Blue Ice Moonlight 55
Overall Rating: ★★★★★
MSRP: $199.95 USD
Manufacturer: Blue Ice
Would I purchase this product again? Yes
Is this something I keep in my day-to-day kit? Yes
Review:
The Moonlight 55 is Blue Ice’s take on the cragging pack, a category many companies are diving into these days. Like much of what Blue Ice produces, it’s simple, thoughtfully designed, and stripped of unnecessary extras. For better or worse, I tend to take a “bring the kitchen sink” approach when sport or trad cragging. On my recent sport climbing trip to Spain, that was no different. When it comes to hauling the proverbial “kitchen sink” to the crag, I typically lean toward one of two types of packs: a small haul bag like the Metolius Sentinel (45L) or a more comfortable, feature-rich option like the Savage Mtn Gear Jackpot 40. Haul bags are tough but not ideal for longer approaches, so I prefer something that carries weight more comfortably for the long approaches, the this pack seems to strike that balance perfectly!
That’s why the Moonlight 55 caught my eye. The full-length side zip seemed like a game-changer for accessing gear without triggering a full-blown gear explosion. After a week of dragging this pack around Spain, I can confidently say it’s pretty fantastic.
The Moonlight 55 easily fit all the essentials for Euro sport climbing: a harness, two pairs of climbing shoes, a kneebar pad, a hangboard, 20 sport draws, an 80m rope in a rope bag, a large belay jacket, belay pants, a hat, gloves, shorts, a t-shirt, food, water, and a guidebook.
What truly sets this pack apart though, is how well it carries when fully loaded. Blue Ice nailed the balance between durability and comfort by incorporating a frame, well-designed shoulder straps with load lifters, and a supportive waist belt. These features made the pack feel stable and manageable, even with a heavy load.
The Moonlight 55 strikes the perfect balance between simplicity, capacity, and comfort—an ideal option for climbers who value efficiency without sacrificing functionality.
Nitty Gritty Details:
Weight: 1425g
Size: M/L (I'm 5’11”)
Material: 800d Nylon with TPU coating
Durability: 9/10
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
Carry-On Friendly: I was able to fly with this pack as my carry-on! (To clarify, the height technically measures 2" too tall, but if it’s not packed to the brim, it’s easy to compress it to fit the airline requirements.)
Convenient Dual Handles: The handles by the zipper are great for quickly moving between routes without needing to close the bag entirely.
Comfortable Load Carrying: It handles heavy loads impressively well, thanks to the frame and well-padded straps.
Improved Organization: Offers enough storage options to avoid the disorganization that often comes with haul bags.
Cons:
Pockets Accessibility: The zippered side pockets and the small pockets above the shoulder straps are difficult to access when the bag is lying open.
Heavy Dependence on Zipper: The design relies heavily on the main zipper (a YKK #10 coil). While the zipper feels durable, mishandling could potentially cause issues over time.
Helmet Holder Compatibility: Blue Ice claims the bag is “helmet holder compatible,” but my experience says otherwise. I tried installing the helmet carry accessory, but it didn’t work as seamlessly as it does with other Blue Ice packs.
Final thoughts:
The Moonlight 55 is a solid take on a cragging pack. While I’ve pointed out a few minor gripes (it wouldn’t be a gear review otherwise!), this pack delivers where it matters. If you’re in the market for a dependable cragging pack, give it a shot—I doubt you’ll be disappointed.
I’m also looking forward to trying out the Blue Ice Octopus 45 in the future. It shares many of the same features but places the zipper access on the shoulder strap side, which could be a game-changer for keeping the straps clean and dry during long days at the crag.
