Install the app
How to install the app on iOS

Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.

Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.

  • Don't miss out on all the fun! Register on our forums to post and have added features! Membership levels include a FREE membership tier.

snow pulse or ABS

X

xteam

Member
lookin at a new pack there is a good deal on escapes around but im torn between snow pulse highmark/ abs escape 15 and abs vario 15. what are your thoughts
 
I bought the Snowpulse avy vest. I REALLY like it. Seems heavy packing it out to the truck but when I put it on I don't notice the weight at all. Also, like the chest and shoulder protection and front pockets. It shows about 15L or less storage but its big enough for everything i want to carry on my back. I am 6'4" and most packs don't fit me at all, the vest fits great. My son is about 6' and he likes the fit too.
 
lookin at a new pack there is a good deal on escapes around but im torn between snow pulse highmark/ abs escape 15 and abs vario 15. what are your thoughts


Both are good packs and very reliable. I recommend the Snowpulse Highmark 22 for the head and neck trauma protection and after a ton of research. I like the Snowpulse bags so much that I started selling them. Best in the business.
 
I am surprised snow pulse is still sealing the idea that an air bag is going to protect your neck and head. I have been involved with avy bags for a long time and no bag will protect you from hitting something hard. The only thing that will protect your head is a helmet and neck a neck brace!

The best way to see which bag you would like it try both on in a shop, blow them both off and see which you like when inflated and see which is easier and simpler to fold back up and re-load.
 
Norona I don't agree. Those bags are tough, can't help but protect the back of your head and neck, especially with a helmet on. I know that I could take a hit from a baseball bat through the bag while wearing a helmet with NO injury, without the bag it would be unpleasant... Anything that would cushion a hard surface like a tree or rock and my helmet is better than nothing and a big pillow of air seems like the perfect "thing".
 
Norona I don't agree. Those bags are tough, can't help but protect the back of your head and neck, especially with a helmet on. I know that I could take a hit from a baseball bat through the bag while wearing a helmet with NO injury, without the bag it would be unpleasant... Anything that would cushion a hard surface like a tree or rock and my helmet is better than nothing and a big pillow of air seems like the perfect "thing".

X2.
I got the Snowpulse for the simple reason that it might help stop trama. The only down side is it may stop you from swimming in a avey on your belly. I'm assuming it will put you on your back so you may have to backstroke.
 
I am surprised snow pulse is still sealing the idea that an air bag is going to protect your neck and head. I have been involved with avy bags for a long time and no bag will protect you from hitting something hard. The only thing that will protect your head is a helmet and neck a neck brace!

The best way to see which bag you would like it try both on in a shop, blow them both off and see which you like when inflated and see which is easier and simpler to fold back up and re-load.

Arent you sponsored by ABS?
What excatly is Snowpulse stealing?
Make some valid points about why you think having a giant balloon around your head, neck and chest in an avalanche wouldnt be a good idea.
 
Last edited:
Norona stated they were sealing the idea, not stealing. I like the idea of the head and neck trauma. I think the snowpulse would help for hitting and bouncing off rocks, but the bag it would be no match for an avalanche taking you into, and probably not through the trees. I chose the abs freeride 4L for the companies history,track record and ease of visibility and mobility while the bag is inflated.
 
That was my first pack as well.
The 15 is a good little pack, just didn't have enough storage room for me in it.
 
a couple thoughts on the two:

the new 15L ABS bags seem to have more volume and a dedicated avy tool pocket. this year the flotation bag is easier to repack because they are using a new material that is tougher, thinner and less susceptible to temperature hardening. they still use a pyrotechnic handle to initiate the puncture on the cylinder and while reliable may still be a problem flying with. new lite carbon fiber canisters coming out this winter in the U.S. (may fit other manufacturers as well).
* the pack section may be easily changed for around $50-100 to accommodate multiple uses.

the snowpulse seems to be more durable in longevity of the pack. they also have a removable airbag system but the cost of another size pack is more. you can fill the canisters yourself or at most scuba centers locally for less than the abs. there is a gauge to verify how full the tank is, so you don't need to weigh it. nothing to disarm from the trigger, so less likely to inadvertently trigger the system.


both have pros and cons. bottom line, get on that fits you and has the features you like.

hope this helps
 
Last edited:
so, after calling around it seems like the problem was with the units that had gauges. i don't know which ones in particular but snowpulse has done some replacement of their gauges to prevent this from becoming an issue.

so, if you have gauges on your canisters you should check them. at room temperature your gauge should read full, green or at its peak. outside in the cold temps it should drop but only by around 10%, which is normal. it should then return to full after warming. if you are measuring weight, that should not change provided the outside of the bottle is clean.

weight seems like to be a good way to go as a backup to check the accuracy of a gauge as well.
 
Arent you sponsored by ABS?
What excatly is Snowpulse stealing?
Make some valid points about why you think having a giant balloon around your head, neck and chest in an avalanche wouldnt be a good idea.

Yes I am a sponsored athlete with ABS and if you read many of my post they are written for people to buy the pack that suits them after they try them all out which is the best way to buy anything. I have done a lot of work with airbags and the speed you would hit a tree or rocks at in an avalanche is much much greater than a baseball bat. Regardless of brand BCA Snowpulse or ABS these bags might not with stand that kind of hit, which I am only stating. I guess if you hit that hard you might no be around to see if the bag protected you or not.

I personally don't like a bag that goes around my neck and head because it limits my field of vision.

I know the guys at snowpulse and I do stuff with BCA as well and they all make great gear, it is always your choice. I spend 5000km per winter with the bag on my back and many more days on skis as well and blow of over 100 each year to help guys out so I think I am pretty versed in the technology. But I have been wrong many times so just expressing my opinion on air bags in general not against the brand. Again buy what you think works the best for you. Happy Riding.:beer; :canada:
 
Well said.

Just to clarify, you'd forego the potential head, neck and chest protection that a Snowpulse bag would offer so that you could see the rock or tree that the avalanche was aboout to smash your head/neck/chest into? Sound logic.
 
I agree with sixohfour! That was well said! Look, let's cut right to the chase. An Avy bag is better than NO Avy bag, but be realistic in the reasons for buying a particular type of bag. Would I like something around my neck and head if I were to hit something like a tree or a rock? That question doesn't even require any thought! What are you thinking... NO I don't want anything that might soften the blow of a blunt object! You have to be kidding me. There is also something that no one has mentioned. If in fact your were buried with a Snowpulse bag and you were lucky enough not to hit anything on the way down, the Snowpulse bags that comes down on each side of your helmet and chest area create huge air pockets that are close to your face. I like that! The ABS bags are in the rear, behind your helmet. So if your laying face down in the snow, the pocket of air is behind you, plus there is no protection around the helmet, only the back. And one more thing based on common sense. If you trigger an Avy and you'rE on your way down, and you know you're in an Avy, there's no looking left or right or maybe I should go there!
Your best bet is to pull the avy trigger,keep your eyes forward and head striaght down if you can. It's not likely that your going to ride it out. Then pray! Go to utube and pull up Thunderstruck avalanche Trennis Baer. This will make the hair on your neck stand up! I will be buying a snowpulse bag this year!
 
Last edited:
Premium Features



Back
Top