Petzl Bug Review
Cons: Heavy, below average durability, no emergency whistle
Manufacturer: Petzl
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Petzl Bug | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  | |||
| Price | $69.95 at Amazon | $78.95 at Backcountry | $59.95 at Backcountry | $119.95 at Backcountry | $79.95 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Comfortable, easy to pack | Simple, great zippered pocket, streamlined | Simple, sturdy, light | Durable, fully featured, ready to haul | Light, great features, roomy |
| Cons | Heavy, below average durability, no emergency whistle | Limited attachment points, easy to drop stuff | No emergency whistle, draw cord and cord lock blend into pack | Heavy, pricey | Fragile, not super versatile |
| Bottom Line | Comfortable, excellent packing volume for a sleek looking pack | Though there are no extra features, this bag ticks the boxes for mulit-pitch climbing | This well rounded pack is a good choice for long rock climbs | This durable pack is a good choice for dry environments | Alpine climbing mission? This is the small pack for you |
| Rating Categories | Petzl Bug | The North Face Route Rocket | Black Diamond Rock Blitz 15 | Multi-Pitch 20 | Black Diamond Blitz 20 |
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Climbing Utility (25%) | |||||
| Durability (20%) | |||||
| Versatility (20%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Petzl Bug | The North Face... | Black Diamond Rock... | Multi-Pitch 20 | Black Diamond... |
| Capacity (Liters) | 18 | 16 | 15 | 20 | 20 |
| Measured Weight | 1.1 lbs | 1.1 lbs | 0.85 lbs | 1.5 lbs | 0.88 lbs |
| Padded back? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fabric Type | 400D nylon | 420D nylon | 840D nylon | Cotton/Polyester blend with 200D Nylon Kevlar Dobby | Dynex (210D + PE 200D) |
| Whistle? | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Accessory Pockets? | One external zip, one external open, one internal zip | One external zip | One external zip, one internal zip | One external zip, two internal zip, stowable mesh side pocket | One external zip, one internal zip |
| Outside Carry Options? | Top strap, one daisy chain | External daisy chains | Top strap doubles as rope strap | Detachable mesh side pocket, top strap | Top strap, ice axe attachments |
| Hip Belt | Yes | Yes, removable | Yes, removable | Yes, removable webbing | Yes, removable |
| Hydration System Compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Key Clip? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Petzl Bug is a solid contender with no stand-out features. It has almost all of the features we want and is the most comfortable contender in the review - when both hiking and climbing comfort are taken into account. It's below average in both weight and durability.
Performance Comparison
Weight
The Petzl Bug tips the scales at 18 ounces. Nothing on the pack is removable, so this is the weight users are stuck with. We wish at least the pack's hip-belt was removable. Our testers suspect that it's the Bug's well padded back panel that has it looking plumper than most of the competition.
Durability
The base is sewn of sturdier stuff, but still inferior to the bases on the other top packs. The main external zipper is in the middle of the pack for size. Our testers were disappointed to see wimpy hardware in such a crucial location. We are somewhat reassured by the flap that protects it from damage. The two compression straps are unique in our test and feature small buckles that are an odd size and variety. If the male part of one buckle were to break a replacement would be hard to find.
Climbing Utility
The Bug has a reasonably solid feature set. It has one exterior pocket that's roomy but hard to get into when the pack is full. The generous internal zippered pocket is where the key clip lives. The sternum strap buckle does not double as a whistle. This pack has one unique feature: the topo pocket, which lives in the back panel of the pack. Though it does hold and 8/12" x 11" piece of paper well, our testers found it more useful for stowing the shoulder straps.
The Bug has all the standard hydration system features, except for a loop or clip to secure the top of a hydration reservoir. Our testers found that this allowed 2 - 3L reservoirs to flop around (unbalancing the pack) or even fold over (compromising water flow).
Although this bag lacks dual haul loops, the main haul point can be backed up using the top loop of the daisy chain. It's inconvenient, yet possible, to tuck the shoulder straps into the back panel pocket to streamline hauling as well. The hip belt has its own dedicated slot in the back panel to disappear into. The pack is reasonably streamlined, the only place it could get hung up is on the compression straps.
The 18 liter capacity of this pack is contained inside a simple rectangular shape which made packing reasonably easy. We found it less challenging than expected to retrieve something packed away in the bottom. Like the other bags we tested, it works fine on straightforward, half-day, multi-pitch routes. However, it also has enough capacity to accommodate longer days or carry-over objectives.
Versatility
Functionally this pack has a few deficiencies in versatility. For carrying inside an overnight bag for use as a summit-only pack, it's heavier and bulkier other options. It's also more than capable of toting around a laptop, serving as a daypack for hiking, or any of the other things a small backpack might get used for.
Attaching a single mountaineering axe to the outside of the pack requires some rigging with the single daisy chain, connecting a pair of ice tools is trickier. The buckles aren't particularly glove-friendly, another limiting factor in the Bug's potential alpine career.
The Bug's rope handling top strap is complemented by the compression straps. This offers the best rope containment solution of any pack in the test.
Comfort
The Petzl Bug's basic rectangular shape and slightly curved shoulder straps do not scream "ergonomic climbing comfort" to our testers. Nevertheless, our testers enjoy climbing with this pack on (as much as one can enjoy climbing with a pack on). The Bug is also comfortable on the trail. Part of its high weight is caused by extra padding in the back panel, which makes it more pleasant to wear.
Value
The Bug is about twice as much as the lowest-priced packs, but in the neighborhood of the other models we tested. We think you can get more pack for your dollar. If you like this bag, but you're on a budget, search for sales.
Conclusion
The Petzl Bug is a comfortable climbing pack with a reasonable feature set. It's also the most comfortable pack we tested. However, its relatively heavy weight isn't offset by any benefits in durability. Comfort alone isn't enough to make this pack stand out from its peers.
— Ian McEleney