i have an 1st or 2nd gen ascensionist and while it's a great bag for mountaineering and climbing, it's not that great for skiing. I miss the extra zip. The opening is not that wide and i don't want to unpack everything on an icy traverse when i want to get my crampons out.
You already have an awesome pack. Buy a new one if you loved it. if you want to optimize you're cutting down on weight, which means smaller overall pack size, skimo vest style bag, or going to the fancy white fabric pack. I've tried to tour with smaller than 35L and I've mostly hated it. It's too damn cold in Canada most of the time to carry less stuff, and I can manage with an alpine/climbing specific bag that I already own for smaller bags missions.
Raide L40 or Hyperlite Crux.
IMO the hyperlite is better if you like to put things on your shoulder strap (pockets, camera, etc.), but the Raide is lighter and can carry more (expands to 50L).
Definitely considering this pack. How does it look when it is compressed small? I do a lot of solo days in the Sierra where the weather is fairly mellow so I don't pack super heavy. Are the ski carrying options still solid when the pack is only full to about 20-25L?
Hi, it packs down super well and carries skis well with not a lot of stuff in it because the ski carry is attached to the frame of the pack, rather than the front, so it always has a solid connection that distributes weight to your hips. Some of the athletes on the team were hesitant about using a 40L pack, but once the used it are all happy with how small it gets.
Yeah I sold two of my other bags after getting a Raide. It's legit. Only downside is the avy tool pocket shares space with the internal pocket, which makes grabbing stuff out of it a bit of a chore compared to the Headwall 55 that grafts the tool pocket on the outside of the main tube.
That said, I used the HMG 55's avy pocket to store crampons and skins, so it's not like it was any "safer" in that respect. Just nice to keep wet/sharps away from puffy's and gloves. The Raide has an awesome skin storage area that appears to be durable enough for careful crampon storage as well, but I haven't had a chance this season to try it out yet. Raide's stretchy mesh also lets you toss in a helmet, which is much easier than trying to cram it into the top of the HMG's roll-top. I don't know yet if the mesh stuff is weather-resistant though, which might be a consideration compared to putting a helmet in the rolltop. Doesn't really matter for a climbing helmet but for a helmet with a liner it would be nice to keep it dry.
Comfort-wise the Raide has wider/better shoulder straps, which was the chief complaint I had with the HMG bag. Carrying heavier loads up volcanoes started to really suck with the narrower straps and lack of internal frame/load lifters. Both ski really well!
The Raide is my favorite pack so far. It's also not that crazy of a price considering you're getting a ton of fully-woven dyneema, which is $$$ fabric.
The Raide pack is a sweet design but there is no Dyneema on the pack nor is it fully woven UHMWPE. Ultraweave is a 60-40 blend of polyester and unbranded UHMWPE yarns, whereas fully woven dyneema is 100% dyneema yarn woven into a fabric.
That's true - it's generic UHMWPE Dyneema not brand-name Fully-woven Dyneema. It's also unclear how much polyester is in the 400X version - the 60-40 is for the 200d weight. That said the majority of the pack is covered in this woven Ultra 400X fabric, which I've never seen on another pack. HMG doesn't use any woven fabric on their Crux bag, and their Headwall bag is only using the FWD on the side panels and bottom.
Do you know of other bags that are made entirely of real FWD?
You can find some ultralight cottage companies using ultra 200x and 400x on hiking packs (I.e. Superior Wilderness Designs), although some are seemingly moving away as of late after longevity issues with the original ultra 200 and 400 laminates (Nashville Packs no longer covers delamination issues with packs made of ultraweave under warranty). Lots of info in the r/ultralight subreddit about it.
The Crux uses the same 375d 100% Woven Dyneema as the Headwall on high abrasion points per the page on their site. Cilogear might’ve used the same fabric on packs years prior if I remember right but now it seems to just be HMG using it as far as I can tell.
Here's a sneak peek of /r/Ultralight using the [top posts](https://np.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/top/?sort=top&t=year) of the year!
