Winter Packs

Reviewed by Jake W

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear (HMG) Ice Pack Dyneema is a 40L pack designed specifically with ice climbers in mind. Made light without sacrificing durability, the woven Dyneema exterior laminated to the Cuben Fiber provides the perfect balance of weight to strength. Whether loaded up with 40 lbs of climbing gear or compressed down to hold just your puffy and water bottle, the Ice pack excels. The pack is best for alpine day climbing, ultralight overnight trips, or winter hut-to-hut hiking. The highlights for me are the woven Dyneema fabric (nothing short of incredible), the tool carry, and the weather protection. My main gripe is the lack of an accessable bivy pad and I’d love to see the crampon carry re-worked.

PRE-AMBLE A dedicated ice climbing pack must, above all else, be two things- Made with a highly durable material, both punctures and abrasions are highly likely. I can’t think of a sport (at least none that I participate in) that takes more abuse than an ice pack. Two ice tools, crampons, 8 ice screws, and often a file—you might as well strap a bunch of scissors to your pack. Provide a solid way of carrying your tools while allowing easy access. Tool loops were rightfully retired a long time ago and improvements have been made.

Read more: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ice Pack 40 review (1)

Reviewed by Dean Myers

Excellent winter pack for day trips, made with very useful and safety conscious features.

I bought this for winter hiking and snowshoeing, particularly for carrying snowshoes when not being used. I found it very easy to load or unload the snowshoes without having to remove mitts. The strap system on the pack is just perfect for this, and tucks out of the way when not needed. The pack is made to be very water resistant and lives up to this. It's a panel design with one larger compartment with a divider for a water bladder, and tube routing that goes down one of the shoulder straps which is also insulated.

Read more: Osprey Kamber 20 review (1)

Reviewed by David Torney

This pack is designed for backcountry ski touring. It is comfortable and big enough for emergency gear, food, etc.

I've used this pack for almost two winters in the mountains of northern New Mexico. It's as good as new; it's trustworthy. Unlike the packs I previously used, I can wear this on a full-day outing and hardly notice it, even when it is fully loaded. I'm a medium size in most clothes, and the Dawn Patrol 32 is a good fit. In comparison, standard rucksacks, such as the BD Nitro pack, feel clunky and restrict shoulder movement, impeding XC skiing.  When one needs to remove one's skis and proceed on foot, skis and poles are easily attached.

Read more: Black Diamond Dawn Patrol 32 review (1)

Reviewed by FromSagetoSnow

The Pow 16 is a specialized winter alpine pack for skiers/snowboarders. It is designed to hold avalanche gear, skis/board and features a CE-Certified full back protector. The pack uses the magic of Swedish engineering to keep your drinking tube thawed in sub-zero temps. The USWE POW makes bold claims and lives up to them all. Your new best ski partner. I'll save you the reading and say this; buy this pack.

Do you ski or snowboard in front or side country? Need to carry your plank(s) uphill occasionally? Want the peace of mind of dedicated, quick access pockets for avy gear? How about multi-impact rated, CE-certified spine protection? How about a hydration system that actually keeps your water thawed in sub-freezing temps?  Well, here you go! You hardly know it's there. It's that comfortable. The unisex USWE POW 16 (pronounced YOU-SWEE) fixes many of the frustrations faced by winter sports enthusiasts when it comes to their backpacks.

Read more: USWE Pow 16 review (1)

Reviewed by Elizabeth McCoy

All the winter bag I will ever need for day hiking in the snow. Rugged, has everything I need and more!

This is my first ever winter pack and I love it! I bought it specifically to strap my snowshoes on. This pack can also carry skis and a snowboard as well. My snowshoes strap to the pack easily with no hassle. The pack is waterproof as well. It holds extra gear and food. It has multiple entry areas and zippers. It has a front zipper area for emergency snow avalanche shovel pocket. This is a great bag. It is heavy duty material. This bag is specifically made for women. Has SOS labels, height adjustable lid, under lid valuables pocket, aluminum X-Frame, spin-drift collars, under lid rope strap, bottom compartment access with internal zip divider.

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Reviewed by Kato Baker

Lightweight, bombproof, and well thought out. A keeper for my uses in winter and summer as well.

Been through a few nice ski/board packs. All were beautiful for winter sports. The Cobra is all that and then some. Very light comparatively. Has all the bells and whistles I find necessary without the weight. I was amazed at how it hugged my body while descending some steep trails in the thick of winter. That incorporated design impressed me greatly. I wasn't psyched with the bright red color, but then remembered about hiking during hunting season. I'm OK with it....😅 Shoulder and waist belt are perfect, zippers are as well. I'm just impressed with materials, feature placement, and design. TNF's experience shows in this ski pack!!

Read more: The North Face Cobra 52 review (1)

Reviewed by Old Guide

It is a sturdy and roomy 65-liter pack for the winter traveler or hunter with plenty of extras including pockets and tie downs.

I like to travel in the winter woods mostly unseen and this German made WinterTarn Rucksack military pack helps me do that. It is an official military pack and is made with quality. It has five external pockets and two main inside which can be separated by a drawstring cover. The main compartment also has a drawstring to close it all up from the outside. This is especially nice if you are carrying something oversized between the top and the main pack.  With no back padding I slipped a piece of Ensolite into the inside back pocket which now also holds my license plate/grill for my Swiss Volcano Stove.

Read more: MFH German Winter Tarn Rucksack review (1)

Featured review by Peter Smith

This is an utterly bomb proof backpack! I have had it for 3 years now. Taken it everywhere. Tetons, Colombia, Hood, everywhere in Montana, etc. Before this pack I would buy a new pack every 6mo-year. But the problem is that this pack is just too strong! Arcteryx really made a great piece here. The backpack just simply doesn't wear, no matter what you put it through. I have scree ran and just about everything and this pack holds up. Great for climbing, skiing, and my favorite minimalist camping. It holds all the essentials. I wouldn't recommend this to a friend. because if I do everyone will have one.

Read more: Arc'teryx Silo 18 reviews (2)

Reviewed by Anthony J Aiello

Osprey's Kode 22 may be designed as a skiing pack, but it is so much more. This pack should be considered by anyone who is searching for a multi-use/multi-season day pack.

I find myself reaching for my Osprey Kode 22 ski pack over and over again. Whether I am skiing or not, it has proven to be the most versatile daypack I have owned. I am able to strap my mid-fat Black Diamond Amperage skis to the sides and crush my thighs on a boot pack, or I can use it during day-hikes, canoe trips, fly fishing, and just about any other time I need to pack more than what will fit in my pockets. The compartments are generous enough to accommodate my Outdoor Research Transcendent puffy, rain jacket, 3-liter hydration bladder, headlamp, first aid kit, waterproof matches, two fly boxes, a fly rod, and snacks (RX Bars and Honey Stinger Waffles).

Read more: Osprey Kode 22 review (1)

Featured review by Jamey Voss

If you are a skier or snowboarder you have to like this pack. It is very comfortable and stable with all the standard straps and adjustments found on larger packs. The best part about this pack is the diagonal ski carrying system that is incredibly stable and the skis are together on the front of the pack so they won't knock your calves on a steep hike. This pack is made by a snowboard accessory company, but it works just as well for skiing. It also has the best board carrying system (three straps and a stablizing strap on the top) I have ever seen.

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