Each climber value their salt (or chalk) is aware of the significance of a trusty chalk bag. That will help 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 baggage, particularly if 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 via 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 additional time on a protracted, sweaty multi-pitch route within the Blue Mountains. So how’d they maintain up?
How did I assessment these chalk baggage?
For anybody , the mountaineering 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 nicely into the summer time season. So it’s secure to say that well-chalked fingers have been one thing of a vital 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 basic climbing circumstances.
Weighing in at 75g, it’s additionally one of many lighter choices available in the market 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
For those who’re keen to splurge on an additional 10g, Cotopaxi’s Halcon Del Día chalk bag gives 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 collection can also be distinctive, with a one-of-a-kind mixture of colors reflecting the completely different repurposed materials picked in the course of the manufacturing course of. Extra on the sustainability stuff later.
Weight: 85g
Materials: Repurposed nylon material
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 material 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 nicely.
The Cotopaxi chalk bag is a chunkier product, owing to its additional bells and whistles. I’m positive a sure breed of gnarled trad climber would scoff on the bottom zipper pocket, however I’m admittedly a sucker for these items and have used an identical chalk bag for the final three years (that pocket is ideal for storing my telephone throughout climbs).
The highest of the bag additionally has a extra sturdy really feel to it, owing to the structured rim. All these items add weight (albeit not a lot), and finally come down to non-public choice.
‘Pucker Factor’
I believed 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 an important criterion. This refers back to the diploma to which the highest varieties a decent 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 baggage invariably do.
Consolation
The liner of every bag was gentle to the contact, with easy-to-use drawstrings and waist straps to hold the bag in the precise place. I personally favor a carabiner affixing the bag to my harness, which additionally works nicely with the design of every one.
Desire a tremendous customised match? Examine Out Our Information to Make Your Personal Chalk Bag
Sustainability
Each chalk baggage have performed an excellent job right here. The Cordura nylon within the Arc’teryx Ion LT bag is fabricated from recycled supplies, additionally assembly the bluesign® Accredited 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 a licensed B-Corp, giving a proportion of earnings to NGOs via its Cotopaxi Basis. I actually like this about Cotopaxi, there’s a cool video you possibly can 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 Individuals & Planet
Value
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 received just a few) has at all times demonstrated a stable ROI, each when it comes to efficiency and longevity.
Cotopaxi is a extra inexpensive possibility at $49.99, at an identical value level to the remainder of the chalk baggage you’re more likely to encounter in a gear retailer.
And fortunately neither bag is wherever close to the $1600USD price ticket of this designer chalk bag launched by Louis Vuitton just a few years again.
Last Ideas
Massive 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 superb possibility 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 colors, in addition to participation in a cool narrative about materials reusability.
Am I bowing out from naming a winner? Possibly. However you possibly can chalk that as much as the best chalk bag for you coming down to non-public choice on the finish of the day.
