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Black Diamond Bandit with Avalung Winter Pack - 690cu in
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The Black Diamond Bandit Avalung Pack does something that no other yo-yo packs do—it helps you breathe under the snow if you're caught in an avalanche. You're on your own as soon as you leave the gate at your local resort, so make sure you have the right tools for the job. This Black Diamond pack has just enough room for a shovel, probe, and a little water for short backcountry tours. Outside Magazine was so impressed that it awarded the Bandit with Gear of the Year, and this pack also won the Innovation Award at SIA--plus, skiing icon Seth Morrison loves this pack.
- These packs have been inspected and are not included in the 2010 Black Diamond AvaLung Pack Recall
Bottom Line: Be prepared even on a short backcountry run.
Talk shop with all the gear freaks out there: ask 'em questions, upload/browse photos, and give your 2¢.
Minimalist Pack
By: Will Parrett
January 5, 2012
Great Pack! Use it for days on the resort while ducking under ropes. Enough to carry the bare essentials (Avy poles, shovel, couple extra layers, and snacks). Minimalist option, great construction, hardly notice it's there.
Is this the new Fall 2011 version of the Bandit Avalung pack
Is this the new Fall 2011 version of the Bandit Avalung pack that has been re-engineered after the recall?
By: iva4601288
October 6, 2011
Even if you get the 2009 or 2010 version Black Diamond will take care ya. You just need to mail the Avalung to BD or stop by the main office in SLC.
By: Todd Kehoe
October 14, 2011
Yes
By: nicolasjov2348492
October 6, 2011
The Bare essentials.
By: Seth Morrison
October 16, 2009
I was stoked when this pack came out a few years. It is small and thats why I like it. As you can see the plaid print stands out, and stands out, important in the backcountry environment. This a day pack for skiing out access gates at your local ski area, or for carrying around some gear while skiing the area, perfect for snowcat skiing or making those dreamed about heli runs. The avalung is built in, why not? Why wouldn't you want this? To me its as important as your beacon. Last year was a prime example that slides can occur inbounds at resorts. Another tool that takes up zero space when its built right into your pack.
Look at the pic to see what I can fit into the pack, this is the max. The ski carry needs to have the lower loop as tight as possible to the ski, you can preset and tuck away in its opening from the pack. Then on the upper removable strap make sure the strap goes under your lowest part of the toe piece and make it tight as possible. Having it set up this way will have the tails as high up as possible so as to not hit the back of your legs. The shovel goes upside down in the pack, works perfectly with the Black Diamond Deploy 3 Shovel.
Mind you this pack is for short trips, and can be an everyday pack for the other listed activities, rarely do I use anything bigger. Depends what you like to bring and if your spending the night out in the field.
4 Comments Last Comment: September 8, 2010 by: Seth Morrison
By: Seth Morrison
September 8, 2010
thats it stu!
By: stubowling2357612
May 16, 2010
Write your comment here...What else do you have in that kit (picture) as standard Seth?
By: Seth Morrison
February 21, 2010
Yes they are!
By: D. Joshua Christensen
November 4, 2009
yo Seth, are those alpine trekkers in that picture?
I've got a pair of center-mounted fatties. When I try and
I've got a pair of center-mounted fatties. When I try and carry them with this backpack my boots keep clipping the tails. Not only is it annoying but also potentially dangerous walking on gnar ridges. I tried hooking the top strap below my front bindings to give more clearance but this made the strap anchor rip off the pack because it was holding too much weight. What to do? Just got a new one off warranty and trying to figure out the deal.
By: cla3251547
December 3, 2010
small but featured...
By: Andy Jacobsen
April 30, 2009
Nice day pack for shorter days in the backcountry or perfect for cruising around the resort on day that you might head out a gate towards the backcountry. I know a lot of people are starting to wear beacons and avalungs inbounds these days, I think this is the perfect pack for that.
1 Comment Last Comment: October 14, 2011 by: Todd Kehoe
By: Todd Kehoe
October 14, 2011
I think it is an ideal pack for someplace like JHMR (with all the slackcountry options off JHMR) & Teton Pass.
Blower 4 Pines pow
By: Todd Kehoe
October 14, 2011
Recovering from being thrown back seat from what I though was a small hit, & was a tad bigger. At least this time you can actually see the pack at first glance.
Avalanche Burial with Black Diamond AvaLung
By: Brad Barlage
March 5, 2010
On a heli-ski trip out of Haines, AK in April 2008, experienced backcountry skier Chris Cardello was prepared and knew the risks. He was also wearing a helmet cam. This footage is an intense first person perspective on being caught in an avalanche, riding it to burial, breathing through a Black Diamond AvaLung and being rescued by trained professionals. Be safe out there!
