Just hoping that someone, anyone here on SP might just have an opinion, or be a little more experienced than me . . . Slim chance, I know . . . I am looking for both a summit pack and something capable carrying skis. I am on a super-tight budget

In my hurried research I have found that there seem to be a packs that are ski specific and if they are, like maybe BCA's, they offer one choice which is diagonal carry and they don't seem to have much room.

I am looking at Black Diamond packs, like the Speed 30/40 but they don't seem to designed specifically or otherwise as ski-carry friendly, But I don't see why you couldn't do an A-frame carry with one of these. Kind of annoying that products such as BD which are all about "bomber" and mountaineering and so on, don't have it in the specs/plans that someone might be hauling up a pair of skis or a board . . . what's that one element that they are leaving off that would make the pack ski-carry capable?

And diagonal versus A-frame . . . experiences???

Anyway, what do you use . . . what do you get away with that isn't specific to carrying skis. (aside from Llama's)

I quite like some of the Lowe Alpine packs, got the Mountain Attack myself. Though I just put on skis once for testing, the ones below are all designed to carry skis as well; The Peak Attack is designed specifically with ski touring in mind.


Mountain Attack

http://www.freetime1.co.uk/Models.aspx? ... roducts-US


Peak Attack

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/3713 ... essed=true


http://www.lowealpine.com/eng/prod_app_ ... 6&type=man


Alpine Attack

http://www.lowealpine.com/eng/prod_app_ ... 2&type=man

Lowe . . . How did I miss 'em––I know they're out there, but they seem to have evaded my search. Thanks.

What about the Osprey Variant 37, I have the 52 which I love and I'm thinking about picking up a 37 for technical day hikes, climbing and skiing

I like the REI Pinnacle 40, it worked great for me over the winter.

Take a look at these Deuter packs:

http://www.deuter.com/en_US/backpack-de ... 0lite%2020

http://www.deuter.com/en_US/backpack-de ... =Pace%2030

Thanks all . . . likin' the Lowa packs . . . they seem to be ready for a pair of skis.

If your pack has a stiff internal frame/suspension, it will be difficult to do any kind of scrambling or down-climbing.

If you're just walking, then a pack with more support will be more comfortable.

If you are doing any kind of scrambling or climbing, I'd stay away from any pack that has any more support than a foam back pad.

Deuter Guide 35+. Beautiful pack with low profile slimness but with stable structure for carrying A-frame style. PER-Fecto!

Deb wrote:Deuter Guide 35+. Beautiful pack with low profile slimness but with stable structure for carrying A-frame style. PER-Fecto!

Hey Deb, You have this pack? sounds like you're happy with it, eh?
I've been eying it for a little while now, as I kind of want something smaller than my Osprey variant 52, at least for day trips. Thought about the Variant 37, maybe a pack or two from BD, but would love to get a look at the Guide 35 in person. Looks like a nice pack, though maybe lacking a little in outer pockets? ie, for crampons, snow shovel and such.

^^^if you want a pocket for your shovel/probe you might look for a Deuter Glide 35+ (discontinued, but a great pack), not sure why you need a pocket for your crampons but to each their own...

i also have a Deuter Guide 45, very happy with both packs...far superior to the BD Anarchist that I was using previously YMMV

96avs01 wrote:^^^if you want a pocket for your shovel/probe you might look for a Deuter Glide 35+ (discontinued, but a great pack), not sure why you need a pocket for your crampons but to each their own...

i also have a Deuter Guide 45, very happy with both packs...far superior to the BD Anarchist that I was using previously YMMV

No, I don't necessarily need a crampon pocket; just wondering about an external shove-it pocket for shovel, crampons if I want, etc.
Again, a pocket like my Variant 52 has. Just have become used to it. And have read that having a shovel pocket on the outside, for backcountry skiing, is important. Don't know how important, though.
Ah, so you have the Guide 45 and are happy with it, huh? Better than the Anarchist, eh?
thanks for your input.

Deuter . . . okay, liking what I see . . . up at shasta this weekend and saw a lot of packs carrying skis. Looks like you can do it with a lot of non-specific packs (lots of BD's) but really leaning towards something that says, I like to carry skis

rlshattuck wrote:Deuter . . . okay, liking what I see . . . up at shasta this weekend and saw a lot of packs carrying skis. Looks like you can do it with a lot of non-specific packs (lots of BD's) but really leaning towards something that says, I like to carry skis

Rishattuck, Yep, you're right: like most gear, you can make damn near anything work if you want to. . . I've carried skis with an old Northface pack, 20+ yrs. old, and done just fine. But, some of the ski specific packs have features that make them a little easier/friendlier to use than your ordinary pack. But really, as long as their are straps in the right places and its comfortable. I will say that one feature I might want on my next ski pack is the ability to get inside, from the side or even back, while the skis are attached. Bit tough to do from just the top loading compartment, though maybe that's just my operator error. . .

Bob,

I've got the BD Speed (I just love the irony of that) and have used it quite a bit this winter/spring for day skiing. My only complaint would be the straps on the sides don't unclip, so you have to feed the skis in and out and work the straps over the bindings/etc. Otherwise, it fits all my stuff and rides well.


Hmm... now that I think about it, the material leaves a little something to be desired, as I've been able to put a few slices in it this season as well.

I was looking at the Dueter packs this season, trying to justify getting a 30L size (I have a 45-55) for day skis. I think I might have gotten out enough this year to justify its purchase/use...

-L