Pack Suggestions

[yesIsaidyes]

that is a really wierd pic...

[Frozone]

Another vote for the Osprey Switch 25 +5. Great pack and I know really fat skiis can fit through the loops because I can get my split board through them in ski mode, just barely. I like the way it allows me to organize my gear, especially the avy tools pocket up front. Hip belt pockets carry my compass/ slope meter, folded map, etc, just the right size for a long day and works for late fall overnighters with a bivy.

[Sphinx]

that is a really wierd pic...

Why is that?

[yesIsaidyes]

i was being sarcastic...

[Sphinx]

Doh!

My brain appears to be off.

[Particle]

LB - Everyone at work loves the Osprey Switch series...I'm thinking of picking one up one of these days.

I second the Stash BC...love my old Stash, still going strong after 4 years of abuse. I got a Marmot Eiger last year and while it's just a rucksack it's really nice. BD's also have a nice line this year. Lots of good options out there.

[Cirquerider]

Just bought a DAKINE Pro II Backpack at Steep and Cheap for the outrageous sum of $39.38. 1550 ci, diagonal carry, hydration sleeve, not a lot of stuff flapping around. These should sell out fast.

[Dside11-11]

I was thinking the BCA Stash BC looks pretty sweet.

I bought a lot of BCA stuff last year, and I have found a lot of it to be mediocre.

The Stash BC that I own has holes that have worn through near the ski straps from the male-side of the velcro. The compression straps at the bottom are showing evidence of stitch pull, as well. The resevoir leaks at the bite valve after one season, and it has frozen in its zip-up, supposedly freeze-proof housing on a few occasions.

The ergonomics of this pack rock. It is super comfy, and stays close enough to my back when fully loaded that I feel comfortable spinning with it on. Other packs throw off my balance when I try to do tricks - maybe I just suck, but this pack doesn't do that to me. I dig the shovel blade pocket, and skin storage pocket inside.

Great ergos, not very durable. Price was pretty good, but not so if you consider that i will soon have to buy another pack after only 1.25 seasons worth of use. (About 80 days, +/-).

You can do worse, but you can do better.

[ptavv]

While I think the BCA pack has some neat things that the Dakine heli pro doesn't, I live in Portland and since Dakine's HQ is in Hood River it's not that far away.

I've got a bunch of Dakine packs, and every time I've had a problem (the webbing at the bottom of a shoulder strap got cut through by a ski edge once, and numerous other hard use inflicted problems) they've always replaced stuff for free. In fact my heli pro which had the ripped webbing, they didn't have the same color webbing, so they replaced all the webbing on the pack for me, then overnighted it to me in AK since I dropped it off before leaving on a trip to go up there, they didn't charge me a dime (even for shipping).

In short, whether I prefer another pack or not, I can't turn my back on that kind of service... unless I really really prefer another pack

[hop]

Allow me to plug the Indigo Reve... it's super cool. http://www.indigoequipment.com/images/Reve2005_450.jpg

Otherwise, I'm a fan of the BCA and Osprey stuff as well.

[Treepinner]

I'll second the Indigo Reve. It's a bit on the small side but has a great carrying system for skis and the hydration/skin pockets rule. BCA packs are over-rated: the hose/shoulder strap is a nuisance to use, suspension picks up snow, and the construction is mediocre.

[squirrelmurphy]

anyone have experience with the Jandd Mountaineering Tozi Kletter?

looks like a pretty sweet, simple pack. and comparatively very cheap

[Squatch]

thread resurrection: i got a north face shuttle 30 pack for christmas. it's decent until it's about half-full, and then all the functionality breaks down. can't carry skis, blah blah. also, it's impossible to thread a hose through the hydration opening, and the diagonal carry loops are kind of small (94mm waist-skis).

Anyone have on-snow experience with this pack? Do my complaints become problems, or does it end up doing well?

I was thinking about a BD Frenzy pack. Same price (I can return my north face pack, i believe/hope.) Anyone use this? I'd sometimes use it inbounds, and in the future use it for day trips in the BC. Would this pack fit that kind of use?

[connersw]

SAC -- if there's any left.

I've been carrying the Dakine Vertex for a little over 2-years now. Bomber pack. Slightly bigger than the Heli Pro (1300 cu in), but without the ability to carry a snowboard (which doesn't bother me in the slightest).

[bad_roo]

I'll say as I always have, get an Ortovox. This looks like a good size as well.

http://www.backcountry.com/store/ORT...1770cu-in.html

Looks like a sweet pack. I love my Ortovox Aquila pack. It's got a decent capacity but seems to remain low profile to your back. Easily enough room in there for my DSLR kit, probe, shovel, food, hoodie and a bladder. Not particularly high tech or showy but a rugged piece of kit.

[Telepath]

[spam]After getting a production version of this pack that to a large extent is built to spec by Glisseur, me and a few others, then I'm pretty happy...[/spam]



Other than that I used to be a huge fan of the DaKine Guide Pack, but my last two version lasted very few days compared to my first with probably some 500 heavy days on it. Seen some nice Ospreys too. I was very impressed with some of the Wookie packs I saw at the OR a while back, but have little practical experience with them.