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Petzl Bug Review

Comfortable but at or below average in most other ways.
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Price:  $70 List | $63.88 at Amazon
Compare prices at 2 resellers
Pros:  Comfortable, easy to pack
Cons:  Heavy, below average durability, no emergency whistle
Manufacturer:   Petzl
By Ian McEleney ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Nov 23, 2017
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70
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#2 of 11
  • Comfort - 25% 8
  • Climbing Utility - 25% 8
  • Durability - 20% 5
  • Versatility - 20% 7
  • Weight - 10% 6

Our Verdict

The Petzl Bug is a very comfortable climbing pack that is at (or just below) average in most other respects. It's easy to pack for its volume and does the best job carrying the rope of any pack in the review. However, some other features are missing or incomplete. It's relatively substantial in weight, but not made of particularly durable materials. That being said we still think it's a worthy choice, especially if it fits you well.


Compare to Similar Products

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This Product
Petzl Bug
Awards  Editors' Choice Award    
Price $63.88 at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers		$99.00 at REI
Compare at 2 sellers		$80 List$50.96 at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers		$79.95 at Amazon
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Star Rating
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Pros Comfortable, easy to packLight, stylish, comfortable, versatileSimple, great zippered pocket, streamlinedDurable, sleek, stylishLight, great features, roomy
Cons Heavy, below average durability, no emergency whistleExpensive, no emergency whistleLimited attachment points, easy to drop stuffUncomfortable shoulder straps, no external carrying optionsFragile, not super versatile
Bottom Line Comfortable but at or below average in most other ways.This light and comfortable pack is an expensive but durable choice for multi-pitch climbing.This simple pack does what you need with nothing extra.This classic is still going strong, though you cannot carry anything on the outside of the pack.This small climbing pack is optimized for alpine action.
Rating Categories Petzl Bug Patagonia Linked Pack 18L The North Face Route Rocket Black Diamond Bullet Black Diamond Blitz 20
Comfort (25%)
10
0
8
10
0
8
10
0
7
10
0
6
10
0
7
Climbing Utility (25%)
10
0
8
10
0
9
10
0
7
10
0
7
10
0
8
Durability (20%)
10
0
5
10
0
8
10
0
6
10
0
7
10
0
3
Versatility (20%)
10
0
7
10
0
8
10
0
6
10
0
6
10
0
6
Weight (10%)
10
0
6
10
0
5
10
0
6
10
0
6
10
0
7
Specs Petzl Bug Patagonia Linked... The North Face... Black Diamond Bullet Black Diamond...
Capacity (Liters) 18 18 16 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 400d nylon 940D Cordura Ballistic nylon 420D nylon 420d nylon, 1260d ballistic nylon Dynex (210d + PE 200d)
Whistle? No No Yes Yes No
Accessory Pockets? One external zip, one external open, one internal zip One external zip, one internal zip One external zip One external zip, one internal zip One external zip, one internal zip
Outside Carry Options? Top strap, one daisy chain Top carrying handles, 2 external daisy chains External daisy chains No Top strap, ice axe attachments
Hip Belt Yes Yes, removable Yes, removable 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 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


The Bug in action on Yak Peak.
The Bug in action on Yak Peak.

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.

If a climbing pack's main compartment is closed by a zipper it should be a big burly one (Bullet left) or at least covered by a flap (Bug center). The Hueco 20 (right) has the smallest and weakest zipper.
If a climbing pack's main compartment is closed by a zipper it should be a big burly one (Bullet, left) or at least covered by a flap (Bug, center). The Hueco 20 (right) has the smallest and weakest zipper.

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).

Without a clip or loop to secure the top of a hydration bladder it can flop around or get squished and cut off water flow.
Without a clip or loop to secure the top of a hydration bladder, it can flop around or get squished and cut off 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.

On the approach with half the rack helmet and 70m rope.
On the approach with half the rack, helmet and 70m rope.

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.

The three most comfortable packs in our test: the Creek 20 Linked and Bug (L-R). They were chosen for their comfort both on the trail and on the climb.
The three most comfortable packs in our test: the Creek 20, Linked, and Bug (L-R). They were chosen for their comfort both on the trail and on the climb.

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.

When climbing with the Bug our testers rarely noticed we had it on.
When climbing with the Bug our testers rarely noticed we had it on.


— Ian McEleney