Need a new backpack

[shortstop20]

I'm looking for a new backpack. Here's a list of the stuff it needs to be able to do:

1) Able to carry head of shovel and shaft on the outside of pack. (It would be nice if I could just reach over my shoulder and grab them both)
2) Able to carry a hydration unit(one that won't freeze up, a sleeve to put the hose into would be nice but not a neccessity)
3) Needs to be able to hold a sweatshirt, extra baclava, pair of socks, gloves and goggles, emergency kit, etc.
4) Compartments on the waist strap would be nice too but not a neccessity.

I was looking at the TNA Lightning Pack, it looks kinda small though. Can I carry all of this stuff in there? I like the idea that you can put the shovel head in the mesh pocket and the ripcord will keep it from coming out. It seems none of the other's I've looked at allow this. It looks like most of them carry the shovel on the inside. Also keep in mind I'm a skinny guy, 6' 2" 170 lbs. so I can't have a big, wide bulky pack.

Anybody got any suggestions based on what I need in a pack?

Thanks,

Joel

 

[richyrich]

If you want the top of the line in Avalanche safety, go with the ABS pack, but they are a grand.

Really, go to the local board shop, look at a dekine pack. All differant sizes, camelback ready, and the big thing is they have a life time warranty. On sale, prices will be $30-75.00.

 

[shortstop20]

No thanks on the ABS pack.


I don't have any snowboard shops within 100 miles and I'm not driving there to get one unless I have to go to the city for some other reason. It doesn't seem to me that any of the Dakine packs let you carry the shovel on the outside of the pack anyways?

 

[MARCUSO]

A pack with a "grab 'n' go" shovel access is not a good thing.

If you were involved in a situation where you were in an avalanche, the outer shovel holders have been known to not hold your shovel if installed improperly.

I have a Dakine Poacher, shovel is inside for emergencies, and I plan to put a second for getting stuck on my sled. I am happy with it. it is large, and has a lot of compartments.

 

[Snoman69]

I have both the HMK and the Ogio Three6. The HMK is nice, but did not have enough storage for everything I carry. I picked up the Ogio and absolutely love it.

I got mine here, but they are currently out of stock.

 

[Reese]

Might be what your looking for...

Check out the camelbak Hellion pack and the Menace packs. They sound like exactly what you are looking for. I spent a week looking at various packs and decided to go with the Hellion. The only differences are pack volume 1478 cu in. (Hellion) vs. 1192 cu in. (Menace) and the fluid capacity 3L (hellion) vs 2.1L (menace). Hellion also has small pockets on waist strap. They both also have sleeves on the inside wall (one on each side vertically) to secure your probe and shovel handle if you choose to keep them inside the pack.

www.camelbak.com/index.cfm

click Sport-Recreation, click hydration packs, then ski/board.

Good luck!

 

[rynokron]

fly backcountry pack will do everything you listed. comes with water bladder included. i beat the crap out of one for 4 seasons, help up pretty good. just bought a new one.

 

[funjunkie]

I use the tna lightning and it works good for me . Caries plenty and is comfy it has d rings that hold the shoulder strapes on they make it easy to get on and off

 

[AkHockey10]

I like my HMK pack. would be nice to have a little bit more room. but, other than that i really like it. I carry a tow rope, two sets of extra gloves, extra goggles, batteries, 2 water bottles, knife, shoe laces, emergency kit, candy bars, chewy bars, strobe light, duct tape, lighter, e-blanket, e-reflective vest, then outside the pack i have my HMK probe, shovel and shaft and thats all i can think of at the moment. It does not get in the way at all, i can still throw my sled around just like i can if i dont have it on, i also dont really notice that i am wearing it either.

imo.

 

[catmandewe]

TNA Storm pack

I tried a bunch of packs, but after I tried the TNA Storm pack, I am done looking. I almost didn't buy it because I thought it was too big, but it is so comfortable, I forget that I have it on. I can carry everything I need and I still have room for other things, just in case I need it sometime.

 

[MARCUSO]

fly backcountry pack will do everything you listed. comes with water bladder included. i beat the crap out of one for 4 seasons, help up pretty good. just bought a new one.

exept for the storage thing. I owned one and it was hard to get much in those tiny packs. It started to tear, and the zippers failed.,

 

[HeadedNW]

We are trying the Ortovox packs this year..."Top Rider" carries shovel externaly , "Free Rider" has an internal pouch . Both fit the rest of your criteria they are pretty slim , the Top rider being more slim although the free rider has a touch more storage . I looked at the Dakines (made in china ) and the above metioned Camelbacks which I liked minus the waist belt and where they are made(china) . And got the Ortovox as they were made in Germany and the shoulder and waist belts were far superior to any others I had seen.

That's all I know about that.

 

[Cyle]

A pack with a "grab 'n' go" shovel access is not a good thing.

If you were involved in a situation where you were in an avalanche, the outer shovel holders have been known to not hold your shovel if installed improperly.

I have a Dakine Poacher, shovel is inside for emergencies, and I plan to put a second for getting stuck on my sled. I am happy with it. it is large, and has a lot of compartments.

Do you find the Poacher the enough room? I think i'm going to go with either the Poacher or the Guide, leaning towards the Guide because it's $20 more and like 25% bigger, but wouldn't mind hearing if you think it has enough room, pretty hard looking at pictures....

