As the name indicates, the Lite is an ultralight take on Deuter’s Freerider series, and stands out with a competitive $130 price, low 1-pound 13.6-ounce weight, and women’s-specific “SL” version (the Patagonia SnowDrifter and Black Diamond Dawn Patrol above are only made in unisex styles). And for a similar design with more capacity and even stiffer suspension, check out the Ortovox Peak 45, which boasts a unique moisture-wicking wool backpanel.See the Ortovox Haute Route 32 See the Women's Ortovox Haute Route 30S. Not to mention, the streamlined design means that you can get on and off the lift and down the slopes without feeling weighted down by a heavy and bulky pack. For more of our top ski gear recommendations, check out the Best Ski Bags. Keep in mind that the Kamber is also a great choice for winter hiking and snowshoeing, and Osprey offers a similar design in 22, 32, and 42-liter capacities.See the Men's Osprey Kamber 16 See the Women's Osprey Kresta 14. Further, because the top load strap doubles as the diagonal ski carry strap, we’ve found it difficult to max out the capacity while carrying our skis diagonally (and there’s no option for carrying a snowboard). Category: Ski mountaineering/day touringCapacity: 34 + 10LWeight: 2 lbs. These won’t be huge issues for resort skiers or those accessing backcountry terrain via a helicopter or sno-cat, but those earning their turns likely will want to step up to the standard Freerider 30 for a better feature set. Instead, look for packs with clean exteriors and minimal outer features. And finally, Osprey has anticipated your needs for a day on the slopes, with features like an insulated hydration sleeve, goggle pocket, and glove-friendly zippers and buckles. All of the packs in this article are designed with external straps for attaching skis (or often a snowboard) to the outside. Again, compared to canister airbags, the battery design means you get unlimited practice deployments (only battery life limits you), don’t have to bother with refilling your compressed air canisters, and there’s no hassle in terms of air travel. This depends on the specific kinds of skiing you enjoy most—skinning up a sunny ridgeline in the North Cascades is far different than bracing... Another ski season is upon us, and to help navigate the confusing online environment, we have put together a list of our favorite websites for buying ski gear. Some can be used for resort skiing, simply storing extra gloves and a snack. Made with snowboarders in mind, the Mission Pro offers vertical board carry (skis are strapped in diagonally) and can easily double as a skateboard pack too. The ski backpack hydration system can include the reservoir/bladder, or it can be compatible for a reservoir/bladder. There are lighter canister-powered airbags and more affordable packs (the BCA Access Float 2.0 below comes in $180 less), but the Light Protection 3.0 puts it together better than most. For 2020-2021, Black Diamond’s top-of-the-line JetForce Pro is our favorite all-around design, featuring a proprietary battery-powered airbag that’s exceptionally lightweight and easy to recharge. The fan also continues to spin once the airbag is deployed, keeping it inflated even if punctured by a rock or tree, and it’s suitable for air travel (compressed air/gas canisters are not permitted on airplanes). It is also an ideal bag for traveling as it has a lot of compartmentalized room. For those focused on moving quickly on the skin track or who don’t want to be weighed down on the descent, a lightweight pack—along with lightweight gear both inside and underfoot—should be a top priority. Deuter Freerider Pro 30. Overall, unless weight wins out above all else, we think packs like the SnowDrifter, Dawn Patrol, or Osprey’s Soelden are more well-rounded picks.See the Deuter Freerider Lite 20 See the Women's Deuter Freerider Lite 18. 1 color available. Our favorite packs in this category are the Black Diamond Cirque and Patagonia Descensionist, which do a great job balancing weight-savings and comfort. The most recent innovation in the world of airbags is the use of a battery or supercapacitor to power a fan, which allows for multiple deployments, is easy to travel with, and doesn't require you to refill any canisters (just recharge via an electrical outlet). We don’t feature any AvaLung-equipped packs in this article, but we do list a couple that are compatible with the device, including the Black Diamond Dawn Patrol and Cirque. It also features an internal sleeve for rescue gear that’s separated from the main compartment by a flap, saving weight and giving the exterior a sleek and streamlined look. These straps are incredibly useful in the event that you need to hike with your skis on your back, which is common in ski mountaineering and accessing hike-to terrain at resorts. Have you ever wondered how you would carry your gear while skiing? We had a few gripes about the first