Mammut Crag Review
Cons: Awkward to pack with too little or too much gear, lacks adjustability
Manufacturer: Mammut
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Mammut Crag | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  | |||
| Price | $70 List | $59.95 at Amazon | $79.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $47 List | $37.95 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score  |
|||||
| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Large carrying capacity, comfortable backpack straps, padded back panel | Large removable tarp, comfortable backpack straps, useful compression straps | Sleek design, padded laptop sleeve, nice tarp | Works as a cragging pack, padded shoulder straps are suprisingly comfortable, big tarp, nice zippered pocket | Easy to roll up rope, big tarp, compressible |
| Cons | Awkward to pack with too little or too much gear, lacks adjustability | Thin fabric, not as durable as other models | Expensive, not great outdoors, single carrying strap | Packability | No smaller pockets, not as nice to carry for long distances |
| Bottom Line | The Crag is a well-padded bag with plenty of space for a full day of cragging | Excellent rope bag for cragging and long approaches | Perfect for those who only climb indoors | The Speedster does its job as a rope bag well, while also functioning as a basic small cragging pack | An improved version of an older version of a rope bag, with a much larger tarp |
| Rating Categories | Mammut Crag | DMM Classic | Petzl Kab | Metolius Speedster | Metolius Ropemaster HC |
| Packability (30%) | |||||
| Carrying Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Rope Protection (25%) | |||||
| Ease Of Use (20%) | |||||
| Specs | Mammut Crag | DMM Classic | Petzl Kab | Metolius Speedster | Metolius... |
| Bag Design | Burrito | Burrito | Funnel | Funnel | Burrito |
| Tarp size (inches) | 60" x 48" | 43" x 51" | 55" x 20" (trapezoidal shape) | 52" x 58" | 52" x 58" |
| Pockets | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| # of shoulder straps | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Compression Straps | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Metal or plastic buckles | Plastic | Plastic | Metal | None | Metal |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Performance Comparison
Packability
The Crag is among the most packable rope bags that we tested. It has a volume of 33 liters, and we were able to fit plenty of gear in it for a day of climbing. In addition to a rope, we comfortably fit a harness, shoes, quickdraws, snacks, and a small water bottle. Few rope bags have this much space, and the Crag is a good option if you like to spend full days cragging or have an 80-meter rope. Despite having plenty of space, the roll closure of the Crag isn't great for effectively reducing unfilled space and can be tedious if the pack is filled to the brim and you don't have space to roll it at least once. This is the main downside when it comes to packability, but when filled appropriately, the Crag is easy to close and unpack.
Carrying Comfort
With supple backpack straps and a fully padded back panel, the Crag is one of the most comfortable packs to carry for any approach. The straps adjust from the bottom, resembling a basic school bag. For climbers with smaller torsos, it can feel a bit too large since the straps don't tighten down as much as some other models that we tested. The cushioned back pad is unique and saves you from the poking pain of any hard objects that might be in the pack.
Rope Protection
The Crag is constructed from durable fabric and the roll closure is secure as long as it is folded over itself at least once. Its tarp is relatively small compared to some comparably-priced bags with only 48" x 60" of ground coverage. This is still large enough to keep a 70-meter rope off the ground but doesn't offer much of a buffer if the rope or tarp is shifted while you belay.
Ease of Use
The Crag is one of the most user-friendly rope bags that we tested. The most unique aspect of the Crag is its roll closure. Our testers liked this closure system in testing but did find it to be finicky when the pack was either too full or close to empty. It has a convenient zippered pouch for small valuables, which saves you from losing your keys inside its large main compartment. The removable tarp is a nice feature, and we liked using the main pack as a bucket to store gear while we moved the tarp around between climbs while cragging.
Value
The Crag is one of the most expensive models that we tested, but some handy features justify its high price. If you're on a budget, there are better options, but if you seek a bag with tons of space and comfortable carrying features, the Crag is tough to beat. There are several comparable smaller models at lower prices, but few have as much padding as the Mammut Crag.
Conclusion
If you want to pack everything needed for a day of climbing outside into one bag, then the Mammut Crag is a great option. Its large pack and comfortable padding make it a great choice for long approaches, but these features are not useful if you mostly climb indoors. Our testers like the roll-top closure but didn't find it to pack down as nicely as other models with compression straps. Overall this is a well-designed bag for climbing outdoors.
— Steven Tata