Backpack for skiing

[Coopski]

Thanks taxman. I will follow that up with him as he was waiting on stock of the one we were talking about (model name has completely left me but it wasn't switch) however he can order in any pack I'm after so I will chat with him again tommorrow. :-)

[SA]

Coopski - do you know, or have a preference of how you want to carry your skis (diagonal/straight/a-frame)? I think it's a pretty important factor to narrow down what pack(s) you might consider buying.

[Coopski]

Just looked on their website. It was the kode 22l he was waiting on.

[Coopski]

Coopski - do you know, or have a preference of how you want to carry your skis (diagonal/straight/a-frame)? I think it's a pretty important factor to narrow down what pack(s) you might consider buying.

To be honest I've never had a pack that carries them so I guess that's also the type of feedback I'm after. Do you find one way more cumbersome than the other?

[John Deere]

I go BC and I use Dakine packs. I have a Heli Pro and a Dakine Guide 50LT. I agree that there are better quality packs out there, but my packs fitted into my budget at the time. Also another point to remember that you need to get a pack that fits you best!

Yep, I seen plenty BC (including Kaz's, albeit in summer), they do the job. I personally wouldn't hump a set of 180cm 100mm under foot skis out of Watsons Creek on one, but they could do it.

[John Deere]

Which is why brands like Osprey make each model in different sizes, to get the best fit for your body type.

Coopski, if you are looking at the Osprey packs, make sure you look at the Switch series as they are specifically made for skiing/boarding with dry pockets, draining pockets (for wet skins and avy gear), internal hyrdation bladder pocket, reinforced loops and clips for carring skis and boards. If they weren't very good, JD and I (and other users) wouldn't be passionate about them.

I like the BD design better. It has much better access than the Switch, but the Switch is hard as nails, probably better built than the BD.

[Taxman]

Coopski - do you know, or have a preference of how you want to carry your skis (diagonal/straight/a-frame)? I think it's a pretty important factor to narrow down what pack(s) you might consider buying.

The Osprey Switch packs can carry skis either A-frame or diagonally.

[John Deere]

To be honest I've never had a pack that carries them so I guess that's also the type of feedback I'm after. Do you find one way more cumbersome than the other?

SA raises a good question. I prefer to have mine bound together and strapped firmly straight up and down on the pack. I find A frame a little cumbersome to get rigid and diaganol tend to be easier to overbalance for me.....it is a personal thing though and much depends on your height, ski length, ski weight etc.

[SA]

To be honest I've never had a pack that carries them so I guess that's also the type of feedback I'm after. Do you find one way more cumbersome than the other?

Yes, I definitely have a preference with mine, eg. I generally carry diagonally; but inevitably it will differ from person to person. What length/width/weight skis will you carry? Will you have wide/super wide brakes or not? Are you short or tall? Some of these things will make a real difference when you're boot packing - will the tails of the skis stab you in the calves or knock the back of your head repeatedly, or will you list to one side with an uneven weight distribution?

Without wanting to make choosing more difficult I've found some packs offer multiple carry positions but do one/some far better than others. If you're going to spend a bit on the pack it's not a bad idea to take your intended skis in and have a go strapping them on, seeing what's comfortable for you walking around, working out which straps/positions work better than others, and which might slip loose.

Taxman alluded to skins above - are you going to be boot-packing mainly, or also skinning? This would change how you'd mainly use a pack.

[SA]

The Osprey Switch packs can carry skis either A-frame of diagonally.

Yes. I own one.