iteration of the SnowDrifter, but Patagonia made some notable improvements with the latest update (last season). Alternatively, the ski mountaineers needing more space for their gear will benefit from the 40-liter Haute Route. Airbag System: Yes. We do wish the pack was a bit tougher—the 100-denier fabric on the pack body is on the thin side for use around sharp ski equipment. Choosing the right ski jacket is all about managing the conditions that you might encounter on the mountain. Category: Ski mountaineeringCapacities: 26, 32, 45LWeight: 3 lbs. Best Backcountry Ski Backpack - Ortovox FREE RIDER 24; Budget Option - Arva Calgary 26L; Less Than 25L - Dakine Heli 12L Backpack Hydration System: No. We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases. Airbag 1.6 oz.What we like: Quality day-touring pack with the option to add an airbag system.What we don’t: Heavy and fairly expensive. And if you want to haul a snowboard or skis in an A-frame configuration, you’ll need to purchase extra straps separately (keep in mind you’re already spending a whopping $345 on the bag itself). If cross-country skiing makes you think of kicking lazy laps across your local golf course, it's time to change your image of the sport. However, airbag packs are commonly used in heli-skiing, cat-skiing, lift-served backcountry skiing, or day-touring applications. With gear prices as they are and relatively few people interested in compiling a large quiver of different options, versatility in touring packs is also key. However, we’ve come to prefer electric airbags for their sheer convenience: in short, their rechargeable nature means you don’t have to visit a refill location each time you deploy your airbag or travel via air. When you’re earning your turns, you’ll be transitioning a lot from touring to skiing, so a good day-touring pack will prioritize organization with features like full backpanel access to the main compartment, external accessory pockets, and a dedicated snow goggle pocket. We’ll break down the features that you should consider, explain why those features are important— depending on the type of skiing you will do — and review a range of ski backpacks to help you find the best one for you. Unique design features that set ski backpacks apart include dedicated pockets for goggles and avy gear, multiple access points, and external ski or snowboard carry straps. When a canister is triggered, it shoots air (or gas) into the bag, inflating it in about three seconds. See the Patagonia SnowDrifter 30L. And similar to the Patagonia, the two larger versions of the Dawn Patrol feature compression straps on the sides, allowing them to maintain their comfort and shape when underpacked. Capacities: 18, 25L. The 32-liter model features one main compartment … Not everyone will wear a backpack at the resort, but it can be a nice solution if you’re headed into the sidecountry or packing food and gear for a full day on the mountain. What we don’t: Canister airbags are less convenient than battery designs. Depending on your body shape, a gender-specific ski backpack may be necessary. Further, it’s not rare to find a pack that is is unable to haul a snowboard (the Black Diamond Cirque, for example). We’ve lauded many of the packs above for shaving weight and bulk, but in reality, not all skiers are laser-focused on traveling fast and light. And with a redesigned backpanel and hipbelt in the most recent (winter 2020-2021) update, the Haute Route is up for the task and carries a heavy load better than most. However, it’s important to remember that whenever you ski, you’re assuming some level of risk. Features Features. The Pro 34+ clocks in a bit heavier than other lightweight ski mountaineering packs here, but the extra ounces could be worth it for the expandable design and Deuter’s reliable comfort and fit. The primary pieces of equipment for backcountry skiing is the avalanche beacon and the helmet. For example, the most affordable design in our airbag pack round-up is the BCA Float 22L 2.0 at $735, and the fan-equipped Black Diamond JetForce Pro comes in at a whopping $1,400. Despite being lightweight, the Alpride system still takes up a good amount of space in the Patrol pack, and we wish the main compartment had a larger zipper. It’ll cost you a pretty penny (and with an average lifespan of 5 years, you’ll have to ask yourself if it’s worth it), but electric airbag designs are the wave of the future and Black Diamond’s JetForce Pro is far and away the best yet. No matter the design, the goal is to make your rescue equipment easily accessible. Further, Ortovox’s proprietary Avabag airbag is removeable and compatible with their full lineup of packs (which include both men’s and women’s versions and the descent-oriented Cross Rider and Free Rider), meaning you can purchase one airbag and pair it with multiple packs depending on your objective. 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