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Black Diamond Shot Review

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Black Diamond Shot Review (The Black Diamond Shot)
The Black Diamond Shot
Credit: http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com
Price:  $50 List
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Manufacturer:   Black Diamond
By Chris McNamara ⋅ Founder and Editor-in-Chief  ⋅  Oct 27, 2010
69
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Weight - 15% 7.0
  • Durability - 15% 8.0
  • Packed Size - 20% 6.0
  • Climbing Utility - 15% 7.0
  • Versatility - 20% 8.0
  • Comfort - 15% 5.0

Our Verdict

The BD Shot is No Longer Available
REASONS TO BUY
Great features
Streamlined
Easy access
REASONS TO AVOID
Constrictive
Climbs poorly

The Black Diamond Shot got my hopes up and then didn't deliver The Shot is a great pack, in theory. A new take on the classic Bullet, with a padded back and updated features. How can that go wrong? Well, it did. This is not a good climbing specific pack; you'd be much better off with the tried and true Black Diamond Bullet if you are looking for a pack of a similar style and size. Youll also get a more durable pack, for essentially the same weight (since the Bullet sheds the weight of the padding).

If you like the idea of back padding in a pack, consider instead the Black Diamond BBEE or the Petzl Bug; the padding systems of each of these packs form to the contours of your back much better than the Shots. If you like the low profile design (slimmer but wider), consider the similarly shaped Petzl Bug.

This pack has some of the most innovative features on the market. I wish that BD would take the new features of this pack and put them on some of the other packs in their lineup. Or, better yet, make a pack that combines the unique features! The classic Bullet body, with the dual hydration ports and removable waistbelt of the Shot, and the back padding of the BBEE, now that would be a pack

Our Analysis and Test Results

Likes


Black Diamond loaded the Shot with features, while keeping the pack streamlined and lightweight. The Shot weighs in at 13 ounces (370 g), which is quite light for a pack with its materials and features. It is made of burly 840 denier ballistic nylon throughout to hold up to abrasion and every-day wear and tear. The front of the pack is completely streamlined, with nothing to catch while bushwacking on an approach or during hauling.

The Shots really innovative feature is the removable waistbelt design that is quick and easy to use, and really is ideal for climbing. The strap cinches opposite to that of the standard waistbelt; the excess strap hangs near the pack and out of your way, rather than in front of your waist. If you choose to climb without the belt, simply unthread the strap from the fixed plastic piece, and stow the strap. Or, if you really want to shed weight, leave the strap at home.
The hydration system is also the best weve seen, with ports that feed out onto each shoulder strap individually but are completely flush with the pack when not in use. This gives you control over which side your tube is on while keeping the tube completely out of your way.

The Shot offers some other features worth noting. There is an easy-access external zipper pocket for all the essentials, complete with key clip. The long, narrow handle design makes clipping the pack to an anchor easy and secure. Finally, the back padding keeps you from getting poked by awkward or sharp objects you are carrying, and gives you some additional support when carrying small but heavy loads (that dont fill up the pack).

In addition to its on the rock attributes, the Shot performs fairly well off the cliff; its large main opening easily accommodates groceries or books, and its styling makes it at home in the office or at school.

Dislikes


The Black Diamond Shot was the least comfortable pack we tested. Its padding system actually seems to work against the comfort of the pack when loaded, the padding keeps the pack from conforming well to the shape of your back and instead puts all the pressure at a certain point. It also takes away from the ability to pack the bag small, so the Shot becomes much less effective as a summit pack. Lastly, it seems to go against the whole classically simple (pulled from Black Diamond product description) design of the pack, adding excess weight and bulk to an otherwise no-frills product.

The shape of the Shot also takes away from the climbing utility of the pack. The design is attempting to make the pack as low profile as possible (i.e. closer to your back), but by doing so the pack must therefore be wider in order to have the same volume (the pack cannot be longer, since it would then interfere with access to a harness or chalk bag). This width is very noticeable when climbing, and limits (if slightly) stemming moves and liebacks.

The Shots handle, designed specifically to be clipped in at belays, can be a pain in everyday use, and the back padding is as much of an issue off the wall as it is on it.

Best Application


School or work bag, occasional multi-pitch climbing, trips to the rock gym.

Value


The pricetag is right on par with packs of this style, but it's not worth the money if you are looking for a climbing-specific pack.

Chris McNamara