what are they for?

[freeclimb9]

I got a BD Icepack, and it's got these metal double-slotted buckles on the ends of several of the straps. In the picture, they're visible on the dangling compression straps.

I thought they might be used to secure the strap ends so you don't get whipped by them in high winds. But I can't feed the triply layered webbing back through the fastex buckle to position them nearer to where they're sewn into the seam so they can be used that way. What are these doubly slotted buckles for?

[erik]

extra rappel anchors or a back up belay device.....

 

[Bronco]

so in high winds not only do you get slapped by overly long straps, that little metal buckle really hurts.

 

I actually called BD about this and they told me after compressing the pack you slide those nifty buckles up to the main buckle to secure from strap slippage or something like that.

[rbw1966]

Here's the word directly from BDEL (I asked the same question when I got my pack):

 

The metal sliders on the compression straps are meant as a "lock" - they

help prevent the buckle from slipping, especially when it is around an

awkward thing like skis.

[freeclimb9]

Thanks for the explanations. I think I'll remove them, and if I need to lock the strap I'll tie a mule.

[snoboy]

The metal sliders on the compression straps are meant as a "lock" - they

help prevent the buckle from slipping, especially when it is around an

awkward thing like skis.

 

Sounds like someone needs to redesign the buckle then...

[fern]

or learn how to tie a knot

[iain]

or keep their skis on their feet where they belong

[Cpt.Caveman]

Maybe they are for style points More gear and straps look more hardcore

[Beck]

if you're bringing mules on a climb, doesn't that get kind of heavy?

[mattp]

It is nothing new that fastex buckles and the like will slide if there are not "keeper" buckles behind them. Many packs since the 1970's have had these extra buckles. If you are trying to save weight, buy a pack withoiut the tool tubes and what looks like a beavertail pocket and etc. on it, if not, I'd probably elect to keep those extra buckles. Though that is just me.

 

If you do remove them, one way to help make the fastex slip less is to rub some barge cement into the strap where the buckle attaches. This makes it a little stiffer and harder to adjust with one hand, but it also makes it more secure. You don't have to mess around with the mule knot or whatever.