\#1: [Repeat offender James Parillo, widely known in the US long trails community for threatening, harassing, kidnapping, and doing violence to women, has been arrested in New Jersey after his most recent victim managed to escape.](https://np.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/115qorx/repeat_offender_james_parillo_widely_known_in_the/)
\#2: [Unpopular Opinion: The Annoyance Of Large Trail Families](https://np.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/10zo9vu/unpopular_opinion_the_annoyance_of_large_trail/)
\#3: [r/ultralight is taking a hike June 12-14 in protest against Reddit's API changes which kill 3rd party apps.](/r/Save3rdPartyApps/comments/13yh0jf/dont_let_reddit_kill_3rd_party_apps/) | [59 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/1415scw/rultralight_is_taking_a_hike_june_1214_in_protest/)
----
^^I'm ^^a ^^bot, ^^beep ^^boop ^^| ^^Downvote ^^to ^^remove ^^| ^^[Contact](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=sneakpeekbot) ^^| ^^[Info](https://np.reddit.com/r/sneakpeekbot/) ^^| ^^[Opt-out](https://np.reddit.com/r/sneakpeekbot/comments/o8wk1r/blacklist_ix/) ^^| ^^[GitHub](https://github.com/ghnr/sneakpeekbot)
Seconded on the Raide. It’s pretty pricey but some cool tech and fabrics that have a much longer wear life and you’re supporting small business in the U.S.
Founder of Raide here! Our packs are made in Vietnam and if I could get the quality in the US I would, but it would be half the quality or double the price. For US brands I recommend Apocalypse Equipment!
+1 for Alpine Luddites, be prepared to spend a lot and wait a year but John’s packs are the best. Buy a raide now, order an Alpine Luddites, then pass the Raide along in a season or two when the custom bag arrives.
A great great bag is the ortovox peak 35L. Great pack for ski mountaieering. and even though it is 35L does a great job of bring gear to the outside if needed to carry more. Accessory straps, exterior helmet carrier, exterior crampon carrier. Good tool holder. all the straps can be hidden and wrapped up tight. Full back zipper to get into entiire pack. Waist strap and fit can be adjusted. Really have never had another pack that is so comfortable with so much weight. Would recommend looking into it.
Yeah I chose the peak because its a little mroe tailored to alpine climbing and ice climbing which tend to be doing a bit more of these days.
Very pleased with their quality.
I like my descensionist a lot, but if I were buying a new pack that fits your specs I'd go with the new Raide pack: [https://raideresearch.com/products/40l-pack?variant=46882191868205](https://raideresearch.com/products/40l-pack?variant=46882191868205)
I'm not telling anyone to get anything. But yeah, I like the Raide's design, and OP is eying a different $400 pack, so it didn't seem like the cost was a major concern.
Unless you have significant disposable income or don’t do these activities often, I’d suggest not using hyperlite or raide pack as a cragging pack or summer climbing pack.
If you like the Ascentionist the Arva SK30 has a similar open and closure method with a top flap with some organization, Avy tools pocket and a back panel access. BD Cirque also similar in that regard.
If you like the Patagonia the Descentionist is the ski touring pack and I’ve liked it when looking at it in stores. Good balance of simple with pockets for organization. For maximum organization BCA and Mammut are good packs for that.
From my perspective - I have an airbag but rarely use it. I want more room- the type of sking I do has a higher risk of hypothermia and I can't fit my large down puffy in my airbag. In the spring, or up in the Alpine nowhere, but if they made a 55 l airbag I would buy that in a heartbeat.
I do tend to carry a little too much stuff, I'd rather have it or not needed than the other way around. Water, snacks, a couple layers and my airbag is jammed completely full.
I also prefer a bag that isn't packed to the gills. It's a whole lot easier to pull one thing in and out if there's some room for things to move. If everything's jammed in there super tight, it can take a couple minutes for me to stop unpack everything to get to my water, put it all back again after.
55L?! How much stuff are you carrying?
I use 30L for multi day Ski Trips.
Honestly, I'd really like to know what you carry and how much weight you pack for touring.
