What is the Zealot 45?
It's a spacious climbing backpack designed for avid climbers who prioritise function, carry and comfort. The Zealot 45 provides a fantastic level of organisation and is built with highly durable materials that can withstand years of abuse on the rockface.
What is it made of?
This pack is primarily made of bluesign® approved 840D recycled ballistic ripstop nylon. Ripstop nylon has been developed especially to resist tears and scrapes, making it perfect for climbing rugged mountain terrain. It's guaranteed to survive and thrive after years of beatings against jagged rocks and gritty surfaces.
The bag also has a 630D recycled high tenacity diamond ripstop nylon base and accents for added reinforcement.
All materials are coated with a PFC/PFAS-free DWR (durable water repellent), which encourages light rain, spills and snow to bead off the fabric instead of soaking through and wetting out all of your kit. PFC/PFAS-free treatments are much more sustainable than regular treatments as they don't contain chemicals that can damage the environment through waste water from factories.
Which backsystem does it use?
To keep bulk to a minimum, Osprey has used a molded-EVA backpanel and a HDPE framesheet in the back of this pack to give it structure. It feels comfortable when mounted and helps to stop kit inside the bag from digging into your back.
It's not the most techy design in terms of Osprey backsystems, but this is so that weight is kept to a minimum to suit climbers hauling these bags up long routes.
What are its features?
An EVA foam and spacer mesh harness provide plenty of padding to stop the straps from digging in if you're carrying a heavy load. There's a sternum strap on the front for added security, which is removable if you'd prefer not to use it.
The hip belt pulls the weight into your hips to help alleviate discomfort in the lower back. Again, this belt is removable if weight is a priority, and you need to strip everything down to a minimum.
The Zealot 45 has a top loader and cinch closure to provide quick and easy access to the main compartment, while the stowaway cinch flap cover and rope carry flap provide extra protection and security for your climbing essentials.
A duffel-like front panel also allows access into the main compartment, with zip mesh pockets for organising smaller belongings like snacks, energy gels and finger tape.
An internal side panel zip pocket provides additional space, and a front panel zip pocket fits guide books and maps perfectly.
Foam sidewalls offer plenty of protection for when the pack is mounted. They're durable, and should you need to pack everything down, you can use the lightweight compression straps to cinch in dead space.
If you're in a hurry shuttling from one route to the next, there are tote-like grab handles located near the duffel opening to give you the option to grab and go.
Attachment loops on the front panel offer extra space for accessories like belay gloves, GPS units and water bottles.
Finally, to protect your beloved climbing ropes even further, Osprey has included a rope tarp with rope end tie off loops. The tarp doubles up well as a 'crag deck' for re-organising gear after an ascent, changing your shoes or taking a pit stop between walk-ins.
Features:
- Top load, cinch closure and access to the main compartment
- Duffel-like front panel main compartment access, with zip mesh pocket organisation
- Internal side panel zip pocket
- Side panel zip pocket with key fob
- Stowaway cinch flap cover and rope carry flap
- Front panel zip pocket for guide book, maps, etc.
- Durable, protective, compressible foam sidewalls with compression straps
- Tote-like grab handles for quick carry
- Front panel upper attachment loops for small items on the approach or at the crag
- Included: rope tarp with rope end tie off loops; doubles as a "crag deck"