Best Backpack for Snowbiking?

[DieselTwitch]

Im Looking for a new pack. Mine just don't seam to work for my snowbike. Any one want to share what they are using? Im looking at the KLIM Krew Pack and its little brother the NAC PAK.

Any one have any experience with these?

Also Im looking to store things like my shovel and probe on the tunnel on my bike any one done this?

 

[Rush44]

Only thing I will say is never store your shovel and probe on your machine. That life saving equipment needs to be on your person at all times when the seconds count.

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

 

[Revv Up]

I have been working real hard at going "pack free" just because it's got caught on tree branches and pulled me into a tree well.

My shovel handle is strapped to the Timbersled frame and the shovel mouth is on the MTN Addictions case, the probe on the same case on the holders supplied.

So far pack free has been easy and my back thanks me.

 

[Draxxus]

Seen a few people riding with shovels on there bikes. I bit my tongue but since we are on the topic rush 44 is right, always wear a back pack and always have your rescue gear in it . It's a non negotiable topic don't be an *** hat and compromise your safety or your riding partners to save a few pounds .


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[DieselTwitch]

Only thing I will say is never store your shovel and probe on your machine. That life saving equipment needs to be on your person at all times when the seconds count.

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

I agree to an extent. I just need to find a way to store stuff and like the next quote says having stuff on your pack can cause other problems. Also having a bunch of stuff on a pack can make for other hazards even in a slide having a big awkward pack can drag you under. I agree you should never put your beacon in your pack however.

I have been working real hard at going "pack free" just because it's got caught on tree branches and pulled me into a tree well.

My shovel handle is strapped to the Timbersled frame and the shovel mouth is on the MTN Addictions case, the probe on the same case on the holders supplied.

So far pack free has been easy and my back thanks me.

How did you attach it to your frame?
Got photos?
I only have the small pack and tank. Im also going to be adding 2 more fuel tanks to the tunnel. I will drop the tanks as I ride in to an area and pick them up on the way out.

 

[DieselTwitch]

Seen a few people riding with shovels on there bikes. I bit my tongue but since we are on the topic rush 44 is right, always wear a back pack and always have your rescue gear in it . It's a non negotiable topic don't be an *** hat and compromise your safety or your riding partners to save a few pounds .


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I don't really feel that putting your probe and shovel on the machine is a risk of any kind. The way i look at it is if your doing things right. Riding through a slide area one at a time and waiting in a safe zone and you see someone get taken out in a slide. you're with your gear anyways. I've always had a problem with my shovel hitting on my helmet or my back when I ride. To me this could cause major trama in a slide. so the risk is 50/50. In a slide you also want as little gear on you as possible.

I figure its like combat, You have to be comfortable with where you gear is at indoor to respond fast enough. I carried my ammo on my legs while other carried it on their chest. I felt I was faster and in the end thats all that mattered

 

[Uncle si]

Only thing I will say is never store your shovel and probe on your machine. That life saving equipment needs to be on your person at all times when the seconds count.

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

Airbag pack.

shovel and probe go in the pack or you don't ride with me.

 

[Revv Up]

Just a couple of velcro and webbing straps I made, will try to take some pics tomorrow.

 

[adamd1979]

HMK Backcountry has served me well and has a nice place for the shovel and such. Klim gear is awesome when it's protecting your body from the elements(I wear it all over), but a backpack is a backpack.

 

[TreewellDweller]

AVY-BAG WITH THE SHOVEL AND PROBE LOADED IN IT!
BETTER YET, THE NEW TEK VEST/AVI-BAG COMBINATION! I HAVEN'T PERSONALLY SEEN ONE OF THEM YET BUT HAVE HEARD ABOUT THEM. IT HAS ROOM FOR THE SHOVEL, PROBE, AND AN EXTRA PAIR OF GLOVES.

 

[Motogeek33]

I don't really feel that putting your probe and shovel on the machine is a risk of any kind. The way i look at it is if your doing things right. Riding through a slide area one at a time and waiting in a safe zone and you see someone get taken out in a slide. you're with your gear anyways. I've always had a problem with my shovel hitting on my helmet or my back when I ride. To me this could cause major trama in a slide. so the risk is 50/50. In a slide you also want as little gear on you as possible.

