Review: BD Covert 22L and Anarchist 42L (both with built-in avalung)
I figured with a full season on the Anarchist and some time with the Covert that I could give a review comparing and contrasting the two packs. Black Diamond really raised the bar with avy packs by including a built in avalung. Until the ABS pack becomes cheaper, lighter, and bit more available, this is the choice pack to increase your chances of survival in avalanche terrain. You cannot say enough about how well integrated the Avalung is into BOTH packs. BD really hit a grand slam with this feature and if you are in the market for a new pack, I would HIGHLY rec'd looking first to BD for the avalung packs.
Anarchist 42L: The biggest pack in Black Diamonds avalung line, the Anarchist has everything anyone would need for a full-day outing, or even a multi-night trip to a hut. The pack is a top-loader with ample space and a separate compartment for avy tools. The main compartment is again, cavernous, with lots of space. The pack is easily accessible with a side-zip which allows you to place to take out gear that is at the bottom of the pack. Without this feature, it would be cumbersome to consistently have to reach into the top loader to retrieve goods.
The avy compartment is amply big for a saw, probe, and shovel. Interestingly, and I find this to be a problem with both BD packs is the BD Deploy Shovel does not fit fully into the pack. The top of the shovel handle will stick out of the Anarchist's avy gear pocket, but the top loading pockets will cover the shovel.
The top loaded pockets on the Anarchist are great for maps, or other sundries that you may be carrying along. I am consistently surprised with how much stuff I can fit into these two small, zippered pockets. They make a great place to stash sunscreen, an energy bar, a map, GPS unit, or something you need easy and quick access to.
The pack fits my body very well. Much better than my old Khamski, and even when fully loaded does not feel burdensome. Properly packed, the pack does not push your weight forward when skiing through variable snow. My only complaint about the loaded pack are the hip belts, which are a bit flimsy for such a large pack. It may be possible to retrofit some burly and more comfy foam hip belts, but I won't be doing that anytime soon.
Overall, I give the Anarchist an A-/A. Again, the pack does everything advertised in a simple, and yet sophisticated package. The only downside being the flimsy hip belts.
Covert 22L: Finding that the Anarchist was a bit large for some sidecountry and shorter day trips, I purchased a Covert 22L this fall. While I haven't had the same amount of time on this pack, I have gotten a feel for its strength and weaknesses.
First and foremost caveat empetor that this is a small pack. If you carry a good deal of gear on your day trips, this pack will be way too small. That being said, I was able to fit most of what I would take on a day trip into the pack, so long as I sinched my outer-layer to the outside of the pack.
Like the Anarchist, the Covert is a two pocket pack with one dedicated avy gear pocket. Like the Anarchist, the Covert has a bit of trouble fitting standard BD avy gear, though the problem is a bit accentuated on the Covert because of its clamshell pocket system (i.e., the top of the shovel will poke out of the pocket).
The Covert will work better if you carry a camelback versus water bottles. I swore off carrying a camelback in the backcountry a few years ago and I found that getting two full nalgenes into the pack, along with food, a first aid kit, and few other things was a bit burdensome.
However, when fully packed, the Covert fit and carried extremely well, arguably better than the Anarchist. I had the pack filled to the brim yesterday and hardly noticed the weight. It does have a very nice, small profile which keeps the pack close to the body, reducing the times that it can throw off your balance. Like the Anarchist, it skis very well, keeping the weight close to your body so as to not throw you off when hitting variable snow.
Again, however, this is a small pack and is probably best suited for sidecountry or quick laps (like Berthoud or Loveland Pass) where you are returning to your car, etc. I do not think I will be taking it out again on another extended day trip.
Overall, I have to give this one a A-. Much like its bigger bretheren, it does everything as advertised, though in a much smaller package. Not being able to perfectly fit the avy gear in the pocket isn't a deal killer, but it is something to take in consideration.
Also, if you are on the fence, I think the Covert 32L/Anarchist 32L are great compromise.s That would be perfect for folks who like long day trips, but won't be doing any overnights. I like the top loading features of the Anarchist better than the Covert's clamshell loading, but thought that the Covert carried the weight a bit better.