 

[Bagger]

I'm looking for a new backpack. Here's a list of the stuff it needs to be able to do:

1) Able to carry head of shovel and shaft on the outside of pack. (It would be nice if I could just reach over my shoulder and grab them both)
2) Able to carry a hydration unit(one that won't freeze up, a sleeve to put the hose into would be nice but not a neccessity)
3) Needs to be able to hold a sweatshirt, extra baclava, pair of socks, gloves and goggles, emergency kit, etc.
4) Compartments on the waist strap would be nice too but not a neccessity.



Anybody got any suggestions based on what I need in a pack?

Thanks,

Joel

Joel, You described the Lightning, with a couple of corrections.

1. You can't reach and grab the shovel. And I'm thinking that's a bad idea anyway as mentioned above. The shovel head will not come out of the bag that easy, and the handle is stored on the side of the bag in a really well thought out holder. I am also going to put a shovel on the sled for stucks as it's a pain to shed the pack dig out the shovel and restow.....

2. A bladder that wont freeze. Hum. We have tried everything, if you have the hose outside of the pack, it's gonna freeze. We have had good luck sticking the hose inside with the bladder and throwing in a "hothands" warmer.

3.Depending on the size of your emergency kit, the Lightning should hold all that.

4. If you want a compartment on the waist strap you will have to go with the Storm. Don't be intimidated with the size of the Storm, I'm far from skinny, I'll admit that, but the Storm is only 2 inches wider than the Lightning.

Both of these packs are the most overbuilt, toughest packs I have ever owned, and anyone that knows me will tell you that I have a thing for backpacks.

I use the Storm constantly. There are a few things to know.....

1. TNA gear is one of the finest company's to do business with you will ever find.
2. There are not a lot of pockets inside the pack. The main pocket, with a map pouch, the small shovel pocket, and the outside mesh pocket. There are a TON of ways to attach stuff to the outside. Also on the Storm there are two pockets on the waist belt.
3. The most comfortable pack I own, hands down. The mounting system for the straps is remarkably comfortable, and the pack stays put on your back, also it sheds very easily even without using the included quick release buckles on the straps.
4. The Storm has three straps on the pack it's self, two to compress/stabilize your load and one to strap on ski's/snowshoes, whatever.

Anyway, if your can't tell, I really like the TNA packs. Get somewhere and look at one before you decide.

Good luck finding what works for you! Bagger

 

[rynokron]

exept for the storage thing. I owned one and it was hard to get much in those tiny packs. It started to tear, and the zippers failed.,

wow, how much stuff do you bring? i agree it's not huge, but i have quite a bit of stuff in mine. no problem with zippers. it did tear after a few seasons. i think mostly from hanging it to dry still loaded up. not nessesaraly the best one, just will do everything he asked about.

 

[MARCUSO]

Well I used to make fun of Randy when he had a huge pack.

They do not weigh more, and when you do a recreational ride, with no threats on spendin' the night, then I guess the fly would do.

I was involved in an ordeal where a forum member ab_summit climbed to the top of a hill, only to find himself on top of a cornice... a very experienced rider.

He fell 260 feet and broke his leg in 2 places.

He spent the night, and luckily he had sufficient gear to survive. we could not reach him... It was something that could have happened to anyone. I was right behind him.

I have a first aid kit, a small coghlan's tarp, lots of extra clothes and food/water/survival stuff for spending the night... or 2... plus all the other normal stuff.

You get separated from your sled and stuck in a predicament like his... and you wish your pack was bigger..

I took it for granted that I had enough in the fly pac... but it is always better to look at it than look for it.

 

[jlowe]

i went to the TNA storm pack this year and LOVE it. plenty of room for all my camera crap, shovel stays inside (except for the handle which has a cool quick release thingy on the side), and has tons of storage and comppartments. the outside storage is seam-sealed and its very comfy.

jeff

 

[IdahoMike]

Dakine Heli Pro II

 

[rynokron]

Well I used to make fun of Randy when he had a huge pack.

They do not weigh more, and when you do a recreational ride, with no threats on spendin' the night, then I guess the fly would do.

I was involved in an ordeal where a forum member ab_summit climbed to the top of a hill, only to find himself on top of a cornice... a very experienced rider.

He fell 260 feet and broke his leg in 2 places.

He spent the night, and luckily he had sufficient gear to survive. we could not reach him... It was something that could have happened to anyone. I was right behind him.

I have a first aid kit, a small coghlan's tarp, lots of extra clothes and food/water/survival stuff for spending the night... or 2... plus all the other normal stuff.

You get separated from your sled and stuck in a predicament like his... and you wish your pack was bigger..

I took it for granted that I had enough in the fly pac... but it is always better to look at it than look for it.

i remeber reading about that. i have mine loaded up pretty good with extra cloths food ect. that's probably why it ripped out. lol. mine is pretty heavy as it is. i try to balance it out. bring the important stuff only. xtra socks, thermal shirt, heavy gloves, emergency blanket, small first aid kit, flares, full bag of jerky and some power bars. along with some other stuff. got it all jammed into the fly pack...

 

[rasp112]

camelbak menace

I have the camelback meanace and absoultely love it.. the hose and nosel zip into the right shoulder strap.. It doesnt freeze and i have been out on some cold days.. The shovel head and handle can both be put on the outside of the pack.. It has planty of room for the things you want to carry and there numerous straps to cinch it all down tight.. There is no storage on the waist strap.. But overall i think that is what you are looking for.. The pack is very high quality too.. I think i bought mine for around $75.. well worth it in my opinion