San Util Design Off Piste 35-52L Ski Touring Pack Overview

All season, I’ve been experimenting with how a lot I can slot in my San Util Design Off Piste Ski Touring Pack. I haven’t discovered a practical restrict but. I’ve stuffed puffies, fleece midlayers, further goggles, sun shades circumstances, bottles of water, cans of beer, baseball hats, knit caps, balaclavas, salami, cheese, different snacks, an insulated blanket, and, in fact, my beacon, shovel, and probe. And nonetheless, I haven’t even come near the pack’s restrict.

I’ve duffel luggage that may’t maintain as a lot — however you’d by no means guess that if I used to be simply out for a fast lap on my native pores and skin observe. For extra informal backcountry exploits, the Off Piste Pack compresses to the scale of a daypack.

I’m fairly explicit about my touring packs. On the naked minimal, they should have a number of entry factors to the primary compartment, an avalanche instrument pocket, easy-to-identify avi instrument pocket zipper tabs, and glove-friendly buckles. I’m additionally a fan of Dyneema and waterproof zippers. And, in fact, I’ve to love the way in which it seems.

This pack from San Util Design exceeded my expectations. Not solely does it embody all of these options, however I additionally bought to design the pack myself — from the panel colours and patterns, to the colour of the zipper pulls. There are some things on my wishlist if San Util Design makes model 2.0. However for a primary backcountry-specific ski touring pack, this small Colorado model got here out of the gate swinging.

In brief: The San Util Design Off Piste Ski Touring Pack ($540) scores excessive marks for versatility, performance, and magnificence. It’s made with high-quality, sturdy, and waterproof or water-resistant-treated supplies. It expands in quantity from 35 L to an enormous 52 L, making it best for day journeys, multi-night backcountry tenting, or hut journeys. Some components, just like the waist strap and inside entry, could possibly be refined. However general, this can be a stable selection for backcountry skiers who need one pack for the entire season. And as a bonus, you get to decide on the colour scheme and patterns.

In case you’re searching for ski backpacks, examine this one with these on GearJunkie’s information to the Greatest Ski Backpacks.

San Util Off Piste 35-52L Ski Touring Pack Overview

Lately, it takes a reasonably particular product to interrupt into the backcountry ski backpack market. Most ski manufacturers make their very own packs, and plenty of backpack producers provide a number of variations and sizes. Some include gas-powered avalanche airbags, and others have electrical airbag programs like LiTRIC. There are even just a few backcountry packs that use the Safeback SBX air pump avalanche system.

So, I used to be skeptical {that a} small boutique startup model like San Util Design may create one thing that will stand out in such a saturated market. However this backpack isn’t made like different backcountry luggage I’ve used. The roll-top design and voluminous inside are notably noteworthy. And it’s distinctive; you may even name it one-of-a-kind, contemplating that I selected the colour scheme and patterns.

However seems and structure are one factor. Efficiency and performance are one other. Shortly after receiving my handmade Off Piste Pack, I began taking it into the backcountry — and to the resort, too. I’ve used this pack all season lengthy to this point, testing it on each lengthy days and brief ones.

Supplies

The Off Piste Pack is on the market in three totally different supplies: 1000D Cordura, EPX400, and ULTRA400X (a Dyneema competitor). A few of the colour choices solely mix with sure supplies, so that you may find yourself with a pack like mine that’s half ULTRA400X and half 1000D Cordura.

San Util informed GearJunkie that the Cordura has a DWR and poly coating for water resistance. ULTRA400X and EPX400 are each waterproof by design. The waist and shoulder straps, in addition to the again panel, are each EPX400.

Structure

San Util Design stored the structure of this pack fairly minimalistic, which I respect. Having too many pockets, compartments, or nooks and crannies can get cumbersome and is often pointless. One huge compartment and a few smaller pockets are all I want within the backcountry.

The primary compartment of the Off Piste Pack is gigantic. Even on hut journeys, I not often want 52 L of area in my backpack. Whenever you simply need a daypack, the highest rolls down, and the edges cinch to compress the bag.

The entrance of the pack has an avalanche instrument compartment that completely suits a shovel and probe. It’s additionally denoted with a huge zipper pull, which I selected to be sizzling neon pink. Within the occasion of an emergency, there can be no mistaking which zipper to succeed in for.

There are solely two different small pockets on this pack. One is a small radio pocket on the high with a water-proof zipper. The opposite is an inside mesh pocket for issues like keys, glove liners, hats, a cellphone, or different odds and ends.

Different Options

This pack lets you carry skis in an A-frame or diagonally. The black CSM ice instrument cowl protects your ice instrument’s ideas (and every part round them) from injury.

