The North Face Cinder 55L
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Cinder 55 Backpack
Summit Series™ · Trad Climbing · 55 L
The award-winning Summit Series Cinder 55 Backpack — designed in collaboration with Peter Croft and other climbing athletes from The North Face® — is the ultimate trad climbing pack. It's super tough, easy to use, and at 55 liters, is roomy enough for the largest racks. Its recycled face fabric is created using chips from the factory floor, meaning that each pack is completely unique.
Recycled polyester fabric integrates fabric scraps collected from the factory floor to create one-of-a-kind striations and a unique design
Extremely durable, abrasion-resistant fabric
Spacious main compartment makes it easy to fit big trad racks
Stand-up design for easier packing and unpacking
Durable metal 9-hook and the top flap function as a rope carry, and the 9-hook doubles as a bottle opener
Complete with a key hook, the secure-zip top pocket holds tape, a phone, guidebooks, and other small essentials
Secure-zip back pocket holds other small items
Padded and durable shoulder straps and hipbelt help make hauling heavy loads more manageable
Top handle and side haul loops for hauling or clipping on an extra pair of shoes
Sternum strap with a whistle buckle
Daisy-chain webbing offers lash points
General
Type
Pack · Backpack
Activity
Summit Series™ · Trad Climbing / Mountaineering
Gender
Unisex
Fit & Sizing
Sizes
One size
Volume
3356 in³ (55 liters)
Avg Weight
4 lbs 8 oz (2040 g)
Dimensions
Overall
11.75'' x 11'' x 25.25'' (29.8 cm x 27.9 cm x 64.1 cm)
Materials
Body
1000D recycled polyester tarpaulin with non-PFC DWR finish
Construction
Fabric
Recycled polyester with factory-floor fabric chips creating one-of-a-kind striations
Main Compartment
Spacious — fits big trad racks · stand-up design for easier packing and unpacking
Rope Carry
Durable metal 9-hook + top flap function as a rope carry · 9-hook doubles as a bottle opener
Top Pocket
Secure-zip top pocket with key hook — holds tape, phone, guidebooks, and small essentials
Back Pocket
Secure-zip back pocket for small items
Shoulder Straps & Hipbelt
Padded and durable — designed for hauling heavy loads
Carry Options
Top handle + side haul loops for hauling or clipping on an extra pair of shoes
Sternum Strap
Sternum strap with whistle buckle
Lash Points
Daisy-chain webbing
Sustainability
Recycled Content
Body fabric: 1000D recycled polyester (made with factory-floor fabric chips)
DWR Finish
Non-PFC durable water-repellent (PFC-free)
Technology
Summit Series™
The North Face's pinnacle mountaineering line — engineered for high-alpine objectives with input from TNF climbing athletes
Peter Croft Collaboration
Designed in collaboration with Peter Croft and other TNF climbing athletes
Cleaning
Wipe the 1000D recycled polyester tarpaulin exterior with a damp cloth and mild soap. The tarpaulin shell is highly water- and abrasion-resistant and cleans easily — don't use harsh solvents or bleach, which can degrade the TPU-style coating on the tarpaulin face and the non-PFC DWR finish. Empty all pockets (top pocket, back pocket) before cleaning, and brush the interior with a soft dry brush to clear rock dust and chalk.
Drying
Air dry completely at room temperature with all compartments unzipped. Stand the pack upright (the stand-up design makes this easy) or hang from the top handle. Don't tumble dry, don't use a clothes dryer, and don't apply direct heat (hair dryer, heater, radiator) — heat can delaminate any bonded seams, warp the metal 9-hook hardware, and damage the DWR finish.
1000D Recycled Tarpaulin Shell
The 1000D recycled polyester tarpaulin is the same abrasion-resistant face fabric used on the most rugged TNF packs and Base Camp Duffels — built for hauling over granite, choss, and scree without snagging. The one-of-a-kind striations (from integrated factory-floor fabric chips) are part of each pack's unique look. Avoid dragging the pack across rough surfaces to preserve the striations and the DWR finish.
