Black Diamond Zion Haul Bag Review
Our Verdict
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Black Diamond Zion Haul Bag | |||||
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Awards | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |
Price | $300 List $256.00 at Amazon | $249.95 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $190 List Check Price at Backcountry | $250 List $249.95 at Amazon | $70 List $65.77 at Amazon |
Overall Score ![]() |
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Star Rating | |||||
Pros | Comfortable shoulder straps, easy to get in and out of | Bomber, great size, comfy, one of the most waterproof | Great closure, bomber, great as a crag pack | Durable, comfortable, water-tight closure, lots of volume | Lightweight, can haul outside of haulbag, no assembly required |
Cons | No waterproof closure, not as burly as other bags | Takes some time to get in and out of top | Expensive | Hard to access the bottom, takes some time to get in and out of the top of the bag | Expensive, not completely air-tight |
Bottom Line | While it isn't as burly as some, it offers average performance and is comfortable | Our favorite haul bag for any climbing adventure you can dream up | One of the best haul bags that can be purchased in this volume | This big, burly bag is one of our favorites for carrying large loads | The best off-the-shelf poop tube we know of |
Rating Categories | Black Diamond Zion... | Metolius Half Dome... | Metolius Quarter Dome | Metolius El Cap Hau... | Metolius Waste Case |
Durability/Material (40%) | |||||
Capacity (10%) | |||||
Waterproofness (10%) | |||||
Closure systems/Ease of Access (20%) | |||||
Carrying/Suspension System (20%) | |||||
Specs | Black Diamond Zion... | Metolius Half Dome... | Metolius Quarter Dome | Metolius El Cap Hau... | Metolius Waste Case |
Volume (cu inches) | 8848 | 7600 | 4200 | 9600 | 500 |
Weight | 9 lb 8 oz | 7 lb 7 oz | 5 lb 1 oz | 8 lb | 10.6 oz |
Main container material | 37 oz vinyl-laminated nylon | Durathane | Durathane | Durathane | Durathane |
Closure material | 840 Denier ripstop | Ballistic nylon | Ballistic nylon | Ballistic nylon | Ballistic nylon |
Sewn or welded seam | Sewn | Welded | Welded | Welded | Welded |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Likes
This has one of the best carrying systems. The waist belt and shoulder straps are among the comfiest. They also tuck away conveniently and have a unique quick-release function. This means you can't lose the straps and can more easily transition from haul bag mode to backpack mode. This is especially helpful on routes with slabby finishes or ledge traverses like Lurking Fear on El Capitan.
While the fact that there is no waterproof closure is overall a BIG downside in a storm, it does mean it is pretty easy to access stuff. By comparison, the Metolius El Cap Haul Bag has a more waterproof closure that makes it a little harder to get in and out of. We have never been in a serious storm and so overall we don't mind the BD closure system. However, anyone who has been in a serious storm can tell you how much the best waterproof gear available is GOLD!
Dislikes
The closure system is not waterproof or very burly. The drawstring on the one we have used the most eventually broke. In addition, there are no beefy compression straps to use when the bag is overloaded. This bag is durable, but not nearly as durable as a urethane bag like the Metolius or Yates.
A minor dislike: it is hard to clip stuff underneath the bag. The place for your biner is too small whereas most bags have big points to which you can clip multiple biners.
Value
This is a decently priced bag and, if you get it on sale, it is a steal. That said, the Metolius bags are cheaper and we liked them a bit better.
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