BCA Float 18 users, please step inside
- Thread starter Blk88GT
- Start date
It is small and lightweight. Carries everything I want to carry in my pack(which isn't much, trying to keep the weight off my back). Same size airbag as a bigger pack. Fits me pretty well and I am tall with a long torso, pretty adjustable for a comfortable fit.
18
I didn't like the fit and feel of it when I first got it. I thought they should have made the bag a bit longer. I have ridden with it twice now and now feel it is the bag I was looking for. My FLOAT30 was big and bulky and I found myself carrying more than I wanted to. The 18 is just right, compact but still carries shovel, probe, spare gloves, goggles, snowbunjie, FOXSHOK, towstrap and the waist pockets carry leatherman, lighter, nofog, elec tape, etc... If your one that travels far back then the 30 would be better just for the sake of carrying more gear.
I didn't like the fit and feel of it when I first got it. I thought they should have made the bag a bit longer. I have ridden with it twice now and now feel it is the bag I was looking for. My FLOAT30 was big and bulky and I found myself carrying more than I wanted to. The 18 is just right, compact but still carries shovel, probe, spare gloves, goggles, snowbunjie, FOXSHOK, towstrap and the waist pockets carry leatherman, lighter, nofog, elec tape, etc... If your one that travels far back then the 30 would be better just for the sake of carrying more gear.
I really like the compact size of the Float 18, and the rip cord (best feature IMO I ride heavy trees and don't foresee accidental deployment.)
In the 18 i carry; shovel, probe, first aid and night out gear, extra goggles, gloves, and lunch.
Only things I don't like are; the color- it doesn't match my gear or sled, and the air bag breakaway zipper, I've had branches rip it open on several occaisions (I fixed this with 3 small strips of gorilla tape over the zipper, I test deployed the bag with this fix and it didn't impair function at all.)
In the 18 i carry; shovel, probe, first aid and night out gear, extra goggles, gloves, and lunch.
Only things I don't like are; the color- it doesn't match my gear or sled, and the air bag breakaway zipper, I've had branches rip it open on several occaisions (I fixed this with 3 small strips of gorilla tape over the zipper, I test deployed the bag with this fix and it didn't impair function at all.)
I just got mine and the velcro opened up while adjusting the rear straps in my hotel room and the bag popped out (not inflated)!
I've got to be missing something as far as repacking too. It's like putting 20lbs of **** in a 5lb pack. It's outrageously difficult. Am I the only one?
I'm not thrilled so far....
I've got to be missing something as far as repacking too. It's like putting 20lbs of **** in a 5lb pack. It's outrageously difficult. Am I the only one?
I'm not thrilled so far....
8
8summit8
New member
My group bought 5 of the BCA Float 18 bags this year, my personal opinion is they are to small, I pack a shovel, probe, first aid kit, spare gloves, and one spare set of goggles and it is packed full. I had to let the shoulder straps all the way out or it would rip the zipper open when you stretched your back. 3 of our 5 guys with them had the ripcord out all the time and 2 accidentally deployed there bags digging out or helping someone else dig out. Packing the deployed bag is a hassle but 2 guys working on it only takes a few minutes.
BCA 18
They are small but after hauling the 30 on my back last year it's what I was looking for. I carry a shovel, probe, snowbunjie, tow strap, 2 pair of gloves, extra goggles,small roll duct tape, small first aid kit and the waist pockets carry leatherman, electrical tape and some no fog stuff. Not to fond of the zipper coming apart tho!
They are small but after hauling the 30 on my back last year it's what I was looking for. I carry a shovel, probe, snowbunjie, tow strap, 2 pair of gloves, extra goggles,small roll duct tape, small first aid kit and the waist pockets carry leatherman, electrical tape and some no fog stuff. Not to fond of the zipper coming apart tho!
To short! Tried it at a show and needed the shoulder straps all the way out, and I did not have my riding gear on. 6' 2" and 210 pounds. I think the 30 is also to short. The 36 fits the best, but to is to big.
Rick I thought the same thing. Bought it for a spare. I am 6' 4" and after getting it home and adjusting it I think it fits great. I am really long in the torso too so my 6' 4" is like a normal 8' 4". I am using a Snowpulse Avy vest most of the time. Man that thing is heavy. Takes two people to put it in the trailer. Surprisingly is doesn't feel heavy on your back. Also, even though I have bladder in it with 1.5L of water to start the day it doesn't get lighter most of the time I ride. As I drink the back must soak up water from snowfall. Love the storage on the vest. I am going to try the 18 next ride. I bet my legs thank me.
5'8" here & thought the opposite. Sold the 30 a day after I bought it. don't like the part sticking up above the straps.
I love how the 18 fits. Great pack, good medium size. I've got an 18, an escape 15, and a vario pack with 15 & 55 backs & I think the 18 is a perfect day pack.
I would never buy another 30.. hated that pack, and can't imagine buying a 36... I'd rather have an 18, and then buy a tunnel bag or something for the extra gear. (obviously not avy gear, but that fits in the 18 without question with space to spare.)
After riding with it for a week, it's grown on me. The only two things I don't like are the main buckle and the camera pack.
I find the main buckle clunky and hard to tighten up the pack sufficiently. Compared to my Dakine pack, this one bounces all over the place because I can't get enough tension on it.
The small pouches off to the sides are too small for my camera (it was fine with my Dakine) and I find it too far off to the side to be of any use getting the camera in and out.
I did find that I had to let the staps out quite a bit to to keep the bag from popping the zipper on it's own, but it seems ok now.
I find the main buckle clunky and hard to tighten up the pack sufficiently. Compared to my Dakine pack, this one bounces all over the place because I can't get enough tension on it.
The small pouches off to the sides are too small for my camera (it was fine with my Dakine) and I find it too far off to the side to be of any use getting the camera in and out.
I did find that I had to let the staps out quite a bit to to keep the bag from popping the zipper on it's own, but it seems ok now.
funny... I usually wear my ABS pack... and the buckle is one of the things I wish I could take from the BCA & put on my ABS!!!!
What is the camera pack btw? maybe I'm missing something on mine?
Not sure if it's an 18L but this girl got lucky given the forecast and terrain associated.
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The trailhead to there is about 5 min from my office... glad I was at WORK instead of out riding that day. That day is a great example of group dynamics.
They were there with the purpose of having a backcountry extreme contest (completely low key, no money, nothing official, just some bros hanging out & "competing") A bunch of those guys were my friends, one of my friends took a S&R ride out for a broken Femur (not slide related)... not a fun day.
They ALL knew the danger, they ALL knew it was a bad idea.. but it was a weekday, they had all scheduled to be there, it was a strong crew... and instead of making the decision that most of them would have had it been just them & a friend or two, they kept going. There were two slides that day... which really tells you how far it went, that ONE didn't stop them.
That was her FIRST day ever wearing that bag, and she pulled it. Good to see it making a difference!
I use the side pouches on the main strap to put my camera in. Maybe I just need a new camera and this is a sign to get with the times
I use the side pouches on the main strap to put my camera in. Maybe I just need a new camera and this is a sign to get with the times
Weird... I can't get mine to fit in there...???
Must be a problem with the pouch on mine!
Y
yamahaboy701
Well-known member
This is the only complaint I have about mine so far (well maybe it being too easy to pull??). I have blown it three times, twice on accident(once on my mtn handlebar strap, and once on a tree branch in some tight woods riding.)
I have repacked it over 10 times now and still can't get it to stay in. I must be doing something wrong.. I just jam it in and the zipper closes very easy but yet when riding the Velcro gives out and the zipper opens a little.
