Each climber value their salt (or chalk) is aware of the significance of a trusty chalk bag. That can assist you select, Aidan checked out Cotopaxi’s Halcon Chalk Bag – Del Día and the Ion Light-weight Chalk Bag from Arc’teryx.
Chalk is reasonable – however that’s not at all times the case for chalk luggage, particularly whenever you’re getting high-performance supplies and sustainability credentials concerned. Earlier than shelling out your hard-earned {dollars} on a brand new powder keg (does anybody else name them that?) I put two of the most recent fashions by the ringer.
In a single nook, the Arc’teryx Ion Light-weight Chalk Bag, and within the different, the Cotopaxi Halcon Chalk Bag – Del Día. Every bag labored extra time on a protracted, sweaty multi-pitch route within the Blue Mountains. So how’d they maintain up?
How did I evaluation these chalk luggage?
For anybody , the mountain climbing route in query was Lodge California (22) at Pearces Move. 330 metres of sustained climbing throughout 10 pitches, climbed on nothing lower than a 31°C day effectively into the summer time season. So it’s secure to say that well-chalked fingers had been one thing of an important right here.
Arc’teryx Ion Light-weight (LT) Chalk Bag
For almost all of the day, I donned Arc’teryx’s new Ion Light-weight Chalk Bag. It’s a model that wants no introduction (though a pronunciation information wouldn’t go astray), and right here they’ve produced a no-nonsense bag match for normal climbing situations.
Weighing in at 75g, it’s additionally one of many lighter choices out there earlier than verging into ultra-light territory (at which level you’re risking a tear over a reasonably arbitrary gear flex).
Weight: 75g
Materials: 100 denier SD Cordura nylon
Dimensions: 22 x 13.5 x 14cm
RRP: $69.95
Cotopaxi Halcon Chalk Bag – Del Día
When you’re keen to splurge on an additional 10g, Cotopaxi’s Halcon Del Día chalk bag affords a extra vibrant and feature-heavy different. We’re speaking zipper pocket, elasticated outer compartment, and a fleece-lined inside. Every unit within the Del Día sequence can also be distinctive, with a one-of-a-kind mixture of colors reflecting the completely different repurposed materials picked throughout the manufacturing course of. Extra on the sustainability stuff later.
Weight: 85g
Materials: Repurposed nylon cloth
Dimensions: 18 x 10 x 10 cm
RRP: $49.99
Chalk Bag Options
As talked about above, the Arc’teryx Ion LT bag has a streamlined design, emphasising sturdiness and efficiency over further options. The Cordura cloth is a Siliconized 100d dobby-weave polyester, recognized for its energy, water resistance, and low weight. The elasticated drawstring, brush holder, and waistband all carry out effectively.
The Cotopaxi chalk bag is a chunkier product, owing to its further bells and whistles. I’m certain a sure breed of gnarled trad climber would scoff on the bottom zipper pocket, however I’m admittedly a sucker for this stuff and have used an analogous chalk bag for the final three years (that pocket is ideal for storing my cellphone throughout climbs).
The highest of the bag additionally has a extra sturdy really feel to it, owing to the structured rim. All this stuff add weight (albeit not a lot), and finally come down to private desire.
‘Pucker Factor’
I assumed this side wanted its personal paragraph. For lack of a greater time period (and acknowledging there have been worse ones), a chalk bag’s ‘pucker factor’ at all times strikes me as a vital criterion. This refers back to the diploma to which the highest types a good seal to forestall the contents from spilling out (usually both in your bag or throughout a walk-in).
The Arc’teryx takes the cake on this division – its distinctive spiral design creates a pucker tighter than a duck’s behind. The Cotopaxi isn’t far behind however might succumb to a small quantity of rare chalk leakage, as most luggage invariably do.
Consolation
The liner of every bag was mushy to the contact, with easy-to-use drawstrings and waist straps to hold the bag in the proper place. I personally want a carabiner affixing the bag to my harness, which additionally works effectively with the design of every one.
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Sustainability
Each chalk luggage have accomplished a very good job right here. The Cordura nylon within the Arc’teryx Ion LT bag is made from recycled supplies, additionally assembly the bluesign® Authorized Supplies standards for accountable manufacturing.
Cotopaxi does go a bit additional on this division, emphasising the precept of ‘reusability’ (past recyclability) in repurposing supplies leftover from different manufacturing runs. Cotopaxi can also be an authorized B-Corp, giving a proportion of earnings to NGOs by its Cotopaxi Basis. I actually like this about Cotopaxi, there’s a cool video you may watch in regards to the Del Dia assortment and reusing of supplies.
Learn extra: How Cotopaxi’s Del Día Assortment Creates One Off Gear That’s Good for Folks & Planet
Worth
Arc’teryx is a premium model and its chalk bag is priced accordingly. At $69.95 it’s an funding, though my expertise with Arc’teryx merchandise (of which I’ve acquired a number of) has at all times demonstrated a strong ROI, each by way of efficiency and longevity.
Cotopaxi is a extra reasonably priced choice at $49.99, at an analogous worth level to the remainder of the chalk luggage you’re more likely to encounter in a gear retailer.
And fortunately neither bag is anyplace close to the $1600USD price ticket of this designer chalk bag launched by Louis Vuitton a number of years again.
Last Ideas
Huge kudos when you’re nonetheless studying at this level. On one hand, I get it – it’s a chalk bag, how a lot is there to know? However on the opposite, no matter you find yourself shopping for turns into a core addition to your climbing setup and says one thing about your mentality. For the purists craving efficiency and minimalism, the Arc’teryx Ion LT is a good choice and received’t allow you to down.
For individuals who need a bit extra flourish and character of their bag, the Cotopaxi Halcon Del Día delivers extra options and hues, in addition to participation in a cool narrative about materials reusability.
Am I bowing out from naming a winner? Perhaps. However you may chalk that as much as the best chalk bag for you coming down to private desire on the finish of the day.
