Arc'teryx Silo 50 Backpack - 2746-3173cu in - 2008 BCS

In February I used a Silo 52L on two 10 day backcountry ski tours of Norway. Daily skiing was between huts in the brilliant DMT hut system, where you can replenish food on a daily basis at each hut, reducing the requirement to backpack food for the whole trip. I would agree with Greg Hill's comment about a 1 to 3 day adventure carrying capacity limit.

I can't speak highly enough of Arc'teryx ergonomic and well thought out designs including their use of materials, and have placed my faith in their equipment for the last 7 years. I used to own an earlier Arc'teryx model called the Khamski pack which this one has replaced.

Very functional, excellent form and fit for skiing. Comfortable harness and load bearing.

A 50L bag is ideal for 1-3 days any longer and you should not have a bag this small.

I used this bag two years ago and had great success with it. I mostly day tripped with it and it fits all the essential mountain gear. Avi gear, first aid, downjacket and ropes if needed. The roll top opens quickly and easily for top access and I used the side zip for the rest.

Ski strap system is set up for either skis or snowboard, but it seems to have a little too much going on for just my skis. I ended up modifying it a tiny bit to make it strickly for skis.

great pack

I have many of Arc'Teryx different backpacks, in addition to a lot of their clothes and other gear. Simply, because I have found out that it is the BEST. I'm doing a lot of Scouting, high adventure, backpacking, camping both in the US and in Northern Europe. Silo 50 Backpack has a lot of space, easy to pack and to reach into(from top and side)One big main compartment, one big pocket of the front and a big, very useful pocket on the top. It is a ''roll-over'' closing at the top, very easy to handle. A couple of great adjustment straps.The internal frame, back support, shoulder straps and hip belt is very comfortable and well adjustable. It creates a good unit with your body. There is a lot of volume in this bag, if you don't need it all, just adjust the straps tighter. I use Silo 50 for many Scout backpacking-trips for long weekends, My Bora 80 or Naos 70 for longer high adventure trips. I am a quite minimalistic backpacker, but bring all I need for a comfortable trip and get it all + stove, fuel and food into my bag. Inside pocket for Water Bladder and a small water bottle pocket on the outside. Only thing I miss is a hook to fix the Water bladder to. I use the big compartment for my Big Agnes Mummy Air mattress, Marmot EQ sleepingbag, MSR stove, fuel bottle, Water bladder and clothes I don't need to reach quickly. Rain gear, gloves, beanie, snacks,tooth brush, First Aid kit etc in the top and front pockets. I always pack in Zip bags or water tight compressible bags. The ''Top-roll'' can come in contact with your neck and I place a fleece neckerchief there to stretch my head against. I have not carried skies on it yet, but there is a couple of very good ''rubbered'' straps to fix extra equipment with.

No, I am not stoked on my new gear -- I returned it. I chose Arcteryx because the Bora pack I bought over 10 years ago provided me excellent service, until it got stolen. I chose this silo 50 for the ski carry capability, but other than that I did not like it. It is too small to carry skis, mountaineering gear, winter survival gear, camping gear, 2 l of water and food for a Mt. Shasta type climb and descent. The padding and strap construction are not really rugged enough for the 60+ pounds I carry when ski gear is strapped on. The other thing I did not like was this goofy rollover top that hits you in the back of the head. This bag would probably be OK for a day trip with lighter loads.