GEAR PATROL: The 14 Best Knives, Outdoor Garments and Adventure Products of 2023
Crux 40
SKU: 3-11140-1
DESIGNED FOR: Ski Mountaineering
GOOD FOR: Ski Touring, Professional Use
WEIGHT: 44.1oz | 1250g (Medium)
PRIMARY FEATURE SUMMARY
With a clever, zippered back panel entry to reduce the risk of lost gear on challenging pitches, this ski mountaineering pack prioritizes access to technical tools in high-exposure environments. Primary features include:
- Internal avalanche tool pockets for optimal security
- Front and rear haul loops/anchor points
- Removable hip belt w/ right gear loop and left zippered pocket
- Drawstring extension collar with removable lid
- Low profile side pockets for pickets and wands
- Front stretch mesh pocket for quick storage
- Accommodates A-frame and diagonal ski carry
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WHY CHOOSE THE CRUX 40?
WHY CHOOSE THE CRUX 40?
THINK BIG, PLAY IT SAFE
Innovative storage designs accommodate a variety of whatever ice tools and avalanche safety equipment you need for the routes you want to tackle
RIGHT BACKATCHA
The smart back panel opening lets you set down your pack and easily reach water or gear you need without having to dig around for it on steep, sketchy inclines
WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH
It's what you signed up for. With the unparalleled durability of fully woven Dyneema®, the Crux 40 is ready to deal
FEATURES
SPECS & DIMENSIONS
- MaterialsDCHW, DCH150, DCH50, 100d Gridstop with Dyneema®, 210d Nylon, Dyneema® Stretch Mesh UL
- Internal Volume40L + 15L
- Weight44.1oz | 1250g *Average weight based on size Medium
- Load Capacity50lbs
- Back Width11.0" | 27.9cm
- Height35.0" | 88.9cm
- Top Circumference38.0" | 96.5cm
- Bottom Circumference28.0" | 71.1cm
- Made InMexico
WHY CHOOSE THE CRUX 40?
THINK BIG, PLAY IT SAFE
Innovative storage designs accommodate a variety of whatever ice tools and avalanche safety equipment you need for the routes you want to tackle
RIGHT BACKATCHA
The smart back panel opening lets you set down your pack and easily reach water or gear you need without having to dig around for it on steep, sketchy inclines
WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH
It's what you signed up for. With the unparalleled durability of fully woven Dyneema®, the Crux 40 is ready to deal
Features
Product Walkthrough | Crux 40
USE IT WITH
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Product Reviews and Questions
Great Ski Mountaineering Pack
I’ve been out skiing on a couple volcanoes with the pack. My initial impressions weren’t great, but I’ve since really been enjoying the pack.
Pros:
- Suspension: the back panel provides much better load transfer directly to the top of the glutes than previous HMG packs I’ve owned. The pack is comfy for extended periods of time in the 30-40lb range.
- Burly side and bottom material. Getting the woven Dyneema material is one of the primary reasons to get this pack.
- Mesh external pocket is useful for wet skins.
- Back panel access is the best option when loaded up with gear, carrying your skis and boots on your pack.
- Weight distribution while skiing is great. Pack moves with you while you ski.
Con:
- Quality control: Mostly minor things. The cordlocks on the ice axe attachments were defective. Seemed like they had no internal spring. Easy enough to replace and I already had extras lying around. All the orange cord pull tabs had to be retied after they came undone within a few days.
- Brain is the worse part of the pack. G-hooks are used to attach the brain to the pack. You need tension on the hooks or they slide right off. However, even with the pack completely full, the brain is too big to tension tight, so the hooks constantly come loose. The only way to tighten the hooks is to clip them further down on the daisy chains, but this isn’t possible with a diagonal carry. You’d need to stuff the pack beyond the outer drawstring cinch for the brain to tension.
- Back panel…
Awesome backpack, but…
I’ve been looking for a backpack to replace my pack that has served me well in the backcountry for over 15 years. And after failed purchases of two other brands, I’m pleased to say that I finally found it…the Crux 40! It’s internal frame shape comfortably hugs my back, the back panel entry is very convenient for easy access, well-designed ice axe holders allow for quick release, the hip pocket is great for small tools/energy snacks, separate shovel/handle/probe sleeves eliminate annoying congestion in the pack, and the 40L allows me to easily carry all my skimo gear, with plenty of extra room, relative to my old 30L pack. So here’s the “but”…why no offering for a helmet holder? I chose to opt for a Blue Ice helmet holder which easily attaches to the daisy chain loops. So I recommend buying one of the several compatible helmet holders that are sold separately, as a great solution!
Best Pack
This pack checks all the boxes. I rode with this all season in the backcountry around CO. It carried everything I needed, plus extra space. Come spring time, that extra was able to fit all the crampons, ropes and extra food I needed for those long missions. The outside ice axe carry saved me on a boot pack where I wanted my axes half way up. Without having to take the bag off, just reached around and unclipped and they were available. I love this pack. Wish it had a better place for my BCA radio, but keep the unit in with my shovel handle works enough. Can't say enough good things about this pack. Only wish it came in black!!
Great, but…
I love the pack for backcountry skiing, but I find it hard to believe that you don’t sell a specific-compatible helmet holder as an accessory, similar to many other pack vendors…Arva, Blue Ice, Deuter, Mammut, Arcteryx, Ortovox, Millet, etc. With all the attention given to the detailed features of the Crux 40, how did you miss that one? It would be very to design, and have it attach to the daisy chain loops.
WTF
Best pack ever!