The Black Diamond Mission 75 is an all-purpose backpack for overnight adventures and expeditions in the mountains. Although it’s designed primarily for mountaineering expeditions, it has some great features that make it suitable for extended backpacking trips and winter climbing day trips.
Black Diamond Mission 75 Review
Just as at home in the mountains as it is on backpacking trips.
The Black Diamond Mission 75 is an all-purpose backpack for overnight adventures and expeditions in the mountains. Although it’s designed primarily for mountaineering expeditions, it has some great features that make it suitable for extended backpacking trips and winter climbing day trips.
One of the best parts of the Mission 75 pack is how simple it is. Black Diamond purposefully designed this pack with minimalism in mind, giving it just enough to survive harsh environments without weighing you down.
Who Is This Backpack Best For?
Who Is This Backpack Not For?
Black Diamond Mission 75 Review: At-A-Glance
Here’s a quick overview of the subjects that we’ll be covering in this backpack review. Click the links in the table of contents to jump to the appropriate section in this review.
Table of Contents
1. Review Summary
2. Specifications
3. Main Features
4. How We Got the Results
4.1 Comfort & Support
4.2 Weights
4.3 Versatility
4.4 Durability & Design
Price: $249.95 List | $249.95 at Black Diamond Official
Pros: Multi-Purpose Multi Featured Pack. Quality Design
Cons: Lacking shoulder padding. Pricy.
Manufacturer: Black Diamond
By Stephen John · Owner, Editor & Tester · September 22nd, 2020
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Black Diamond Mission 75 – Rating
OVERALL RATING
88
Review Summary & Conclusion
In recognizing that climbers and mountaineers often travel with bulky gear, Black Diamond crafted this pack to have multiple gear attachment points. It boasts a large crampon pocket, two purpose-built ice-tool PickPockets, as well as side straps that can be used for anything from sleeping pads to snow pickets.
Plus, while the Mission 75 isn’t exactly heavy for a pack this size, it’s built to be fully strippable for maximum weight savings. When cutting weight is a top priority, mountaineers and backpackers can remove the hip-belt, the frame sheet, and the top lid off of this pack.
Black Diamond Mission 75 – Size Guide
| Gender | Pack Size | Torso (In/Cm) | Waist (In/Cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unisex | S/M | 16-10 / 41-48 | 26-40 / 66-102 |
| Unisex | M/L | 18.5-21.5 / 47-55 | 28-45 / 71-114 |
About Black Diamond’s Active Suspension System
Black Diamond packs built with our award-winning active suspension systems—ergoACTIV, ergoACTIV XP, reACTIV and reACTIV XP—are unparalleled in comfort, efficiency and load transfer. Because the shoulder straps and hipbelt move with you, friction and hot spots are eliminated. The pack’s load stays perfectly balanced at all times—without adjustment—and allows your body to move naturally in any direction. This results in a more efficient, comfortable, longer stride—meaning you can cover more ground, more quickly.
Specifications
Main Features
Comfort – Black Diamond Mission 75
Since the Mission 75 was designed with weight savings in mind, it’s not a top scorer in terms of comfort. However, it does have a reACTIV hip belt and a thermoformed back panel which provides a bit of relief from the strain of a heavy load.
New climbers, or anyone that’s not used to carrying a heavy pack, will probably feel slightly uncomfortable on the first few trips with the Mission 75. Since its shoulder straps are somewhat lacking in terms of padding, it can take some adjustments and fine-tuning to find a fit that really feels comfortable with this pack.
Weight – Black Diamond Mission 75
At 4lbs (1.8kg), the Mission 75 is fairly lightweight for a pack this size. While we can’t necessarily consider it to be an ultralight pack, it is decently light for a pack that has a frame sheet and a well-padded hip belt. Plus, the extra weight in this pack is partially a result of its thick fabrics, which is a bonus if you travel in rugged terrain.
