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HFT, I was wondering that today as well. Are you riding with one these days?

I've been looking more and more into them lately. Don't think I'll pull the trigger quite yet, but the Mammut Ride I'm leaning towards due to its light weight design (2lbs more then normal packs at 5.3 pounds, thats like a liter of water), removable bag, and its not as expensive as other bags. Interested to see what Dakine comes out with next year too.

I'm just barely looking, so if I'm off base with Mammut's on weight, let me know. I am confused if that weight is with or without canister. But if people have experience with it, let me know.

I've already got my task lined up for next year's splitfest. Try to get as many Air Bag packs as possible for demo and for spliters to check out. I really like the idea of the air bag packs but feel like I need to wait just a little longer. It looks to me that some are really good air bags, and some are good packs but not both. Although the pulse seemed to be good at both. However, you can't buy that pack any more.

I don't know what the exact weight is of the Mammut bag, but two guys I frequently tour with rock one. They both say that the pack carries so much better than their Avalung packs, their load feels lighter. FWIW.

The only thing that bums me out is the Mammut bags don't have a hydration sleeve. Otherwise, they seem to be very well designed. Next years Mammut's bags at SIA looked very nice. BCA's packs were looking much improved and I believe they do have a hydration sleeve in the other shoulder strap. Their mechanism is way bigger than Mammut's though and heavier. Dakines airbags looked decent too, but I didn't dig into them as much.

I have the snow pulse 45l and love it. Carries gear well. The weight is a non issue for me.

If people are new to the backcountry I beg and plead for them to spend the money on Education before getting an ABS bag.

While they are great they are NOT a get out of an avalanche free card!

That being said I would love one if they packed well!

I really like the idea with the zip-on/zip-off pack of the ABS.
That way I can use a smaller 18-30L pack for day tours and a bigger 40-50L for multi-day tours.
That said, lots of the other packs on the market looks really nice.
Im hoping to pick one up for next year.

+1 , one needs the knowledge to assess/avoid avy conditions/terrain first

Would you recommend doing AST 2 before buying an air bag?

Looks like they use them now, I can't imagine what that waiver would have entailed. http://www.eaglepassheliskiing.com/safety/safety-gear/

I'm waiting for a better snowboard pack with the bag system. I like the option of vertical and horizontal board carry, among other things, and haven't found the right pack yet. Next season I'm sure there will be lots of companies happy to take my money and give me what I want!

No but a level one could be all the difference needed to not get yourself into an avalanche.

I appreciate where Kyle is coming from.

For the simple fact that they can and do save lives, I'm beginning to see airbags as standard for traveling in avalanche terrain--alongside beacons, probes, shovels, education, practice and careful, cautious judgment.

If at all possible, I think an airbag should be one of the pieces of equipment that one learns how to use at the outset of an education about traveling in avalanche terrain.

To the claims that an airbag will make you hit a tree:
-you don't have to pull the trigger in the trees... if you only ride in forested slopes, then forget about an airbag. But for most of us the point is to get into open terrain, where an airbag is useful if you have a safe runout (which should be at the top of your list in the first place)

To the claims that an airbag will propel you off a cliff:
-again you don't have to pull the handle in terrain which is ill suited to it. But a run with a cliff band under it isn't very smart line to begin with.

I removed this post for a rewrite. Aka a shorter and clearer version.