I figure its like combat, You have to be comfortable with where you gear is at indoor to respond fast enough. I carried my ammo on my legs while other carried it on their chest. I felt I was faster and in the end thats all that mattered

I think we're drifting off topic a bit here, but that beacon is also there to save your bacon. It's great that you're aware of all the safe riding practices to avoid getting caught in a slide, but if it does happen to you, don't forget that you'll almost certainly be separated from your machine by quite a distance. If your goal is to make sure your snowbike is recovered first and you don't mind spending an extra few hours buried, then I guess that's your call. LOL.

And if you think about it, it just makes sense to have that shovel in your pack and not on your machine. It's not that hard to imagine a scenario where your bike is buried under a mini-slide, no one else is around, and you can't dig it out because your shovel is buried too.

 

[DieselTwitch]

I think we're drifting off topic a bit here, but that beacon is also there to save your bacon. It's great that you're aware of all the safe riding practices to avoid getting caught in a slide, but if it does happen to you, don't forget that you'll almost certainly be separated from your machine by quite a distance. If your goal is to make sure your snowbike is recovered first and you don't mind spending an extra few hours buried, then I guess that's your call. LOL.

And if you think about it, it just makes sense to have that shovel in your pack and not on your machine. It's not that hard to imagine a scenario where your bike is buried under a mini-slide, no one else is around, and you can't dig it out because your shovel is buried too.

I think you miss understood my post... JUST my shovel and probe would mount to the machine. My beacon is always on my person. It's under my coat using a 3 point harness!

 

[vmax1200]

Been using the ABS 30 pack for six years now ,3 years on the snow bike ,if Im ever separated from the bike I have all my survival gear ,I figured the weight is only 30 pounds with gear ,plus the pack is real quality made I have snagged burnt tree branchs ,brush ,rock not even a sign of damage ,get a pack with YKK zippers and wide cushioned shoulder straps .

 

[goodtogo]

I went to a north face powder guide vest, my backpacks where allways getting caught in tree branches I really wouldn't support north face anymore but avi vest makes one without the air bag

 

[Motogeek33]

I think you miss understood my post... JUST my shovel and probe would mount to the machine. My beacon is always on my person. It's under my coat using a 3 point harness!

Sorry, my mistake... I guess my brain was thinking beacon when you said probe.

 

[jeffc]

I've been really happy with the klim back pack (medium one) but am going to get an avi pack. Right now the klim holds my food, extra gloves, camel bak, shovel and probe....so I'd probably recommend spending money for a potential life saving avi pack that will hold all of this too. What avi packs have good capacity?

 

[powderzone]

I really like the weight of the BCA 22L pack. An airbag is a small price to pay for a bit of insurance. Not sure why anyone would ride with safety gear attached to the sled / bike. A large slide can take out an entire group (even if you think you're in a safe zone). I'd hate to be the guy buried while some dude goes searching for his shovel buried with his ride. If you've ever tried to dig through avi debris without a shovel you'll know what I mean. You're buddy will be hooped. Wear a back brace or hit the gym if you need to but keep your gear on your person. My 2 cents.

 

[Jon Mutiger]

I agree, your probe and shovel have to be with you or they aren't you going to be any use.

With that said, the combined weight of a shovel and probe isn't even that much!

I wear a black diamond backpack. It's meant for hiking, but it has a wide neck/shoulder area at the straps, and the waist belt is solid enough to carry the weight of the pack. My shoulder straps really only keep the pack close to my back.

Saying a pack gets stuck in trees is silly. It's behind you and is pretty much never wider than your body. I can a poorly setup pack being restrictive on head movement, but if that's the case get the pack set up better. They make packs in different back lengths for a reason.

Jon

 

[goodtogo]

[QUOTE

Saying a pack gets stuck in trees is silly. It's behind you and is pretty much never wider than your body. I can a poorly setup pack being restrictive on head movement, but if that's the case get the pack set up better. They make packs in different back lengths for a reason.

Maybe I bought the wrong packs in the past but it always seemed like when ya duck your head down to go under something it always grabbed the pack

 

[DieselTwitch]

I went to a north face powder guide vest, my backpacks where allways getting caught in tree branches I really wouldn't support north face anymore but avi vest makes one without the air bag

Nice, I haven't seen those. I ride with an ogio vest in the summer so this looks like a great winter replacement! thanks