Splitboard.com Forums

I'm currently in the market for a pack that can support a day-trip of splitboarding. Looking at Osprey Switch 14, Arcteryx M20, etc. for size and features.

Any recommendations, requirements, suggestions, reviews of your own packs?

My shopping requirements:
hydration bladder compatible
durable
lighter weight
good compression/board attachment
pole lashes
dedicated stash pocket for shovel

thanks in advance

- ryan

If only you had checked out steepandcheap.com last night.

I have both the Osprey Ceres 70 (for camping/mountaineering) and the Ceres 38 for splitboard daytrips.

It has everything you're looking for except a good method for carrying the board....but I'd think that would be low on the list since you have a splitboard. Anyway, it's a very durable pack with a bevy of outside pockets, sleeves and straps to attach stuff to and hold stuff on.




This picture makes it look huge though. Here it is on me....I'm 6'2".

I wouldnt recommend putting your shovel in your "stash" pocket. With all the vibration and rubbing it will pulverize your"stash" and all youll have is powder in your baggie

The Osprey packs are super sweet.

The BCA stash models are gaining popularity. Especially out here where it get's really cold. They do seem to keep your hydration line from freezing.

I have good luck with Dakine Packs too. I am currently using a poacher. It carries well and is very light.

All of these packs have the bells and whistles you were looking for.

I just picked up a Bergans of Norway Backcounty Guide 32L daypack.




It is amazing, previously i was always carring way to much crap w/ me into the backcounty. Back pannel access is perfect for keeping your skins close to the body and tacky, as well as accessing all contents of the pack. hydration sleeve is in kind of a weird spot due to the opening panel but easy to deal w/. the dual sleaves for ice axe or shovel are sweet as well and compliment the front pocket which fits the shovel face quite nice. Also interior compartments keep things organized well.

also if you need to boot pack or climb out of skin mode i.e. rope up etc. this pack has a number of lashing options

I am very happy w/ how well this pack rides on the descent. I hate having a "flop" in my packs, this one rides real close to the body while allowing complete free motion.

Check em out if you have a local retailer.

best of luck to ya

P.S. the pack weighs in just over 3 lbs.

http://www.bergans.no/sider_eng/start.htm

i have been using a brenthaven backpack which is awsome. totally bomber. really well thought out shovel/axe storage too. cant post a picture do to thier flash site though.

http://www.brenthaven.com/store/flash/flash.html

look at the "urban line" section

I think the dakine packs are pretty nice.

I had a guide, which I quickly sold. It had way more volume then you need for a day trip, and was too tall for me. Even at 6'2", I'd hit my head on it when looking up.

I got an older dakine poacher, which is just about right. it's big enough to slide my helmet in to keep it dry, which is nice.

It has all of your needs, but may not be lighter weight. It carries boards vert, horizontal, or split in A-frame mode, possibly also diag, but I haven't checked to see if they fit.

The back access zip is kind of nice if you have it fully loaded, or you need to get in there when the board is on the pack, but I don't use it when I don't have much in the pack.

I think the new models have a shovel pocket. Mine does not, but it has straps that will hold it tight.

I have the Bergans of norway pack too and can vouch that it is an excelent choice. No outside shovelpocket but I have come to prefer this anyway. Only thing I dont like is the way it holds poles but once I worked it out it actualy works quite well. Once I cinch down the straps I have no annoying rattling like my partners and Very little bulk. I can hear those guys coming a hundred yards away! Anyone have recomendations on multi day packs and gear?

I really like my Osprey Switch 25 +5. I seem to remember that BCR uses a Switch 14. A while back there was a thread on what we carry in our packs.
http://talk.splitboard.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=1150 I can't believe what he fits into that thing. I like something a bit bigger. This pack has been about perfect for me, if anything, I've occasionally wished it were a tad bigger but the Switch 42 is probably too big for a day pack.

Check out the Snowstorm 30L from Mammut
http://www.mammut.ch/mammut/katalog.asp ... 3872&sid=2. Good design and well thought out features.

Wait til next fall.
Check out one of the Avalung Packs from BD.

Exciting packs to see but they wont get my money until they have snowboard carrying capability.

Minus props to BD for this oversight.