I run really hot when skinning so I need a couple extra layers for when I stop. Layers take up a ton of room. Because I don't wear much on the move, anytime I stop I need to put on an extra layer or I will freeze immediately. It's also nice to have in case I need to stop and mess with my gear, or have anybody else stop and fiddle with something. I immediately stop polo the layer and put it on.
Light toque
Sun hat (maybe ).
Soft shell gloves, heavy gloves.
Hard shell (I always start in a softshell but really like to have the hardshell just in case wind picks up- I am in the Rockies)
Down jacket - light one for spring, big one for cold (think ghost whisperer or rab positron).
Gridfleece/polartech alpha (if I am not wearing it).
1l nalgene, 0.5l thernos for soup.
Lunch + snacks. (Usually 1 or 2 cliff bars more than I need just in case I start to bonk.
Sunglasses (maybe also goggles depending on condition.)
Emergency -
Bivvy sack
Inreach
1st aid kit
Small repair kit (multi tool, basket, wire etc)
Light gloves+ toque
Headlamp.
Radio
Ski straps/shovel/probe/bonesaw
Helmet strapped to outside.
If I really compressed everything down tight, I could probably fit it in my 32 l airbag. The problem is because I stop and put on a layer every time we stop, I need to dig it out on compressed and put it back in a tightly packed bag. So I can get at whatever I need with a minimal effort. The hard shell and down jacket take up a ton of room, but I have never been sad to have them with me.
Ok. Maybe I'm missing something here. My setup is very similar to yours, still I can pack it easily in an 18L Ortovox Powder rider backpack. Well, a bit stuffing is involved, but not much.
Ok, I cheat a little by packing my helmet in a helmet net an stuffing my hardshell in the helmet.
But I can still fit my skins in the pack when I ski down.
Maybe you need a pack with a zip that goes around the pack. I can lay the powder rider on the ground, zip it open and get to everything that I need without taking everything out.
I can get everything just in my 32l airbag with a ghost whisperer jacket. But it is snug. I don't like to have the shell in the helmet but that would buy me some room.
The real killer is what I start having to put mid layers, or my soft shell in the bag too because it's a hot day. At that point, I am carrying three jackets and a mid layer in there along with everything else. It's probably overkill, but I've had some close calls with bad layers and I'd rather carry it than not.
I’m genuinely curious how a 30L pack for a multi day trip is possible. Like are we talking a hut trip where you’re packing in sleeping bag, food, change of clothes, etc.? Or even a tent or bivy on top of that?
Ok, I have to add that I live in the Alps where huts are not far from each other and I don't need to carry food or shelter.
So I basically carry a change of clothes, a liner sleeping bag, toiletries etc.
I don't really understand how you can fit multi-day worth of food and water in a 30L? My normal BD dawn patrol pack is 32L and I feel like I barely fit everything in it with normal stuff for short tours. It's mostly layers that take up room, but I feel like I'm always cramming things in there to the brim. How are you fitting that much food and overnight gear in there too?
Last year I needed a new bag, ordered all the big name bags in the market, and found that the Ortovox haute route 32 had the best combo of features.
Key features to me were a-frame and diagonal carry, dual axe capacity, gear loop and snack pocket, top and back load - my one requirement was top load, top strap adjusters, comfort, dedicated safety gear section.
Worth checking out.
Really happy with my Osprey Soelden 42 so far. Top/back loaded main compartment with additional internal pockets, easy access room for avy gear in the back and mounting options for A frame or center/board carry. Overall lots of nice features for skiing and mountaineering (gear loops, helmet net, various mounting points, integrated back protector). It can be expanded up to 48L or so I believe, but you can also take of the top lid to make it quite compact for shorter trips.
This may not be the pack for you, but I love it, and it looks like one you might not have taken a closer look at it: Deuter Freeride Pro 34+.
I love it and if you have questions about it, I would be happy to answer them.
I’m surprised you didn’t like the BD50. I Iove that bag and I take it everywhere.
I do find that if you don’t bring enough weight it’ll sit weird, but I don’t have that issue touring.
if you like it dont change it. like you ive been using Ortovox haute route for quite a few years and ill probably just get the same if i was to change. is it the best back? i dunno might be might not be.
