It’s the winter solstice in Southcentral Alaska, and I solely have 5 hours of daylight. As I gained the summit ridge, it’s 2 p.m., and the solar is already beginning to dip under the horizon. Needing to maneuver quick to get again down earlier than darkish, I connected my skis to my pack with out eradicating them and pounded up the boot observe to make the summit. I reached the highest simply as nightfall arrived, eliminated my skis, and transitioned in seconds.
I pulled my hat and gloves from the zippered shoulder straps and simply grabbed my down layer from the aspect zip of my Black Diamond Cirque 25 pack. I’m reminded how a lot of a distinction streamlined gear makes when time is proscribed. When there’s solely a handful of daylight, the Cirque 25 makes each second rely on quick and light-weight missions.
I skied all the way down to the parking zone and made it again simply in time for darkish.
In brief: The Black Diamond Cirque is a light-weight, purpose-built ski pack for mild and quick missions in technical terrain. Sufficiently small for use for ski mountaineering races, but with sufficient quantity for backcountry journeys, it strikes a stability between an ultralight vest-style pack and a heavy-duty backcountry backpack. For these whose package is small and light-weight, the Cirque 25 is certain to ship top-notch efficiency with not one of the additional weight.
If you happen to’re looking for backcountry ski packs, try GearJunkie’s information to the Finest Backcountry Ski Packs.
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Light-weight design -
Adjustable quantity with roll-top closure -
Pockets on shoulder straps -
Detachable waistbelt -
On-the-go diagonal ski carry system
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Simply overburdened -
Shoulder straps will not be as snug as some
Black Diamond Cirque 25 Backpack Overview
Whereas lengthy cherished by runners and ski mountaineer racers, the vest-style pack has been sluggish to catch on within the backcountry ski world. With its 2020 Cirque 22 Ski Vest, Black Diamond took an preliminary stab at filling this area of interest.
With the newly launched Cirque 25, Black Diamond sought to make a pack for these devoted to the quick and light-weight type whereas nonetheless being totally featured for security and performance within the backcountry.
Pack Structure and Design
After I first noticed the Cirque 25, the shoulder straps on the entrance instantly caught my eye. Borrowing the design of operating vests, this pack makes use of pockets on every shoulder strap. They’re nice for stowing quick-access gadgets like hats, gloves, snacks, or a small water bottle.
That system is well loosened or tightened with a toggle to accommodate different-sized torsos. Tie a knot within the wire to maintain the sizing safe. A webbing waist belt additional secures the pack to the physique. If utilizing the pack with a smaller load, the waist belt is detachable to streamline the pack additional.
The inside is well accessible with a aspect zipper that runs vertically virtually the total size of the pack. That is nice for shortly accessing a layer or water bottle with out having to open up the entire pack.
The primary compartment makes use of a roll-top. That design makes the pack able to carrying a variety of volumes. Merely roll up or unroll the highest to make the pack smaller or greater. Marketed as 25L, I discovered that this pack has a quantity a lot nearer to 30 or 35 L. Significantly when unrolled to its largest dimension, it might match loads. (Simply be aware of how a lot it weighs and the way stuffed it will get.)
The devoted avalanche pocket is accessed from the again of the pack. I simply match my shovel and probe on this zippered pocket and even had room for extra gadgets. A detachable helmet carry system on the again of the pack held my helmet securely in place on the pack when not in use.
Inside Structure
The within of the Black Diamond Cirque 25 pack is lined with a purple material. That means that you can simply discover gadgets inside, avoiding the “black gap” impact. A zippered inside pocket is nice for snacks and comes with a clip for automobile keys.
The Black Diamond Cirque 25 is split with a detachable inside divider. That is nice for stowing issues like skins and crampons, that are then accessed from the exterior aspect zip. Take away the divider for one bigger principal compartment.
Options
Diagonal Ski Carry
For individuals who rely their seconds on the transition from skinning to the boot pack, the diagonal ski carry is a fast and handy technique to connect the skis to the pack with out shedding an excessive amount of time. Each the highest strap and the underside loop are adjustable to permit use for different-width skis.
Detachable Essential Compartment Divider
Divide up the primary compartment with a skinny but strong divider. This enables for skins, crampons, and different quick-access necessities to be saved on the backside, the place they’re simply accessible because of the aspect zip. If you happen to favor one giant compartment, take away the divider for one steady space.
Exterior Avalanche Pocket
A necessary for any backcountry ski backpack, the zippered avalanche pocket is giant sufficient to simply match a shovel and probe. A riveted gap on the backside lets out melted snow and is nice for hang-drying the pack after an extended day within the snow.