Versatility – Black Diamond Mission 75
Even though it was designed with mountaineers and alpine climbs in mind, Mission 75 is versatile enough to use for a classic summer backpacking trip.
That being said, its lack of extra features does mean that many people who are used to more traditional backpacking packs might need to adjust their packing systems to a more minimalist style when using this pack.
Since the Mission 75 has pickpockets, a crampon pouch, and a rope strap, it’s more than ready to head out on any climbing trip. For backpackers that prefer to use a hydration system and not water bottles, this pack also has everything you need for a jaunt in the mountains.
Pros
Cons
Build Quality & Durability – Black Diamond Mission 75
Black Diamond is known for making quality gear and the Mission 75 is no exception. This pack boasts an extra burly 420D ripstop nylon fabric outer, which provides impressive durability in the mountains.
After using 2 generations of this pack over the course of 5 years in the mountains, I can confidently say that it’s built to last. Even when carrying a borderline excessive amount of gear, the Mission 75 held its own under 85lb (38.6kg) loads on extended mountaineering adventures.
Throughout countless bushwhacks in some particularly treacherous terrain, the outer fabrics of this pack looked slightly worn, but never like it was on its last legs.
With that in mind, this pack is by no means waterproof and its water-resistance is a function of the fabric’s thickness, rather than any special technology. If you plan to climb somewhere that’s especially damp, a pack liner is a must when using the Mission 75 for keeping your gear dry.
Testimonials – Black Diamond Mission 75
– Most Versatile Pack I HaveSome Background:I bought this pack in January 2018, after doing a winter camping/ski trip with a smaller, old ~45L swiss gear pack. Needless to say it was not adequate for all the gear needed (Tent, snow study tools, avalanche gear, food, clothing, sleeping bag, etc). I had planned a hut trip in February 2018 and knew I wanted to have a more manageable pack.
The Pack: The pack thrives on its simplicity. All important gear goes into main compartment. How you pack it will directly relate to its performance. For example I always pack avalanche gear last, as it’s what I want to be able to access first things first. The lid is perfect for what you need during the day. I usually keep a water bottle, midlayer, lunch/snacks, and coffee/tea. If you squeeze, you can also keep a camera in there. All in all, I’ve never had an issue with space. I’ve also never had an issue with too much weight. I find it packs down super well, to the point I often bring it for day trips and it makes a great crag pack too.
Summary: Simple, well performing pack that can be used from day trips to multi-day expeditions.
– Taken from: https://www.Blackdiamondequipment.com
– ALMOST MY FAVOURITE PACK..This is one of the only backpacks that fit my back perfectly, especially with such lightweight and quality foam straps. The suspension system certainly makes even heavy loads quite comfortable, with slim but secure hip straps. The buckles are durable and well positioned. Very accepting of both smaller and much larger loads. A fantastic bag for alpine climbing or backpacking enthusiasts who appreciate a low profile pack.
My main concerns are:
Crampon pouch fits all models very well, however does not close at the top; so snow tends to get in the pocket when you’re actually using your crampons. I simply stitched my own Velcro strips, for a pretty easy fix.If only this thing had side pockets.. I understand it was meant to be lightweight, but this additional feature would not have weighed much at all. Would have been exceptionally handy for holding crevasse rescue kits, nalgenes, speakers (I love trail jams), or everything else!
Black Diamond,
SIDE POCKETS. PLEASE INSTALL HIGH RETENTION SIDE POCKETS ON THE MISSION 75.– Taken from: https://www.Blackdiamondequipment.com
– Simple and Perfect FeaturesI have used this pack for 3 seasons of guiding in the Oregon Cascades. I pack out 6-8 days worth of food, climbing gear, ice axe, camping gear etc. This pack carries weight well, and is easy to pack. The side zipper is still going strong and useful when I need to grab something quickly from my pack.
– Taken from: https://www.Blackdiamondequipment.com
Author
Stephen John
Founder, Tester & Editor
Stephen is the founder of Backpackfanatic. Besides managing daily operations he also edits, designs & tests products.