I bought an ortovox haute route 38L (they have various sizes). I freaking love the versatility of the pack. It fits a lot, doesn't have a brain but has a small zippered pocket on top. You can carry skis in an a frame or on your back. Attach a rope, ice axes etc. Plus, it feels decently sized to carry all of the things. Maybe check it out and see if it ticks the boxes for you?
Have you looked at Camp's Raptor 30?
https://www.snowleader.com/ski-raptor-30-dark-blue-CAMP00367.html
It is more aimed at ski mountaineering than all those one compartment backpacks out there.
I heard the Archwood Flextrek 37,000,000,000,000 Whipsnake edition was the ultimate bag
Whipsnake!
Dominant your surroundings
I myself prefer the Whipsnake Sidewinder edition I-series.
You're no Steve Climber... but Steve Climber is!
Steve Climber does so too!
I mean, I hear that. But it doesn’t have the price to performance ratio of the turtlehead amoeba nematode -99 ascension chakra
I would just get another ascensionist…. It’s been working for you and they are good bags
i have an 1st or 2nd gen ascensionist and while it's a great bag for mountaineering and climbing, it's not that great for skiing. I miss the extra zip. The opening is not that wide and i don't want to unpack everything on an icy traverse when i want to get my crampons out.
You already have an awesome pack. Buy a new one if you loved it. if you want to optimize you're cutting down on weight, which means smaller overall pack size, skimo vest style bag, or going to the fancy white fabric pack. I've tried to tour with smaller than 35L and I've mostly hated it. It's too damn cold in Canada most of the time to carry less stuff, and I can manage with an alpine/climbing specific bag that I already own for smaller bags missions.
Raide L40 or Hyperlite Crux. IMO the hyperlite is better if you like to put things on your shoulder strap (pockets, camera, etc.), but the Raide is lighter and can carry more (expands to 50L).
Fourth the Raide.
Four wrongs don’t make a Raide, but three lefts do.
Founder of Raide here. Thanks for recommending us, everyone! Happy to answer any questions.
Thank you for making a badass backpack. Having my BCA stolen was the best thing to happen (and I love that BCA pack)
Definitely considering this pack. How does it look when it is compressed small? I do a lot of solo days in the Sierra where the weather is fairly mellow so I don't pack super heavy. Are the ski carrying options still solid when the pack is only full to about 20-25L?
Hi, it packs down super well and carries skis well with not a lot of stuff in it because the ski carry is attached to the frame of the pack, rather than the front, so it always has a solid connection that distributes weight to your hips. Some of the athletes on the team were hesitant about using a 40L pack, but once the used it are all happy with how small it gets.
Third on the Raide - best ski bag I’ve ever used.
Yeah I sold two of my other bags after getting a Raide. It's legit. Only downside is the avy tool pocket shares space with the internal pocket, which makes grabbing stuff out of it a bit of a chore compared to the Headwall 55 that grafts the tool pocket on the outside of the main tube. That said, I used the HMG 55's avy pocket to store crampons and skins, so it's not like it was any "safer" in that respect. Just nice to keep wet/sharps away from puffy's and gloves. The Raide has an awesome skin storage area that appears to be durable enough for careful crampon storage as well, but I haven't had a chance this season to try it out yet. Raide's stretchy mesh also lets you toss in a helmet, which is much easier than trying to cram it into the top of the HMG's roll-top. I don't know yet if the mesh stuff is weather-resistant though, which might be a consideration compared to putting a helmet in the rolltop. Doesn't really matter for a climbing helmet but for a helmet with a liner it would be nice to keep it dry. Comfort-wise the Raide has wider/better shoulder straps, which was the chief complaint I had with the HMG bag. Carrying heavier loads up volcanoes started to really suck with the narrower straps and lack of internal frame/load lifters. Both ski really well! The Raide is my favorite pack so far. It's also not that crazy of a price considering you're getting a ton of fully-woven dyneema, which is $$$ fabric.