Exterior Entry Aspect Zip
Due to the vertical zipper on the proper aspect of the pack, I used to be capable of shortly entry the primary compartment with out unrolling the highest. That is nice for grabbing fast gadgets like a layer or water bottle and can be utilized with out taking the pack off.
PickPocket Piolet Carry System
The PickPocket piolet carry system is easy and safe. It might probably carry two ice axes. Small bungees safe the shaft, and the picks slide right into a bolstered slot.
Within the Discipline
I examined the Cirque 25 on day journeys in three mountain ranges in Southcentral Alaska: The Talkeetna, Chugach, and Kenai. My first time utilizing the pack was on an after-work sizzling lap of my native backcountry spot within the Entrance Vary of the Chugach.
The pack’s low quantity was nice for fast outings like that one. I solely wanted just a few layers and my avalanche security gear to be out for an hour or two. With only a few gadgets within the pack, it rode comfortably and match snugly to the physique.
As soon as I had turn into extra acquainted with the pack, I took it out on a multi-summit ski tour within the Talkeetna Vary. I deliberately loaded the pack flippantly. Nonetheless, that day inevitably required extra weight in comparison with my earlier outings after I wore it for fast after-work laps.
I used to be impressed with the Cirque 25’s potential to comfortably maintain a complete day’s price of meals and equipment. Nonetheless, when totally loaded, the higher parts of the shoulder strap felt like they needed to slide off my shoulders. With a second sternum strap, a function its predecessor, the Cirque 22, had, a few of that feeling might be alleviated.
The place I felt just like the Cirque 25 lastly met its restrict was on a chilly day in Turnagain Go. I wanted extra gear by way of weight and quantity than I had beforehand. With a number of pairs of gloves, a thermos, and a heavyweight down jacket to assist beat back unfavorable double-digit temps, the Cirque 25 felt overburdened. The shoulder strap dug into my shoulders uncomfortably, and the webbing waist strap did little to alleviate the burden.
What I Liked
I cherished the Cirque 25’s streamlined design whereas nonetheless sustaining full backcountry performance. It’s mild sufficient for fast missions but technically oriented to meet all my wants within the backcountry.
I additionally actually like that it’s giant sufficient to suit my necessities and sufficiently small to really feel unencumbered whereas snowboarding. The shoulder strap pockets are nice for small necessities, and the vertical aspect zip makes accessing gadgets straightforward with out eradicating the pack. It’s an amazing pack for these needing on-the-go performance with out eradicating it from the physique.
Room for Enchancment
The most important challenges the Cirque 25 faces are when crammed to its most weight and capability. It’s simply overwhelmed by something greater than 10 to fifteen kilos. The shoulder straps are slim and, if overburdened, dig into the shoulders uncomfortably.
Sadly, the shoulder strap pockets will not be fairly giant sufficient to comfortably accommodate wider gadgets like a cellphone or thick gloves. When the pack was full, and gadgets had been within the shoulder strap pockets, I felt gadgets digging into my arms and shoulders. And as talked about, I additionally discovered myself wishing for a second sternum strap to maintain the higher portion of the shoulder straps secured extra snugly to the physique.
When the pack is full, the on-the-go diagonal ski carry is tough to make use of whereas carrying the Cirque 25. The physique of the pack extends too far out for safe attachment with out eradicating the pack.
On the expense of its load-bearing capabilities, it maintains some options of a vest, like shoulder strap pockets and a minimally supportive waist belt. With just a little extra assist, the Cirque 25 may turn into a extra snug pack to hold with a heavier load.
Moreover, placing skis on the pack utilizing the on-the-go system was almost unimaginable whereas the pack was full, requiring taking it off to get the skis located in probably the most snug place.
Conclusion
The Cirque 25 shortly turned my go-to day pack for light-weight missions in Alaska’s Chugach and Talkeetna Mountains. As a self-proclaimed light-weight geek and lover of all issues ultralight, I fell in love with its streamlined design and minimal weight.
The Black Diamond Cirque 25 is the right pack for individuals who pack mild and transfer quick. Whereas it could lack the amount and heavy load-bearing capability of a extra strong pack, it’s nice for fast outings or quick and light-weight backcountry days. Nonetheless, this isn’t the pack to decide on for multiday outings or these requiring plenty of gear, as its low quantity limits the quantity of carrying house.
Just a few small design quirks like slim shoulder straps and a wanted second sternum strap detract from the consolation underneath load. Regardless, the Cirque 25 is a superb choice for these carrying mild masses for fast outings within the backcountry.
For anybody within the path operating or mountain sports activities world, the vest-style pack is shortly changing into a ubiquitous piece of my touring gear. The entrance entry pockets make accessing important gadgets straightforward, and the close-to-the-body design minimizes bounce and maintains a streamlined profile.
