It’s the winter solstice in Southcentral Alaska, and I only have 5 hours of daylight. As I gained the summit ridge, it’s 2 p.m., and the sun is already starting to dip below the horizon. Needing to move fast to get back down before dark, I attached my skis to my pack without removing them and pounded up the boot track to make the summit. I reached the top just as dusk arrived, removed my skis, and transitioned in seconds.
I pulled my hat and gloves from the zippered shoulder straps and easily grabbed my down layer from the side zip of my Black Diamond Cirque 25 pack. I’m reminded how much of a difference streamlined gear makes when time is limited. When there’s only a handful of daylight hours, the Cirque 25 makes every second count on fast and light missions.
I skied down to the parking lot and made it back just in time for dark.
In short: The Black Diamond Cirque is a lightweight, purpose-built ski pack for light and fast missions in technical terrain. Small enough to be used for ski mountaineering races, yet with enough volume for backcountry trips, it strikes a balance between an ultralight vest-style pack and a heavy-duty backcountry backpack. For those whose kit is small and light, the Cirque 25 is sure to deliver top-notch performance with none of the extra weight.
If you’re shopping for backcountry ski packs, check out GearJunkie’s guide to the Best Backcountry Ski Packs.
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Lightweight design -
Adjustable volume with roll-top closure -
Pockets on shoulder straps -
Removable waistbelt -
On-the-go diagonal ski carry system
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Easily overburdened -
Shoulder straps are not as comfortable as some
Black Diamond Cirque 25 Backpack Review
While long loved by runners and ski mountaineer racers, the vest-style pack has been slow to catch on in the backcountry ski world. With its 2020 Cirque 22 Ski Vest, Black Diamond took an initial stab at filling this niche.
With the newly released Cirque 25, Black Diamond sought to make a pack for those dedicated to the fast and light style while still being fully featured for safety and functionality in the backcountry.
Pack Layout and Design
When I first saw the Cirque 25, the shoulder straps on the front immediately caught my eye. Borrowing the design of running vests, this pack utilizes pockets on each shoulder strap. They’re great for stowing quick-access items like hats, gloves, snacks, or a small water bottle.
That system is easily loosened or tightened with a toggle to accommodate different-sized torsos. Tie a knot in the cord to keep the sizing secure. A webbing waist belt further secures the pack to the body. If using the pack with a smaller load, the waist belt is removable to streamline the pack further.
The interior is easily accessible with a side zipper that runs vertically almost the full length of the pack. This is great for quickly accessing a layer or water bottle without having to open up the whole pack.
The main compartment utilizes a roll-top. That design makes the pack capable of carrying a wide range of volumes. Simply roll up or unroll the top to make the pack smaller or bigger. Marketed as 25L, I found that this pack has a volume much closer to 30 or 35 L. Particularly when unrolled to its largest size, it can fit a lot. (Just be mindful of how much it weighs and how stuffed it gets.)
The dedicated avalanche pocket is accessed from the back of the pack. I easily fit my shovel and probe in this zippered pocket and even had room for more items. A removable helmet carry system on the back of the pack held my helmet securely in place on the pack when not in use.
Interior Layout
The inside of the Black Diamond Cirque 25 pack is lined with a red fabric. That allows you to easily find items inside, avoiding the “black hole” effect. A zippered interior pocket is great for snacks and comes with a clip for car keys.
The Black Diamond Cirque 25 is divided with a removable internal divider. This is great for stowing things like skins and crampons, which are then accessed from the external side zip. Remove the divider for one larger main compartment.
Features
Diagonal Ski Carry
For those who count their seconds on the transition from skinning to the boot pack, the diagonal ski carry is a quick and convenient way to attach the skis to the pack without losing too much time. Both the top strap and the bottom loop are adjustable to allow use for different-width skis.
Removable Main Compartment Divider
Divide up the main compartment with a thin yet robust divider. This allows for skins, crampons, and other quick-access essentials to be kept at the bottom, where they are easily accessible thanks to the side zip. If you prefer one large compartment, remove the divider for one continuous area.
Exterior Avalanche Pocket
An essential for any backcountry ski backpack, the zippered avalanche pocket is large enough to easily fit a shovel and probe. A riveted hole at the bottom lets out melted snow and is great for hang-drying the pack after a long day in the snow.