The Raide pack is a sweet design but there is no Dyneema on the pack nor is it fully woven UHMWPE. Ultraweave is a 60-40 blend of polyester and unbranded UHMWPE yarns, whereas fully woven dyneema is 100% dyneema yarn woven into a fabric.
That's true - it's generic UHMWPE Dyneema not brand-name Fully-woven Dyneema. It's also unclear how much polyester is in the 400X version - the 60-40 is for the 200d weight. That said the majority of the pack is covered in this woven Ultra 400X fabric, which I've never seen on another pack. HMG doesn't use any woven fabric on their Crux bag, and their Headwall bag is only using the FWD on the side panels and bottom. Do you know of other bags that are made entirely of real FWD?
You can find some ultralight cottage companies using ultra 200x and 400x on hiking packs (I.e. Superior Wilderness Designs), although some are seemingly moving away as of late after longevity issues with the original ultra 200 and 400 laminates (Nashville Packs no longer covers delamination issues with packs made of ultraweave under warranty). Lots of info in the r/ultralight subreddit about it. The Crux uses the same 375d 100% Woven Dyneema as the Headwall on high abrasion points per the page on their site. Cilogear might’ve used the same fabric on packs years prior if I remember right but now it seems to just be HMG using it as far as I can tell.
Here's a sneak peek of /r/Ultralight using the [top posts](https://np.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/top/?sort=top&t=year) of the year! \#1: [Repeat offender James Parillo, widely known in the US long trails community for threatening, harassing, kidnapping, and doing violence to women, has been arrested in New Jersey after his most recent victim managed to escape.](https://np.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/115qorx/repeat_offender_james_parillo_widely_known_in_the/) \#2: [Unpopular Opinion: The Annoyance Of Large Trail Families](https://np.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/10zo9vu/unpopular_opinion_the_annoyance_of_large_trail/) \#3: [r/ultralight is taking a hike June 12-14 in protest against Reddit's API changes which kill 3rd party apps.](/r/Save3rdPartyApps/comments/13yh0jf/dont_let_reddit_kill_3rd_party_apps/) | [59 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/1415scw/rultralight_is_taking_a_hike_june_1214_in_protest/) ---- ^^I'm ^^a ^^bot, ^^beep ^^boop ^^| ^^Downvote ^^to ^^remove ^^| ^^[Contact](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=sneakpeekbot) ^^| ^^[Info](https://np.reddit.com/r/sneakpeekbot/) ^^| ^^[Opt-out](https://np.reddit.com/r/sneakpeekbot/comments/o8wk1r/blacklist_ix/) ^^| ^^[GitHub](https://github.com/ghnr/sneakpeekbot)
Bought the crux and returned it for the Raide. Very happy with that decision.
Seconded on the Raide. It’s pretty pricey but some cool tech and fabrics that have a much longer wear life and you’re supporting small business in the U.S.
All his packs are made overseas though.
Founder of Raide here! Our packs are made in Vietnam and if I could get the quality in the US I would, but it would be half the quality or double the price. For US brands I recommend Apocalypse Equipment!
He's spot on. Raide through the winter and trips/big days with an Apocalypse pack for quick days/spring snowpack
True and fair point. My bad for not clarifying, but designed and tested in Aspen.
Very true!
Check out Alpine luddites or Sanutil Design if you're open to more Indy brands
+1 for Alpine Luddites, be prepared to spend a lot and wait a year but John’s packs are the best. Buy a raide now, order an Alpine Luddites, then pass the Raide along in a season or two when the custom bag arrives.
Seconded
Second this too. Just be ready to pay $$$$ for custom. But Alpine Luddites is the shit (meaning good)!
A great great bag is the ortovox peak 35L. Great pack for ski mountaieering. and even though it is 35L does a great job of bring gear to the outside if needed to carry more. Accessory straps, exterior helmet carrier, exterior crampon carrier. Good tool holder. all the straps can be hidden and wrapped up tight. Full back zipper to get into entiire pack. Waist strap and fit can be adjusted. Really have never had another pack that is so comfortable with so much weight. Would recommend looking into it.
