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Description

The smallest of BCA's airbag-enabled backpacks, but no less effective than the big boys.

Because of its minimalist design, the Float 22 Airbag Backpack feels light on your back, and this pack carries just enough for an afternoon sidecountry mission, helicopter or sled-accessed powder laps, or a quick dawn patrol. And like all of BCA's Float backpacks, this pack offers the protection of a trigger-activated airbag that helps you stay on top of sliding debris should you find yourself suddenly caught in an avalanche. At just five and a half pounds, the Float 22 pack barely weighs in much heavier than some backpacking bags, and it offers a compressed-air system that can drastically increase your chances of surviving an avalanche when you're on skis or a snowboard. Stash your shovel, probe, lunch, and a spare layer in the main compartment, and shred your favorite powder stash with extra peace of mind.

  • Easy-to-operate airbag system uses a compressed air cylinder to inflate a large synthetic airbag behind your head and shoulders in order to increase your overall buoyancy and decrease your likelihood of full burial if you're caught in an avalanche
  • Highly-durable, single-chamber airbag inflates via a 2,700 psi compressed air tank operated by a trigger that can be placed on either the left or right backpack shoulder strap
  • Venturi inflation system is TUV and CE certified
  • External shovel and probe pocket give you a place to store your avalanche survival tools for quick access
  • Diagonal ski carry frees your hands on steep slopes so you can lean into the slope and dig with your ice tools
  • Helmet carry keeps your brain bucket secure so you can take it off for the heli or the tram ride
  • BCA recommends that you deploy your airbag at least once per year. Once you have discharged the compressed air cylinder, you need to bring it or send it back to BCA, BCA Canada, or to an authorized BCA Float cylinder refill station
  • Follow this link to enter your area and see a full list of cylinder refill locations near you: http://www.backcountryaccess.com/about/map/
  • Editor’s Note: wearing this airbag system does NOT guarantee that you will survive an avalanche burial or a slide amidst avalanche debris; get educated, get the right tools, travel with partners, and be smart out there
  • **Cylinder Sold Separately**

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Backcountry Access Float 22 Airbag Backpack - 1343cu in

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Here's what others have to say...

5 5

jwcate321292

Member since 
  • Gender: Male
  • Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

Have used this for a couple of months,now, and am very satisfied. It replaced an older Float 30, and is a huge improvement. Among other things, it is much lighter, and surprisingly, actually holds as much or more stuff. I easily fit in a down jacket in a stuff sack, a hat, skins and harscheisen, probe and shovel, lunch, 3/4 liter of water, a camera, spare gloves, and goggles, and there is still a little room to spare. It fits me well (5'8", 155 lbs) and carries comfortably on climbs and skiing. Nice roomy belt packet, too. Things I would improve: add an exterior strap or two to carry a jacket or sweater when it's warm; the metal waist buckle is finicky and hard to open and close with gloves on, making the thing a bit of a pain when taking off for lift rides; and the chest strap buckle proved to be flimsy and broke after just a few uses. (BCA promptly sent a new beefier one, but I have not yet figured how to remove and replace the slider device!). I have deployed this twice (in order to take on a plane) and it worked fine. My local scuba shop fills it for $5 (compare that to refilling / recharging an ABS bag!). But get this. I took it to the Alps for two weeks. I contacted BCA in advance for advice on refilling it upon arrival. They are just building a network there, and unfortunately, there were no stations convenient to my itinerary (Verbier, then Val d'Isere). At the last minute, I got a call from the European rep, based in Chamonix, saying he'll meet me at the Geneva airport. There, he filled my tank from his vehicle, and refused to take any payment. Talk about customer service! Buy this one now at a great price, or wait and see what further improvements they make next year...can't go wrong either way.

4 5

Matt Layne

Member since 
  • Gender: Male
  • Familiarity: I've used it several times

I owned the Float 18 and this pack is a big improvement. There is now enough space in the pack for me to take it on day tours. I can fit a light down jacket, mittens, 32L Nalgene, goggles, skins, food, and a med kit. There is even a little extra room to spare. The biggest downfall of the pack is the ski carry strap. It is simply too large, and with no adjuster, your skis end up hitting rocks and your boots while hiking. I cut my strap in half, did a little sewing, added a buckle and now have an adjustable strap like the Float 30 did. Also, I still wish there was another external pocket (besides the hip belt), so I don't have to go in the main compartment, but oh well. The helmet carrier works perfectly. I can't wait til next year, when the "pack only" option will be available" and I can swap the system to the 32 pack if needed. Actually I'd suggest that BCA sell a 36 or 40, since the 32 is pretty damn close to the 22.