to a CiloGear ninja pocket# for smaller items that you want to keep in one spot. There is a hood for a hydration bladder, but no outlet port in the pack body #so run the hose out under the lid#. Not ideal, but you should be carrying water in gatorade bottles anyway. Outside of the pack has the tried and true alpinist features: two compression straps per side, two tool loops and shaft keepers, one side pocket for a bottle, wands, or picket or two, and several loops that allow you to rig up the included shock cord into an external webbing deal if you choose. The strapping and buckles are small/thin but adequate #one way to get a pack this featured to be this light). The lid is simple, with one zip pocket with a key clip - big enough for spare gloves and microspikes, plus a bar or a few gels - perfect. It is not removable, but so light an minimal, there's no compelling need to remove it anyway. A single lid closure buckle battens it down to a daisy chain on the front center. Simple, great. It would be better if there was a rope retainer strap under the lid but you can still ride your rope there just fine. Suspension buckles are standard, proven fare - shaped angled shoulder straps with load lifters and a chest strap. The hip belt is fine, but not removable. Load stays tight to your body, so very nice for scrambling and climbing movement. Again, so minimalist, there's really no need to remove it. The waist belt would be better with a couple of gear loops and ice clipper slots, but not a big deal. One haul loop, not sure how strong it is, but it seems fine for any load you'd have in a pack this size. In terms of carry weight - think day loads, 15-30 pound range - same as any internal frame 25-30 liter bag. Its fine for harness, rack, rope, shoes, belay jacket, water/food, and crampons and tools. It would work for an fair weather overnight with ultralight kit and minimal technical gear on board - it'll haul a light tent and bag, with some room for more, but not much more. The material is basically nylon ripstop, stitching looks fine. Similar to the old ripstop MEC summit bags etc. All in all, I think the average size climber/mountaineer would have a hard time finding a lighter, more completely featured day sack than this one at anything resembling these low prices. Its as light as a summit pack, but roomier and more featured, just right for those 8-12 hour car to car outings where you need to carry some gear, but a 40 or 50L would be overkill - fourteeners, Flatirons, short approach ice cragging, etc.

Write a review for the The North Face Verto 32 Backpack here.