The world's most in-depth and scientific reviews of outdoor gear

Black Diamond Bullet Review

This classic is still going strong, though you cannot carry anything on the outside of the pack.
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Price:  $60 List | $50.96 at Amazon
Compare prices at 2 resellers
Pros:  Durable, sleek, stylish
Cons:  Uncomfortable shoulder straps, no external carrying options
Manufacturer:   Black Diamond
By Ian McEleney ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Oct 15, 2019
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65
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#4 of 11
  • Comfort - 25% 6
  • Climbing Utility - 25% 7
  • Durability - 20% 7
  • Versatility - 20% 6
  • Weight - 10% 6

Our Verdict

In our initial small climbing daypack review, the old version of the Black Diamond Bullet won the Editors' Choice award. The new Bullet is even stronger and sleeker than its predecessor. It's also got many of the features we're looking for in a climbing daypack: a removable hip belt, removable foam back panel, and an emergency whistle. We feel gratitude towards the Bullet because it popularized many of the features we love that are now ubiquitous on rock climbing daypacks.

However, the competition has caught up and now surpasses this pack in overall utility. The Bullet's exterior lacks anchor points to enable you to carry a rope or gear on the outside for approaches or descents. Also, we heard universal complaints about the shoulder straps, which seem prone to sliding off during any athletic movement. Nonetheless, we're forced by several glaring problems in the current version to steer shoppers towards today's well-rounded, Editors' Choice winner, the Patagonia Linked Pack 16L.


Compare to Similar Products

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This Product
Black Diamond Bullet
Awards  Editors' Choice Award    
Price $50.96 at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers		$99.00 at REI
Compare at 3 sellers		$63.88 at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers		$80 List$80 List
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Pros Durable, sleek, stylishLight, stylish, comfortable, versatileComfortable, easy to packSimple, great zippered pocket, streamlinedLight, great features, roomy
Cons Uncomfortable shoulder straps, no external carrying optionsExpensive, no emergency whistleHeavy, below average durability, no emergency whistleLimited attachment points, easy to drop stuffFragile, not super versatile
Bottom Line This classic is still going strong, though you cannot carry anything on the outside of the pack.This light and comfortable pack is an expensive but durable choice for multi-pitch climbing.Comfortable but at or below average in most other ways.This simple pack does what you need with nothing extra.This small climbing pack is optimized for alpine action.
Rating Categories Black Diamond Bullet Patagonia Linked Pack 18L Petzl Bug The North Face Route Rocket Black Diamond Blitz 20
Comfort (25%)
10
0
6
10
0
8
10
0
8
10
0
7
10
0
7
Climbing Utility (25%)
10
0
7
10
0
9
10
0
8
10
0
7
10
0
8
Durability (20%)
10
0
7
10
0
8
10
0
5
10
0
6
10
0
3
Versatility (20%)
10
0
6
10
0
8
10
0
7
10
0
6
10
0
6
Weight (10%)
10
0
6
10
0
5
10
0
6
10
0
6
10
0
7
Specs Black Diamond Bullet Patagonia Linked... Petzl Bug The North Face... Black Diamond...
Capacity (Liters) 16 18 18 16 20
Measured Weight 1.1 lbs 1.23 lbs 1.1 lbs 1.1 lbs 0.88 lbs
Padded back? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Fabric Type 420d nylon, 1260d ballistic nylon 940D Cordura Ballistic nylon 400d nylon 420D nylon Dynex (210d + PE 200d)
Whistle? Yes No No Yes No
Accessory Pockets? One external zip, one internal zip One external zip, one internal zip One external zip, one external open, one internal zip One external zip One external zip, one internal zip
Outside Carry Options? No Top carrying handles, 2 external daisy chains Top strap, one daisy chain External daisy chains Top strap, ice axe attachments
Hip Belt Yes, removable Yes, removable Yes Yes, removable Yes, removable
Hydration System Compatible Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Key Clip? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Our Analysis and Test Results

The updated version of the Black Diamond Bullet features a streamlined exterior and casual styling. It is undeniably well-made and durable.

Performance Comparison


Andy was not held back by The Bullet on this thrutchy lead.
Andy was not held back by The Bullet on this thrutchy lead.