Exterior Access Side Zip
Thanks to the vertical zipper on the right side of the pack, I was able to quickly access the main compartment without unrolling the top. This is great for grabbing quick items like a layer or water bottle and can be used without taking the pack off.
PickPocket Piolet Carry System
The PickPocket piolet carry system is simple and secure. It can carry two ice axes. Small bungees secure the shaft, and the picks slide into a reinforced slot.
In the Field
I tested the Cirque 25 on day trips in three mountain ranges in Southcentral Alaska: The Talkeetna, Chugach, and Kenai. My first time using the pack was on an after-work hot lap of my local backcountry spot in the Front Range of the Chugach.
The pack’s low volume was great for quick outings like that one. I only needed a few layers and my avalanche safety gear to be out for an hour or two. With just a few items in the pack, it rode comfortably and fit snugly to the body.
Once I had become more acquainted with the pack, I took it out on a multi-summit ski tour in the Talkeetna Range. I intentionally loaded the pack lightly. However, that day inevitably required more weight compared to my previous outings when I wore it for quick after-work laps.
I was impressed with the Cirque 25’s ability to comfortably hold an entire day’s worth of food and gear. However, when fully loaded, the upper portions of the shoulder strap felt like they wanted to slip off my shoulders. With a second sternum strap, a feature its predecessor, the Cirque 22, had, some of that feeling could be alleviated.
Where I felt like the Cirque 25 finally met its limit was on a cold day in Turnagain Pass. I needed more gear in terms of weight and volume than I had previously. With multiple pairs of gloves, a thermos, and a heavyweight down jacket to help ward off negative double-digit temps, the Cirque 25 felt overburdened. The shoulder strap dug into my shoulders uncomfortably, and the webbing waist strap did little to alleviate the weight.
What I Loved
I loved the Cirque 25’s streamlined design while still maintaining full backcountry functionality. It’s light enough for quick missions yet technically oriented to fulfill all my needs in the backcountry.
I also really like that it’s large enough to fit my essentials and small enough to feel unencumbered while skiing. The shoulder strap pockets are great for small essentials, and the vertical side zip makes accessing items easy without removing the pack. It’s a great pack for those needing on-the-go functionality without removing it from the body.
Room for Improvement
The biggest challenges the Cirque 25 faces are when filled to its maximum weight and capacity. It is easily overwhelmed by anything more than 10 to 15 pounds. The shoulder straps are narrow and, if overburdened, dig into the shoulders uncomfortably.
Unfortunately, the shoulder strap pockets are not quite large enough to comfortably accommodate wider items like a cellphone or thick gloves. When the pack was full, and items were in the shoulder strap pockets, I felt items digging into my arms and shoulders. And as mentioned, I also found myself wishing for a second sternum strap to keep the upper portion of the shoulder straps secured more snugly to the body.
When the pack is full, the on-the-go diagonal ski carry is hard to employ while wearing the Cirque 25. The body of the pack extends too far out for secure attachment without removing the pack.
At the expense of its load-bearing capabilities, it maintains some features of a vest, like shoulder strap pockets and a minimally supportive waist belt. With a little more support, the Cirque 25 could become a more comfortable pack to carry with a heavier load.
Additionally, putting skis on the pack using the on-the-go system was nearly impossible while the pack was full, requiring taking it off to get the skis situated in the most comfortable position.
Conclusion
The Cirque 25 quickly became my go-to day pack for lightweight missions in Alaska’s Chugach and Talkeetna Mountains. As a self-proclaimed lightweight geek and lover of all things ultralight, I fell in love with its streamlined design and minimal weight.
The Black Diamond Cirque 25 is the perfect pack for those who pack light and move fast. While it may lack the volume and heavy load-bearing capacity of a more robust pack, it’s great for quick outings or fast and light backcountry days. However, this is not the pack to choose for multiday outings or those requiring a lot of gear, as its low volume limits the amount of carrying space.
A few small design quirks like narrow shoulder straps and a needed second sternum strap detract from the comfort under load. Regardless, the Cirque 25 is an excellent option for those carrying light loads for quick outings in the backcountry.
For anyone in the trail running or mountain sports world, the vest-style pack is quickly becoming a ubiquitous piece of my touring equipment. The front access pockets make accessing essential items easy, and the close-to-the-body design minimizes bounce and maintains a streamlined profile.
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