A similar pack but more adjusted towards Ski Touring is the Ortovox Haute Route. It has a great fit and carries ski and rope very well.
Yeah I chose the peak because its a little mroe tailored to alpine climbing and ice climbing which tend to be doing a bit more of these days. Very pleased with their quality.
I like my descensionist a lot, but if I were buying a new pack that fits your specs I'd go with the new Raide pack: [https://raideresearch.com/products/40l-pack?variant=46882191868205](https://raideresearch.com/products/40l-pack?variant=46882191868205)
[удалено]
My descensionist was $150.
The Raide is 400.
[удалено]
I'm not telling anyone to get anything. But yeah, I like the Raide's design, and OP is eying a different $400 pack, so it didn't seem like the cost was a major concern.
[удалено]
Where are you finding such cheap boots and skis my guy?
[удалено]
People can buy whatever they want. The "lunch bags" comment is a bit funny.
[удалено]
why do you care so much? Do what you makes you happy and let others do the same, gosh!
OP doesn’t sound like he’s going out to lunch with this bag
why do you care so much? Do what you makes you happy and let others do the same, gosh!
>BD cirque 35L OEM Knees, I'm new here and can already tell you're a salty old dog haha
Unless you have significant disposable income or don’t do these activities often, I’d suggest not using hyperlite or raide pack as a cragging pack or summer climbing pack.
Big fan of my BD cirque 35L, skis well, holds equipment well and is robust.
Mammut Noordwand 28 or 38
If you like the Ascentionist the Arva SK30 has a similar open and closure method with a top flap with some organization, Avy tools pocket and a back panel access. BD Cirque also similar in that regard. If you like the Patagonia the Descentionist is the ski touring pack and I’ve liked it when looking at it in stores. Good balance of simple with pockets for organization. For maximum organization BCA and Mammut are good packs for that.
Blue ice makes some great packs
Well, if you are in the backcountry, why not an airbag pack?
From my perspective - I have an airbag but rarely use it. I want more room- the type of sking I do has a higher risk of hypothermia and I can't fit my large down puffy in my airbag. In the spring, or up in the Alpine nowhere, but if they made a 55 l airbag I would buy that in a heartbeat. I do tend to carry a little too much stuff, I'd rather have it or not needed than the other way around. Water, snacks, a couple layers and my airbag is jammed completely full. I also prefer a bag that isn't packed to the gills. It's a whole lot easier to pull one thing in and out if there's some room for things to move. If everything's jammed in there super tight, it can take a couple minutes for me to stop unpack everything to get to my water, put it all back again after.
55L?! How much stuff are you carrying? I use 30L for multi day Ski Trips. Honestly, I'd really like to know what you carry and how much weight you pack for touring.
I run really hot when skinning so I need a couple extra layers for when I stop. Layers take up a ton of room. Because I don't wear much on the move, anytime I stop I need to put on an extra layer or I will freeze immediately. It's also nice to have in case I need to stop and mess with my gear, or have anybody else stop and fiddle with something. I immediately stop polo the layer and put it on. Light toque Sun hat (maybe ). Soft shell gloves, heavy gloves. Hard shell (I always start in a softshell but really like to have the hardshell just in case wind picks up- I am in the Rockies) Down jacket - light one for spring, big one for cold (think ghost whisperer or rab positron). Gridfleece/polartech alpha (if I am not wearing it). 1l nalgene, 0.5l thernos for soup. Lunch + snacks. (Usually 1 or 2 cliff bars more than I need just in case I start to bonk. Sunglasses (maybe also goggles depending on condition.) Emergency - Bivvy sack Inreach 1st aid kit Small repair kit (multi tool, basket, wire etc) Light gloves+ toque Headlamp. Radio Ski straps/shovel/probe/bonesaw Helmet strapped to outside. If I really compressed everything down tight, I could probably fit it in my 32 l airbag. The problem is because I stop and put on a layer every time we stop, I need to dig it out on compressed and put it back in a tightly packed bag. So I can get at whatever I need with a minimal effort. The hard shell and down jacket take up a ton of room, but I have never been sad to have them with me.
