Mountaineering and Alpine climbing require special gear such as backpacks. Since 2012, for general mountaineering, winter mountaineering or multipitch climbs I have been using as a backpack the Simond Alpinism 22.

The Simond Alpinism 22 is designed for climbers, mountaineers and Ski touring use for day-long routes. It is a compact, sturdy, all-purpose bag. Its shape and volume make it suitable for all builds and lets to carry all the required gear for a day-long hike.

 

I have been using this backpack on many simple hiking day trips, but also on some demanding general mountaineering, winter mountaineering or multipitch climbs such as:

• Diaberis Pothos | Trad Climbing at the top of Profitis Elias – Asini
• Monsters of the Wind | Climbing the South-West Ridge of Mount Ortholithi
• Climbing the Ridge of Horned Owl – Mount Pateras (Kopsi Boufou)
• Climbing in Meteora – Pillar of Rain – Doupiani Rock
• Climbing in Meteora – Sudostwand Doupiani – Southeast Wall – Plaka
• Climbing in Meteora – Doupiani Rock – Pantocrator’s Ridge (Ostkante/East Ridge)
• Trad Climbing in Varasova
• Multi-pitch climb on Kokkinovrachos – Leonidio – Mignonette
• Mixed and Alpine Climbing in Vardousia Mountain | Aris II 2 M2 – 400m.
• Alpine Climb in Gerontovrachos – Parnassos

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Materials, Design and Features

The Simond Alpinism 22 is a well designed product and the foam-padded back panel with honeycomb mesh provides just enough ventilation to part of back in contact with bag to reduce perspiration. Though, due to the fact this is an old backpack, the ventilation is not enough with today’s standards. The good thing is that the Simond Alpinism 22 is lined with thin structure made of compact foam making it stabler when carrying load.

Padded and mesh lined ergonomic shoulder strap, which fits good enough the contours of shoulders with fixed load adjuster straps. A feature I particularly like is the thumb loop straps to relieve the bag weight on shoulders. Height- and width-adjustable chest strap to prevent the straps from slipping off the shoulders. Adjustable waist strap for better comfort that can be stored in the back if not used.

Side compression straps reduce the volume of the unused pack. There is also a daisy chain that at the front of the pack to carry crampons for example. The Simond Alpinism 22 also provides a front ski loop system that I personally never used and therefore sometimes it was bothering me. There is only one Ice axe loop and buckle and in order to carry my two Petzl Quarks, I needed to do some intervention on the outside of the backpacl.

In addition, The Simond Alpinism 22 has a compartment for hydration pack inside the bag.

 

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Additional features

The Simond Alpinism 22 has a 26 x 22 cm external zipped front pocket for accessories such as phone, map, GPS and a very useful zipped inside pocket for keys, wallet, ID. In case one is not carrying a hydration bladder, then there is also a large inner pocket in order to store a guidebook and/or even a tablet.

The backpack opens with a 2-way zip. Cord zips with a thermosealed plastic cover to avoid clinking metal zippers.

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Fit & Comfort

The Simond Alpinism 22 is designed in order to provide comfort and it is very comfortable indeed. I never felt uncomfortable by using this backpack, though, in spring and summer time, I can feel that there is lack of ventilation between my back and the backpack. The waist belt  serves to keep the pack tight against you when you’re climbing rather than to offload any weight from your shoulders.

With modern days backpacks, this backpack is certainly lacking fast accessibility within the internal part of the pack and the front zipped pocket is not very easy to use if the backpack is fully loaded.

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Packability & Transportation

The Simond Alpinism 22 due to the materials used and the way is manufactured can not be packed in small in order to transport it within another backpack. Having said that, I have personally squeezed it in my Lowe Alpine Mountain Attack and my Lowe Alpine Cholatse II several times.

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Bottom Line

The Simond Alpinism 22 is a great value for money, compact, sturdy, all-purpose backpack. Its shape and volume make it suitable for all builds and lets to carry all the required gear for a day-long hike. It is very durable and is highly recommend it as a second hand backpack. It has served me for the last 8 years and I have just replaced it with a North Face Verto 27 – Summit Series backpack.

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Would you like to see more gear reviews?

If you liked this review, don’t forget to check out other gear reviews on the Olympus Mountaineering Blog on the link bellow:

• Olympus Mountaineering Gear Reviews

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Disclosure: Product(s) discussed in this article were purchased by Olympus Mountaineering from a retailer. I do not accept compensation or donated product in exchange for media placement or product review coverage.