Weight


Stock from the factory, this bag weighs just over a pound, at 18 ounces (510 grams). The only heavier packs in the review have larger volume capacities. You can remove the foam back-panel and hip belt to subtract an additional 2 oz, making its lightest possible configuration a healthy 16 oz.

This pack does little to inhibit climbing movement.
This pack does little to inhibit climbing movement.

Durability


Durability is one of the greatest qualities of the Bullet. This is the result of not only robust materials but a streamlined design unlikely to snag in chimneys or constrictions. It is composed of burly, 1260 denier, ballistics-grade nylon on the base and a 460d nylon body. The exterior zippers on the main body and accessory pocket are the largest and strongest used for any climbing daypack tested. Though we think it highly unlikely they are possible failure points, we subtracted a point for this.

A decent weight-to-volume ratio and good durability makes this pack a good choice for alpine rock routes without crampons or an ice axe.
A decent weight-to-volume ratio and good durability makes this pack a good choice for alpine rock routes without crampons or an ice axe.

Climbing Utility


The design of this bag gives it both strengths and weaknesses in climbing utility. The shape is simple and compact while the absence of external straps or daisy chains further streamlines its profile. It's hard to imagine a pack better designed for wearing or tagging inside a tight chimney, and the possibility of snagging a branch on the approach trail is practically nil. This arguably makes it the best bag for the actual act of climbing.

This streamlined profile can be enhanced for hauling by tucking the shoulder straps inside a flap. Unfortunately, this means unbuckling them and leaves the haul loop as the only option for attachment. It has decent hydration compatibility, a key clip, and an emergency whistle built into the sternum strap. It has one external and one internal zippered pocket. This pack "feels" the smallest of all the 16L models we tested, and no more so when packing it. This contender punishes those with poor packing skills.

The streamlined exterior makes this pack great for actual climbing.
The streamlined exterior makes this pack great for actual climbing.

Versatility


In the same way that climbing utility is limited by the lack of external carry options, so is overall versatility. We like the Bullet's stylish exterior for everyday uses like going to class or toting your laptop to a coffee shop. It's also great for other activities like biking, caving, or skiing where you wouldn't want to carry anything on the outside.

Though it's not the lightest pack in the review, it does fit into a larger pack relatively well, especially when the foam pad has been removed. Yet its small overall capacity and inability to carry an ice axe limit its potential use as a mountaineering summit pack—perhaps the most popular secondary purpose of a rock climbing backpack.

There's no simple way to attach either of these items to the outside of this pack.
There's no simple way to attach either of these items to the outside of this pack.

The lack of external straps or even a daisy chain means that there's no way to attach extra gear or a rope to the outside. For many of our testers who enjoy climbing carry-over multi-pitch routes, this is one of the essential features of a climbing backpack—the ability to carry a rope, helmet, large cams, or other awkward objects on the outside during the approach and descent. Different packs offered this option while still coming with reasonably smooth exteriors.

Comfort


The back panel and hip belt are adequate on the Bullet. The problem is the shoulder straps, which many felt were too wide-set. During climbing or any other athletic movement, these straps are prone to sliding off the shoulder. Even our broadly built, 6'3" tester complained. This problem can, of course, be remedied by keeping the chest strap fastened and tight. However, this solution isn't ideal because it can inhibit breathing or accidentally pin down a shoulder-length runner while placing desperate protection.

The simple girth hitched hip belt attachment.
The simple girth hitched hip belt attachment.

Value


This is one of the lowest-priced bags we tested. As long as shoppers understand and are comfortable with its limitations, it could be a potentially great deal.

Conclusion


Two crucial qualities undermined the Bullet's performance in this review: the lack of external carrying options and shoulders straps prone to sliding off. These deficiencies force us to suggest that anyone seeking a climbing daypack consider the other options first, unless these qualities are low on your list of priorities.

The BD Bullet is fine for strenuous multi-pitch routes without a carry over. Just make sure you keep the sternum strap clipped. Seen Here on Positive Vibes The Incredible Hulk California.
The BD Bullet is fine for strenuous multi-pitch routes without a carry over. Just make sure you keep the sternum strap clipped. Seen Here on Positive Vibes, The Incredible Hulk, California.


— Ian McEleney