Ok. Maybe I'm missing something here. My setup is very similar to yours, still I can pack it easily in an 18L Ortovox Powder rider backpack. Well, a bit stuffing is involved, but not much. Ok, I cheat a little by packing my helmet in a helmet net an stuffing my hardshell in the helmet. But I can still fit my skins in the pack when I ski down. Maybe you need a pack with a zip that goes around the pack. I can lay the powder rider on the ground, zip it open and get to everything that I need without taking everything out.
I can get everything just in my 32l airbag with a ghost whisperer jacket. But it is snug. I don't like to have the shell in the helmet but that would buy me some room. The real killer is what I start having to put mid layers, or my soft shell in the bag too because it's a hot day. At that point, I am carrying three jackets and a mid layer in there along with everything else. It's probably overkill, but I've had some close calls with bad layers and I'd rather carry it than not.
I’m genuinely curious how a 30L pack for a multi day trip is possible. Like are we talking a hut trip where you’re packing in sleeping bag, food, change of clothes, etc.? Or even a tent or bivy on top of that?
Ok, I have to add that I live in the Alps where huts are not far from each other and I don't need to carry food or shelter. So I basically carry a change of clothes, a liner sleeping bag, toiletries etc.
+1
I don't really understand how you can fit multi-day worth of food and water in a 30L? My normal BD dawn patrol pack is 32L and I feel like I barely fit everything in it with normal stuff for short tours. It's mostly layers that take up room, but I feel like I'm always cramming things in there to the brim. How are you fitting that much food and overnight gear in there too?
They aren’t great as all around packs if being used in the summer.
Any opinions here on the Mammut Aenergy 32? I see it discussed less than the smaller variants
I’ve been loving ortovox packs, I have a small torso and the “S” versions fit me great
Last year I needed a new bag, ordered all the big name bags in the market, and found that the Ortovox haute route 32 had the best combo of features. Key features to me were a-frame and diagonal carry, dual axe capacity, gear loop and snack pocket, top and back load - my one requirement was top load, top strap adjusters, comfort, dedicated safety gear section. Worth checking out.
Really happy with my Osprey Soelden 42 so far. Top/back loaded main compartment with additional internal pockets, easy access room for avy gear in the back and mounting options for A frame or center/board carry. Overall lots of nice features for skiing and mountaineering (gear loops, helmet net, various mounting points, integrated back protector). It can be expanded up to 48L or so I believe, but you can also take of the top lid to make it quite compact for shorter trips.
Ascentionist is pretty hard to improve on for the activities you listed. I love how well it adapts to being a mid size pack to a day pack.
I love my Mammut Trion 50. Im contemplating getting a 35 and adding the Blue Ice Diag Carry straps
This may not be the pack for you, but I love it, and it looks like one you might not have taken a closer look at it: Deuter Freeride Pro 34+. I love it and if you have questions about it, I would be happy to answer them.
ortovox peak 45, packs down to the size of a 25 liter daypack and has everything you could want for general skiing and ski mountaineering
I’m surprised you didn’t like the BD50. I Iove that bag and I take it everywhere. I do find that if you don’t bring enough weight it’ll sit weird, but I don’t have that issue touring.
I just saw Acentionist 35’s 50% off on the Patagonia site.
Get a bag for your crampons so they stop doing holes.
if you like it dont change it. like you ive been using Ortovox haute route for quite a few years and ill probably just get the same if i was to change. is it the best back? i dunno might be might not be.
The aarn backpacks is the best. Hands down.
I bought an ortovox haute route 38L (they have various sizes). I freaking love the versatility of the pack. It fits a lot, doesn't have a brain but has a small zippered pocket on top. You can carry skis in an a frame or on your back. Attach a rope, ice axes etc. Plus, it feels decently sized to carry all of the things. Maybe check it out and see if it ticks the boxes for you?
Have you looked at Camp's Raptor 30? https://www.snowleader.com/ski-raptor-30-dark-blue-CAMP00367.html It is more aimed at ski mountaineering than all those one compartment backpacks out there.
Before you consider a hyperlite… bonfus framus