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First off, I have been using a Dakine Heli-pro for the past 3 winters and have loved it. But it isn't made with snowmobiling in mind. The HMK pack is most definitely made for the sledhead!
First impression - Looks: Well, I love that it has pink on it. A pink shovel that matches too! Thanks to HMK for thinking of us girls! The top handle is nicely constructed (sturdy) to hang on the hooks of our enclosed trailer, I don't worry about it ripping apart.
2nd impression - Filling the bugger up. It took all that I needed to put in it and left room for more. (see list below) It has many compartments and pockets to keep things separated, organized and in place.
3rd impression - Riding with it on. I never felt it there! It fits very well and comfortably. When I overheated and removed my coat I could feel the benefit of the padding on the back keeping it from laying flat on my back and allowing some air to move through there. Very nice!
We had a nasty trail ride home (10 miles??) and it did not wear me out. I have a messed up upper back/ shoulder/ neck area and usually by the end of the day I can really feel fatigue (onto spasms) in this region and did not with this pack!
4th impression - ease of use: Had to pull the old shovel out quite a few times (not for me!). It has a pouch on the back and allowed fast and easy access. Getting to other items with in the pack was made easier since everything has it's place. No having to rifle through stuff to get to stuff. lol
5th- HMK is to be commended for their great support: HMK is donating part of their proceeds from anything pink sold to the Pink Ribbon Riders. HMK is a great supporter of many riders and many causes. 2 thumbs up to them!
And while I'm making this post with women in mind (Xmas presents for your favorite sledchick guys!! hint hint), this packs is most definitely not made specifically for women! They have boy colors too!
Now, I am a taller chick so I realize that packs fit me better than the smaller framed gal. Here's a few comments from a couple other (smaller) sledchicks.
live2ride: I love my HMK pack!!! I have a much smaller torso than B, and still think it fits well. I have had a Camelbak, Polaris, Ortovox, and North Face back packs and the HMK is by far the best yet!!! The Polaris was the best out of my old packs. When I got my HMK last year I noticed the difference the first ride, I usually have the pack loaded with almost as much stuff as B, and it rests on my low low back/butt!!! The HMK sat way better than any of the other packs, my back did not hurt at all. I agree...way to go HMK!!!
Powdercurlgirl: No complaints from the Marmot either Man!!! Stellar Pack, I do really like how it rides off my back, I really don't know it is there, and it is stuffed to the gills. I do like it better than the TNA pack, but I'm sure that's just the pref thing, it just seems to adjust and sit better. And I must agree so nice to have the shovel right there handy!!!!!
Just for reference, here's what I have in my pack:
small first aid kit
gloves
goggles
handwarmers & bodywarmers
socks
HMK (PINK ) shovel
probe
Flagging tape
rope
duct tape
electrical tape
wire
mirror
whistle
compass
thermometer
some funky wire saw contraption
knife
flashlight
Fire starter firesticks
matches
flint just in case
snacks
Space Blanket (one small one big)
bivy sack for warmth (SnoJo's)
beanie
Chapstick
zipties
spare nut and bolt kit
Snobunjie folding saw
Rhino 530
rubber gloves
shop rag
spare goggle strap
spare quick strap parts
spare goggle lens
spare batteries
2 carabeeners and 40' of webbing
First impression - Looks: Well, I love that it has pink on it. A pink shovel that matches too! Thanks to HMK for thinking of us girls! The top handle is nicely constructed (sturdy) to hang on the hooks of our enclosed trailer, I don't worry about it ripping apart.
2nd impression - Filling the bugger up. It took all that I needed to put in it and left room for more. (see list below) It has many compartments and pockets to keep things separated, organized and in place.
3rd impression - Riding with it on. I never felt it there! It fits very well and comfortably. When I overheated and removed my coat I could feel the benefit of the padding on the back keeping it from laying flat on my back and allowing some air to move through there. Very nice!
We had a nasty trail ride home (10 miles??) and it did not wear me out. I have a messed up upper back/ shoulder/ neck area and usually by the end of the day I can really feel fatigue (onto spasms) in this region and did not with this pack!
4th impression - ease of use: Had to pull the old shovel out quite a few times (not for me!). It has a pouch on the back and allowed fast and easy access. Getting to other items with in the pack was made easier since everything has it's place. No having to rifle through stuff to get to stuff. lol
5th- HMK is to be commended for their great support: HMK is donating part of their proceeds from anything pink sold to the Pink Ribbon Riders. HMK is a great supporter of many riders and many causes. 2 thumbs up to them!
And while I'm making this post with women in mind (Xmas presents for your favorite sledchick guys!! hint hint), this packs is most definitely not made specifically for women! They have boy colors too!
Now, I am a taller chick so I realize that packs fit me better than the smaller framed gal. Here's a few comments from a couple other (smaller) sledchicks.
live2ride: I love my HMK pack!!! I have a much smaller torso than B, and still think it fits well. I have had a Camelbak, Polaris, Ortovox, and North Face back packs and the HMK is by far the best yet!!! The Polaris was the best out of my old packs. When I got my HMK last year I noticed the difference the first ride, I usually have the pack loaded with almost as much stuff as B, and it rests on my low low back/butt!!! The HMK sat way better than any of the other packs, my back did not hurt at all. I agree...way to go HMK!!!
Powdercurlgirl: No complaints from the Marmot either Man!!! Stellar Pack, I do really like how it rides off my back, I really don't know it is there, and it is stuffed to the gills. I do like it better than the TNA pack, but I'm sure that's just the pref thing, it just seems to adjust and sit better. And I must agree so nice to have the shovel right there handy!!!!!
Just for reference, here's what I have in my pack:
small first aid kit
gloves
goggles
handwarmers & bodywarmers
socks
HMK (PINK ) shovel
probe
Flagging tape
rope
duct tape
electrical tape
wire
mirror
whistle
compass
thermometer
some funky wire saw contraption
knife
flashlight
Fire starter firesticks
matches
flint just in case
snacks
Space Blanket (one small one big)
bivy sack for warmth (SnoJo's)
beanie
Chapstick
zipties
spare nut and bolt kit
Snobunjie folding saw
Rhino 530
rubber gloves
shop rag
spare goggle strap
spare quick strap parts
spare goggle lens
spare batteries
2 carabeeners and 40' of webbing
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