Metal 9-Hook Rope Carry / Bottle Opener
The durable metal 9-hook at the top flap is the rope-carry attachment point for trad climbing — it doubles as a bottle opener. Rinse with fresh water after contact with salt or sweat, and confirm the gate is fully seated before each carry. Don't pry things with the hook's gate or use it as a hammer — both can bend the gate and compromise the rope carry.
Stand-Up Design
The stand-up design lets the pack sit upright while you pack and unpack — easier than fishing gear out of a flat pack on the ground. The bottom panel reinforcement handles abrasion from sitting the pack on rock, gravel, and dirt without compromising the stand-up feature. Inspect the bottom panel after heavy use; the 1000D tarpaulin is durable but repeated abrasive contact can wear it down over time.
Spacious Main Compartment for Trad Racks
The main compartment is sized to fit the largest trad racks — wide enough to load cams, nuts, and slings without folding them. Pack heavy gear near the back panel and close to the shoulder straps so the load rides high and centered rather than flopping behind you. Heavy loads put the most stress on the shoulder strap and hipbelt attachment points — inspect those seams periodically.
Secure-Zip Top & Back Pockets
The secure-zip top pocket holds tape, phone, guidebooks, and small essentials — the key hook inside keeps keys from getting lost at the bottom. The secure-zip back pocket holds other small items. Brush the zippers with a soft toothbrush to clear grit (chalk and rock dust are common) and lubricate sparingly with silicone-based lubricant if the sliders stiffen.
Padded Shoulder Straps & Hipbelt
The padded shoulder straps and hipbelt are designed for heavy loads — they're reinforced to handle multi-pitch days and approach hauls. Periodically air them out to prevent odor buildup in the foam padding. Don't over-tighten the hipbelt on every climb — proper load transfer requires the hipbelt to sit on the iliac crest, not higher around the waist, where it can restrict breathing.
Top Handle & Side Haul Loops
The top handle is reinforced for hauling the pack up short pitches or clipping to a belay. The side haul loops are sized for clipping an extra pair of approach shoes to the outside of the pack. Inspect both the top handle and the haul loops periodically — heavy hauling loads stress the attachment stitching. Replace or repair through TNF's repair service if the stitching lifts.
Sternum Strap with Whistle Buckle
The sternum strap's whistle buckle is a standard climbing-pack feature for both load distribution and emergency signaling. Confirm the buckle latches firmly before each carry, and confirm the whistle is audible. Don't replace the buckle with a non-whistle one — the safety function is intentional.
Daisy-Chain Webbing Lash Points
The daisy-chain webbing on the front of the pack lets you clip extra gear (rope, helmet, rack, jacket). Always clip carabiners through the webbing loops, not the stitching — the webbing takes the load; the stitching doesn't. Inspect the webbing threads for fraying after heavy use.
DWR Maintenance
The non-PFC DWR finish on the 1000D recycled tarpaulin can be refreshed when water no longer beads on the surface. Apply a PFC-free DWR spray treatment rated for polyester tarpaulin and let cure. Avoid saturating the bonded seams with treatment.
Rock Dust & Chalk
Chalk and rock dust are common in trad climbing — the woven face of the tarpaulin can hold onto these dusts. Brush the pack with a soft dry brush after each climbing day, and consider spot-cleaning chalky areas with a damp cloth. Persistent chalk can stiffen the fabric over time.
Storage
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight with all compartments unzipped. UV exposure degrades the 1000D recycled tarpaulin and fades the unique striations over time. Don't store the pack compressed under heavy gear for long periods — the shoulder straps and hipbelt padding can permanently deform. Confirm the pack is fully dry before storage to prevent mildew.
Shipping Policy
Components:
All component items (wheels, drivetrains, suspension, brakes, etc.) ship within 2-5 business days of purchase.
Bicycles:
Complete bikes typically ship within 2–3 weeks due to build, tuning, and inspection times. You will receive tracking information as soon as your order is ready to ship.
Riding Gear & Apparel:
Riding gear and apparel orders (helmets, jerseys, gloves, etc.) ship within 2-5 business days.
Returns & Exchanges:
If you received the wrong size or wish to exchange an item, it must be returned in original condition—unused, uninstalled, and with all packaging intact.
For full details, please see our Refund Policy before initiating a return.