The Black Diamond AvaLung allows you to breathe fresh air directly from the snowpack, buying you precious time during a rescue. Rebreathing exhaled air when youre buried causes suffocation because the air becomes oversaturated with carbon dioxide and depleted of oxygen. The AvaLung diverts the exhausted air away from your fresh-air intake zone, considerably extending the time your partners have to conduct a successful recovery.
How does the diagonal ski carry system work? I don't see
How does the diagonal ski carry system work? I don't see loops... Thanks!
By: ego3902594
October 6, 2010
On the two loops on the top of the pack, there is a strap with a small clip (not pictured in the picture w/ the pack) you feed into it. That is the only thing I'm not crazy about on the pack, but it is minimalist style of pack.
I keep the strap clipped into one of the inside clips (on the top inside) on the pack whenever possible when I'm riding. I never want to have to dig through the pack or never loose them when I'm not hiking. I'm always worried to if I keep it on the outside it'll come off, snag you up in the trees and/or break.
It would just suck to lose that strap & have to scramble up something like Cody Peak (half way it gets pretty gnarly at times). I got an extra strap for free from BD when I was worried it would get lost. They are pretty cool guys there at the SLC headquarters.
By: Todd Kehoe
October 14, 2011
side country, small mish wizard
By: Cody Barnhill
March 25, 2010
I love this pack for small tours and for little trips out of the resort because it holds the load really nicely on your back so that it skis lighter than it really is. Only caution is that it certainly is a small pack, so it requires a little tetris to get skins, trekkers, and other gear in there.
If I pack a couple of bottles of water in the backpack will they
If I pack a couple of bottles of water in the backpack will they freeze or is it warm enough inside to keep them unfrozen.
By: Emerson
September 6, 2010
Use a Camelbak, there is an integrated feature for that in the pack.
By: Todd Kehoe
October 14, 2011
Totally depends on how cold it is outside. You'd probably be fine down to the low/mid twenties. Below that and depending on how long they were in the bag, you might have some problems. Platypus does make a flexible water bottle/bag type thing that you can stick in a jacket pocket and use your body heat to keep from melting. Might be more comfortable than doing it with a hard sided water bottle as that might be the only way to keep the liquid from freezing. You could also try using an insulated thermos!
By: knanier
September 7, 2010
Perfect pack
By: Julian Carr
January 11, 2010
Just the right amount of room for what you need. Not too small. Not too big. Perfect for skins, trekkers, extra layer, water, shovel, ProBar, probe, radio, extra pair of goggles, plus it has the built in AvaLung. Perfect pack. And a really good, adjustable fit.
1 Comment Last Comment: October 14, 2011 by: Todd Kehoe
By: Todd Kehoe
October 14, 2011
The only problem is make sure you have a hard goggle case or good spot for them, I scratched up some mirror lens on my spare goggles when it shifted the wrong way during the day.
On Snow Photo
By: Ryan Schmitt
May 31, 2010
My Bandit Avalung Keeping me safer out in the East Vail Chutes.
Would this pack work for me? I'm around 6'5 and on the
Would this pack work for me? I'm around 6'5 and on the skinny side (around 190 pounds).
By: Jerad
March 12, 2010
Depends on how much junk you want to pack. This is a tiny pack, it may look funny. I say go for the BD Agent, it slim and low profile but a tad longer and has a better shovel compartment.
By: Michael Kisow
May 1, 2010
Solid smaller slackcountry bc pack
By: Todd Kehoe
October 8, 2011
I ski Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and this is an ideal pack for the Tetons with all the slackcountry off JHMR & Teton Pass. It is fairly simplistic for day trips, basically it has room for your probe, skins, shovel, & few extra items. It is lightweight & does not feel bulky.
The only con is the smaller size, I upgraded to the medium sized Black Diamond Corvert Avalung pack that I got a deal I could not pass up on. I loved the Bandit pack, it was all I really needed for JHMR slackcountry. However, on trips with more length of hiking/skinning (like Grand Teton Nat'l park for example) it was hard to squeeze in extra supplies into the pack.
If you just wanna do just shorter bc or slackcountry trips this pack for you. This is an ideal to have for a mtn with a lot of slackcountry options.
What is the best hydration system to use with this pack
What is the best hydration system to use with this pack
By: brennan
February 26, 2010
I use a 100 oz. camelbak bladder (I fill it up 2/3 to 3/4 of the way) in this pack, it works/fits quite well. Everything else fits fine, no problems.
By: Todd Kehoe
October 14, 2011
Will this pack fit the BCA Traverse EXT shovel?
Will this pack fit the BCA Traverse EXT shovel?
By: Keith
February 18, 2010
Low pro!
By: Michael Pinnell
January 24, 2010
I like this pack it fits a shovel, probe, water, snack, camera, skins and a small first aid kit just perfect for doing laps at Loveland or Berthoud pass. Has a low profile so getting on a chair lift it doesn't push you too far forward like some ski packs do. Oh yeah and the avalung can save your life! Did ya see that video!
