Engineered for Vertical, Designed for Everything: The Pingora Focus 25
Designed for the Heights, Built for Every Adventure
As a gear designer, I typically create equipment for highly specific uses. So, I'll admit, the Focus 25 surprised even me. While specifically engineered for the demands of multi-pitch summer alpine climbing, this pack has proven its incredible versatility across almost every adventure I've thrown at it. I've taken it winter backcountry touring in Hokkaido, on diving trips in the Philippines (yes, really!), through countless miles of hiking, and up numerous pitches of granite and sandstone. The Focus just performs.
Climbing-Focused Design: Precision Where It Matters Most
What makes this pack truly exceptional? It starts with its uncompromising climbing-focused design. When you're at a hanging belay, hundreds of feet up, with limited supplies and no room for error, preventing dropped gear is absolutely critical. That's why we incorporated completely vertical access, a standard for serious multi-pitch packs.
Instead of traditional zippers—which are prone to wearing out in rocky environments, seizing up in cold conditions, or unexpectedly opening from climbing abrasion—we opted for a drawstring closure. This isn't just any drawstring; it's secured with a non-spring camming cord lock for unmatched durability and reliability, even in the harshest conditions.
For those challenging hanging belays, we added two large, robust haul handles. These allow you to quickly and securely position the pack exactly how you need it—facing toward or away from the wall—ensuring effortless access to your gear when you need it most. And when the weather turns, that same drawstring closure can be easily cinched with just one hand to keep out rain and debris, all while still allowing lightning-fast access.
Mottainai Fabric: Performance Meets Purpose
Our commitment to both performance and sustainability shines through in our Mottainai fabric. This isn't just about being eco-friendly; it's about making smart choices for uncompromising gear. "Mottainai" reflects our philosophy of valuing resources, sourcing high-quality leftover production stock from trusted nylon suppliers.
With the Focus, we've achieved an optimal balance of durability and weight. You'll find a mix of advanced nylon ripstop fabrics across different colorways, each selected for its specific strengths. Some versions feature UHMWPE ripstop for extreme abrasion resistance, others utilize Robic (hollow) Nylon for an incredible strength-to-weight ratio, and most incorporate recycled materials. Rest assured, every variant meets and often exceeds modern climbing pack standards.
The Unexpected "Quiver Killer"
Perhaps the most interesting outcome of designing so specifically for multi-pitch alpine climbing is the Focus 25's unexpected versatility. The combination of that intuitive drawstring access and the integrated rope compression strap created a pack so adaptable, it's what I somewhat reluctantly call a "quiver killer"—that one bag that truly replaces many others in your gear closet. It's proof that when you build something with uncompromised intention, its utility can far exceed its original design brief.