The waist belt is detachable, so you may minimize weight should you’re going for an ultralight method. Likewise, the HDPE body sheet can be detachable.

Customization

Not many backpack producers allow you to select the colour scheme or patterns of your pack. And definitely, in relation to technical alpine backpacks, San Util Designs is the one one that gives customization like that. It’s a enjoyable bonus.

It’s additionally a reminder that all of those backpacks is handmade to order in Winter Park, Colo.

The method is fairly simple. Whenever you place your order on the San Util Design web site, you merely select your main colour (which is the entrance of the pack and roll-top), a secondary colour (the aspect panels), and the wire colour for the zipper pulls.

If in case you have a desire for materials, be sure you examine that the colour you need is obtainable. Some patterns/colours are solely provided in a single materials from San Util Design.

Discipline Testing

My backcountry packing record doesn’t change a lot. In my pack, I at all times have a fleece midlayer, a puffy jacket, my ski shell, a beanie, a billed cap, gloves, liners, sun shades, sunscreen, a water bottle, snacks, and my beacon, shovel, and probe.

I may match all of that into this pack with out even approaching the 35L capability. Even packing for hut journeys, with a sleeping bag, meals, and hut garments, I couldn’t fill this factor up.

Thus, the San Util Designs Off Piste Ski Touring Pack earns excessive marks for quantity and flexibility. You’ll be able to stuff it like a duffel for overnights or maintain it lean-and-mean for day journeys.

The supplies used on this pack are demonstrably waterproof and water resistant. I persistently dropped it within the snow throughout transitions, lunches, breaks, and after I wanted to dig one thing out of it. I by no means had points with water seeping by the pack.

I’m an enormous fan of outsized zipper pulls and tabs. The pull tabs on the radio pocket and avalanche instrument compartment are simple to establish and seize, regardless of how cumbersome your gloves are. The roll high and buckles are additionally simple to handle with gloves on. A few of the smaller buckles, like these on the highest and sides, require slightly further focus to clip, however they by no means brought about me frustration.

I discovered the pack rode comfortably on my again after I skied. The waist belt and chest strap held it snugly to my physique, and I didn’t have points with it bouncing round.

The compression straps on the edges additionally made it simple to squeeze out any extra area, so gadgets weren’t leaping round contained in the pack, both.

Fortunately, I by no means wanted to drag out my avi instruments. However I practiced just a few occasions, and it was manageable with this pack. I actually like that the avi instrument pocket is on the surface, unobstructed, and simply identifiable.

You’ll be able to take away the waist belt and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) body sheet. I pulled the waist belt off as soon as simply to attempt it, and it was fairly simple to take away and reattach. I used the HDPE body sheet a few occasions as a seat once we stopped for lunch.

In case you have been actually in a medical pinch, that sheet may additionally double as a makeshift splint.

Room for Enchancment

The very first thing I discovered myself wanting from this pack was a helmet carry. However San Util Design notes on its web site that it’s engaged on growing its personal. Within the meantime, most detachable helmet carry units will match on the outside daisy chains. It will even be nice to have an exterior pocket that’s large enough to suit your skins.

A few of the areas on the hip belt, shoulder straps, and again of the pack use single stitching. I haven’t had sturdiness points with this pack but. However years down the road, I may see a few of these weaker factors that get the heaviest use and abuse sporting out.

My greatest gripe with this pack, although, is its inside entry. As a roll high, it’s further vital to have a second entry level to get inside. Nobody needs to unroll a pack each time they should swap a layer.

The entry level on the Off Piste Pack is a aspect zipper. It gives sufficient, although not beneficiant, entry. I a lot choose again panel entry, because it lets you see every part contained in the pack as an alternative of getting to root round blindly.

I might be remiss to not point out the worth, too — $540 is some huge cash for a ski backpack. There are solely two different backpacks on GearJunkie’s Information to the Greatest Ski Backpacks that exceed that worth. Each of these have built-in avalanche airbags — though neither is available in customized colours.

Who Is It For?

Whereas there are some things on my wishlist for this pack, the San Util Design Off Piste Ski Touring Pack actually hits all the primary marks I require from my touring packs. It’s light-weight, constructed from waterproof and water resistant supplies, sturdy, thoughtfully laid out, and versatile sufficient for various backcountry adventures. I’m additionally fairly psyched in regards to the colour scheme and splatter sample I selected.

Leisure skiers, skilled skiers, ski guides, and anybody who spends numerous time on snow within the backcountry will respect what San Util Design has created right here — if they will afford it. It’s not a skimo racing pack, neither is it appropriate with avalanche airbags. However for a devoted backcountry roll high, this pack does its job and does it properly.

It could be overkill for resort snowboarding, but it surely seems nice and carries what you want, regardless of the place you are taking it.