Blower 4 Pines pow
By: Todd Kehoe
October 14, 2011
If you look really, really, really, really, really, really closely beyond the JH slackcountry blower pow in 4 Pines you can the Avalung in Bandit in action.
Hi there, will this pack fit the black diamond lynx shovel with
Hi there, will this pack fit the black diamond lynx shovel with the blade and handle detached, i just want to make sure the handle will go inside. Thanks!!!!!
By: Justin Slaight
November 15, 2009
It will but just remember that this pack is rather small and you may not have much room left for other things. The BD deploy 3 would be the best bet for a shovel. BD make an "Agent" pack that is just slightly larger.
By: Michael Kisow
November 21, 2009
Great Pack
By: Josh Frank
January 7, 2010
Just bought this pack and it's awesome. Perfect size, not too bulky and still fits everything you need and has a low profile so it stays close to your back and is pretty easy to get on lifts with. It fits a water bladder without a problem and the insulated sleeve works well. It's nice how you can open it fully it makes it easy to access everything. It can fit a shovel, probe, extra goggles, gloves, hat, shirt and bladder without a problem. If you're looking for a low profile pack that will work well in the backcountry and can also be used without a problem at the resorts this is the way to go. Avalung is always a plus to have as well.
How will the bandit fit for a bigger person, roughly 6'0
How will the bandit fit for a bigger person, roughly 6'0"?
By: Colton Burch
August 25, 2009
It should fit fine, I'm 5'10" and there is room for adjustment on arm, waist and chest straps.
By: Seth Morrison
October 25, 2009
Great small pack
By: sil2736967
April 13, 2009
I've taken it on several bc trips this year, and as long as you pack thoughtfully it can hold everything you need, and the ski down is great.
I carry a spot locator, small first aid kit, down sweater (if you want extra warmth, needs to be down otherwise I don't think it will all fit), goggles, big warm gloves, nalgene and a hogie. Plus of course shovel (short grizzly) and probe. One drawback is that if you use a camelback in the sleeve I find it very hard to pack (easiest with the shovel flush against the back, though a detachable shovel might change things), so just bring a nalgene instead. Another issue of course is size, I need to swap out my big gloves for skins on the way down.
The ski strap system is fine for short carries, and fits any size ski. I have dynafit manaslu, not sure if I'd want to lug pontoons on this system
Minimal outside straps, but I can thread my helmet chin strap through the two small outside loops, and the have a cord running through the haul loop to store my jacket if its a warm start.
Fit is great, super snug and slim profile, great for the skiing down; just takes some thought on packing and organizing to gt it right.
Overall, just big enough for day long BC trips, and perfect for semi-off-piste at a resort. Five stars, for what it is supposed to be.
hi can i put my camelback into that backpack, is there a whole
hi can i put my camelback into that backpack, is there a whole on the shoulder straps for thatBlack Diamond Bandit with Avalung Winter Pack - 690cu inItem #BLD0380thanks
By: mario
February 11, 2009
Yes, and there's an insulated sleeve through one of the straps so it doesn't freeze.
By: Angus Bohanon
February 11, 2009
Great small pack.
By: Ryan
April 27, 2009
This thing is by no means big, but it can handle a shovel, probe, extra gloves and hat, which is all I really need when steeping out of bounds from the resort. The added benefit of having the avalung included in a lightweight, comfortable pack is huge. My only gripe is that the waist strap is pretty small (it is comfortable to ride with, but difficult to find and strap together at times).
will this back fit a small mens frame.... for my 12 year old
will this back fit a small mens frame.... for my 12 year old
By: walt
February 3, 2009
The pack should work fine. It is a little small for my liking but for a 12 year old i would imagine that it would be great. It has ample adjustability and should tighten up just fine for the kid.
By: Will Cardamone
June 30, 2009
The length of this pack is 16-19 inches. Should fit fine.
By: Shane O'Donnell
February 3, 2009
Great Day touring pack
By: Jonny Atencio
January 8, 2009
Work perfect with Backcountry Access Tour Shovel System, or most other shovels. Put your hydration pack in there, you have room for skins, a layer, gogs, gloves, and what other small essentials you'll need. Simple ski carrying system seems to work nicely, don't think it would work so hot with a snowboard. So far so good, i am stoked on its performance so far
Hi Is the avalung removable from the BD pack?/John
Hi Is the avalung removable from the BD pack?/John
By: John Thorstenson
January 26, 2009
You CANNOT remove the avalung from this pack, it is integrated
By: Alexander Klivecka
February 2, 2009
Would this pack have room for SLR camera and a small amount of
Would this pack have room for SLR camera and a small amount of padding? Thanks.
