Owner Review:  Black Diamond Slide Daypack

Review date:  April 13, 2005

Personal biographical information

Name:  Richard Christiana

Age:  24

Gender:  Male

Height:  5’ 11” (180 cm)

Weight:  165 lbs (74.8 kg)

Email address:  splitchard@yahoo.com

City, state, country:  New Paltz, New York, USA

Backpacking background:  My first experiences were short weekend trips with a heavy pack over 40 lbs (18 kg) in the Adirondack Mountains of New York (NY).  Since then I have had the opportunity to embark on longer backpacking excursions lasting up to two weeks, and I have become a subscriber to the remarkable benefits of ultra lightweight backpacking.  I bring only essentials such as an oversized daypack with a tarp and a sleeping bag inside.  My usual pack weight is about 20-25 lbs (9-11 kg) during the summer and 30-35 lbs (14-16 kg) during the winter.  I have worked as an outdoor guide where I lead backpacking, canoeing, and rock climbing trips.

Product information

Manufacturer:  Black Diamond Equipment

Year of manufacture:  2003

Manufacturer web site:  http://bdel.com

Listed weight:  2 lbs 4 oz (1.02 kg)

Weight as delivered:  2 lbs 4 oz (1.02 kg) including the extra snowboard carrying strap

Volume:  20 L (1200 cu in)

MSRP:  $79 US

Features:

1. Made of 420 denier Rip-Stop Nylon
2. Padded back panel
3. Full suspension system with sternum, load lifter, and waist belt stabilizer straps
4. Waist belt and shoulder straps are fully padded and consist of a moisture wicking mesh construction
5. Clamshell zipper
6. Two outer accessory straps are located on both sides of the pack
7. Two ice axe loops that can easily accommodate any size ice axes
8. Inside slots on both sides of pack for shovel poles
9. Side ski holders and vertical-carry snowboard strap
10. Includes a hydration sleeve located next to the back that can accommodate up to a 3 L (3.2 qt) reservoir
11. Hydration tube slot is located on top of pack
12. Easy-to-access pouch for ski skins on top of pack
13. Large expandable pocket on front of pack with a mesh water drainage system on the bottom

Field information

Locations used:  I have had this pack for two years and have used it for winter mountaineering hikes and peakbagging trips in the Adirondack and Catskill Mountains of New York as well as for daylong ice climbing trips.  I have also used this pack to carry gear on multi-pitch rock climbs in the Shawangunk Mountains of New York.

Description of location:  Rough trails, mountainous terrain, steep cliff face, with altitudes from 1,000 ft to 5,500 ft (300 m to 1,700 m).

Weather conditions:  Most everything from rain, sleet, sun, and snow.  Temperatures of use range from –20 F to 90 F (-29 C to 32 C).

Comments:  The Slide pack has performed well in all of the seasons and weather conditions in which I have used it.  It has performed especially well in colder weather pursuits.  I have used the pack in heavy rain and everything inside the pack stayed dry.  It carries just enough gear for a daylong mountaineering trip.  While the back panel on the Slide does a good job of wicking moisture away from my back, I have found it to be a tad bit too heavy and hot on the back for the scorching heat of mid-summer hiking (although all I usually need for summer day hikes are small hip packs that can hold water bottles).  The reason for the weight is the beefy suspension system that is incorporated for carrying heavy loads such as snowboards and skis.  This is not as much of an issue in the fall, spring, and especially the winter since packing heavier gear is usually necessary and the comfy padded waist belt and shoulder straps more than compensate for the weight of the pack.  When carrying heavy loads in excess of 20 lbs (9 kg), this pack is extremely comfortable.  I have even been able to pack enough gear for an overnight trip.

The features on this pack are excellent and incredibly well thought out.  The hydration sleeve perfectly holds a 3 L (3.2 qt) water reservoir and the tube hole on the top of the pack is wide enough to fit any size hydration tube and mouthpiece.  The hydration sleeve does a good job of keeping water from the reservoir from leaking through to my other gear.  On the top of the pack there is a pocket that I have found great for holding items that I want to be able to get at quickly such as food and a knife.  The zipper on this pocket is also seam sealed for water resistance.  The ice axe loops easily hold ice axes of any size or shape or can also hold trekking poles.  All of the extra straps on the outside of the pack are positioned very well and are made very strong.  While I haven’t strapped a snowboard or skis to the pack, I have strapped snowshoes using the straps meant for the snowboard.  There was minimal to no shifting of the load when hiking.  The front pouch is expandable and can hold a rain jacket, helmet, avalanche shovel, or water bottle.  It is also meshed on the bottom to allow water drainage from wet clothes or gear.  The overall durability of this pack is without a doubt exceptional.  I have really given this pack a beating while I have owned it and it has pulled through completely unscathed.

When using the Slide pack while multi-pitch rock climbing it has been outstanding.  Even though it is not big enough to carry all of my gear and ropes to the crag, it is great for bringing extra gear like hiking shoes, water bottles, and food with me while climbing.  The slim design of the pack does not hamper movement at all, allowing me to reach around and grab carabiners off of my harness and also to dip my hands in my chalk bag.

A quick note:  The older style Slide pack that is reviewed here is also known as the Switchback, although they are the same exact pack.  Black Diamond updated the Slide pack for their 2005 line.

Summary:  The Slide is a great daypack for fall, winter, and spring use.  It can be used for day hiking, rock climbing, snowboarding, and alpine mountaineering.

Pros:

-         The durability of the pack is by far the best feature.

-         It is extremely versatile.

-         The carrying capacity is perfect for most day long adventures.

-         The ability of the pack to hold heavy loads comfortably.

-         The size of the pack is not restrictive.

Cons:

-         My biggest complaint about the pack is that it is a little on the heavy side for light summer day hikes.

-         It would be nice if it had a better way of holding a hydration tube on the shoulder straps so that access to the mouthpiece would be easier.

-         The main compartment zipper should be seam sealed by the manufacturer to aid in water resistance.