Splitboard.com Forums

BCR,

I decided to pick up those north face packs (yes, both of them, I know I have a problem) I took the Patrol out for a day hike today (its the bigger one) and I have to say I was pretty impressed. It is a comfy pack, and can fit about all you need for a nice all day slog, or possibly an overnighter if you pack well (it has two aluminum support rods behind the back panel). It has a dedicated shovel pocket, which is put towards the bottom of the pack, so the board should carry angled up towards your head, not your feet (one of my pet peeves). It also has a probe holster, and pretty good ski loops if youre into that. I dont think they are wide enough for the split, but you can rig the 2 board straps for a-frame carry.

I bought the smaller one for slackcountry or resort pow days.

Ill post up more after I do a board carry...

edit: Oh, and it has a cool dedicted skin pocket on the bottom of the pack

I saw the Outlaw on the wall at Gear Exchange in Burlington, VT, but didn't pull it off the wall. Unfortunately, Gear Exchange doesn't carry boards, so someonone would have to carry their board in with them to try it out.

Shep

I rock both of the north face packs, one is a 22L and the other is 35L, The north face has the best board carry system I have seen. Both of them lack back panel access but i don't have to much trouble getting my stuff out so long as i think about its placement. The both have good internal organization ie. bladder storage, avy eq. storage, goggle pockets and main storage. The patrol 35 has a great suspension system for carrying a load, the off chute 22 is also very comfortable but has less of a suspension system for carrying heavy loads, but it is also 22 liters how much stuff are you going to bring? Both have been great pakcs to use depending on what I needed to carry.

I'm looking at buying a Mammut Nirvana or a Respect. Does anyone have any experience with these?

My name is Sam and I too have a gear addiction. I have looked at what I thought was nearly the whole gamut of backcountry packs but these North Faces one are new to me. I have a long torso and that keeps me from enjoying most one-size-fits all packs. Would you say these two North Face packs are sized like most other packs or no?

Sam. You should be ok with the patrol. I have a longer torso too. Large t shirts are never long enough. Tha patrol rests comfortably at the hips, with room to spare on the shoulder straps. The off chute, not so much. I havent taken this pack out yet, but the waist strap is closer to the belly button on me. Hope this helps. Ill get a full review going after I use em with the board if you havent made your decision by then.

That's my biggest annoyance with one-size-fits-all backpacks. The waist strap ends up going around my damned stomach! Thanks for the descriptions of how the packs fit.

The Patrol does come in a medium and a large though. details and sizing chart

I had been thinking I'd get the Dakine Poacher, but I had a play with a Patrol in a shop a the weekend, and I'm edging towards that now.

I might wait for HikeForTurns' board carry report though. Especially if you've used the Poacher before, HFT?

although I just had another look at the north face sizing chart and it seems I'm their idea of a freak: 32in waist and 21in torso. Hmmm.

^ Large should be good for you too. I have similar dimensions. We are still waiting for snow here, but maybe Ill strap the board on and hike around my back yard, Im starting to get anxious....

Havent tried the poacher