By: Mike Saemisch
January 17, 2009
I'd say no if you want to bring any spare clothes.
By: sil2736967
April 11, 2009
Just barely.
By: Angus Bohanon
January 17, 2009
can this big carry fat skis?? like 130mm ?
can this big carry fat skis?? like 130mm ?
By: Pow Hog
January 10, 2009
I have skis that are 191 cm/146-128-133 mm at tip/waist/tail & they fit with ease.
By: Todd Kehoe
October 14, 2011
sure, you would just carry less of everything else. I have a 12L pack that i use 80% of the time and my 140mm skins fit just fine.
By: Gabe Westheimer
January 11, 2009
being an aussie with little extreme experience but plenty of
being an aussie with little extreme experience but plenty of resort access out of bounds riding id like to know is it better to ride with only the avalung harness style,in the case of an avalanche,because a backpack with the avalung inbuilt would have more chance of being "ripped off"???
By: todd blatchford
January 9, 2009
That's a valid point, but if you keep all the straps buckled you should be fine. There are dozens of pro athletes that wear the packs with the avalung built in. The beacon on the other hand, that has to be under all your outer clothes.
By: Angus Bohanon
January 9, 2009
is there any way to strap snowshoes onto this?
is there any way to strap snowshoes onto this?
By: Ben Logsdon
December 18, 2008
You could probably rig a cord through the top haul loop and the bottom ski carry strap; but wouldn't be ideal.
By: sil2736967
April 11, 2009
Only if you sew your own straps on.
By: Bud Martin
December 18, 2008
Does this pack come with a shovel and probe for $152.96?
Does this pack come with a shovel and probe for $152.96?
By: Arne Nervik
December 6, 2008
there is another offer on bc.com and maybe tramdock where you can get the shovel and probe + pack for 224 or something. really good deal imo...
By: Brian G. Sweeney
June 17, 2009
This is just a pack and avalung
By: Michael Kisow
December 6, 2008
Is the avalung removable? Or does it stow away?
Is the avalung removable? Or does it stow away?
By: Fabrizio Verga
November 3, 2008
The Avalung is NOT removable. It is integrated into the pack. The mouth piece does stow away in the shoulder strap. You cannot use the lung from this pack as a stand alone piece.
By: Ed Carley
March 22, 2011
It is removable, but the Avalung port is not.
By: alexandsos
January 5, 2009
I don't have a black diamond shovel or probe, how do i know
I don't have a black diamond shovel or probe, how do i know they will fit in this bag?
By: ale2489150
October 18, 2008
the BD revelation ski pack allegedly just barely fits some BD shovel blades - i'd double check.
By: Brian G. Sweeney
June 17, 2009
Because it makes sense that Black Diamond would make gear that is compatible with their other gear.
By: Angus Bohanon
October 18, 2008
Can this thing really carry a snowboard...? I can't quite
Can this thing really carry a snowboard...? I can't quite see how, but you never know I guess.
By: Chad Thornley
October 6, 2008
according to black diamond product support and my own experience having just purchased this pack, it is NOT designed to carry a snowboard. it appears to be set up for vertical/diagonal ski carry; I've rigged it to (awkwardly) carry my board vertically. as with any pack you _could_ carry a board between your back and the pack, but it's not ideal.
If you need avalung and want something built to carry a board, the BD outlaw (Item #BLD0381) is probably the way to go...
By: delsul640998
April 1, 2009
It's got a strap on the bottom and the top that you can't see in the photo. It's more designed for ski carry than snowboard, since the snowboard will have to be horizontal, but it'll do it.
By: Angus Bohanon
October 7, 2008
Can a black diamond deploy 3 shovel fit in this pack?Or do I
Can a black diamond deploy 3 shovel fit in this pack?Or do I need to size up?Thanks
By: William richmond
September 9, 2008
it'll fit either the deploy 3 or 7.
By: nkuder2410529
September 10, 2008
Change me.
Please choose an option to order this item.
Green Olive, One Size (179.95)
Seth Plaid Orange, One Size (179.95)
Minimalist Pack
Great Pack! Use it for days on the resort while ducking under ropes. Enough to carry the bare essentials (Avy poles, shovel, couple extra layers, and snacks). more...
The Bare essentials.
I was stoked when this pack came out a few years. It is small and thats why I like it. As you can see the plaid print stands out, and stands out, important more...
- Material:
- 840D nylon, 420D nylon
- Volume:
- 11 L
- Waist-Belt:
- yes
- Hydration Compatible:
- yes, insulated
- Rain Cover:
- no
- Access Types:
- panel
- Pockets:
- 1 front
- Ski Carry:
- yes, diagonal
- Snowboard Carry:
- no
- Weight:
- 1020 g
- Recommended Use:
- backcountry skiing
- Manufacturer Warranty:
- 1 year
Comment on Will Parrett's review >