Black Diamond Slide Winter Pack - 1200-1831cu in - 2007 BCS

Trim and well thought out. Has everything you need in a day pack and nothing else.

Perfect day ski pack. I wish these were still available so I could buy another. Used mine heavily for 3 years until the zipper finally blew out.

A brilliant backpack. Very comfortable and beautiful.

I've only had the pack for a month or so, but so far so good. I purchased the pack for multiple use, including day hikes winter backcountry, and day-to-day bike commuting.

Strengths: 1) ease of getting things in and out; 2) impressive suspension for such a small pack up to 25 -30lbs, in relative comfort, 3)plenty of space without being too bulky when empty; this makes it a good commuter/day-to-day pack. 4) What looks and feels like great quality; bomber main-zipper and tough fabric for it's weight. Of course this pack is only a month old, so time will be the ultimate test. 5) Price, for ~$80.00 there aren't too many other options for a multiple use pack like this one.

Weakness (minor): 1) only one size. I have a short torso (17inch) and wish that the pack came one to two inches shorter in the back panel. Though with most of my loads being under 30lbs this hasn't been too much of an issue. 2) Straps, I hate loose hanging straps and this pack scores a 7 on a 1-10 scale of annoying loose straps.

Hiking: as advertised the pack is easy to to things get in and out of. The 30L version has more than enough room to store day use essentials for me and my girlfriend: rain-shells, extra thermals, lunch, guide book, camera (pocket or SLR) and a liter jug of water. (it also has a hydration bladder pocket if you prefer). In all, a great pack for day hikes, though I would be very hard pressed to use it for an overnight trip.

Winter Backcountry: First, I have yet to take a backcountry trip with this pack. That said, it is designed specifically for backcountry skiing/snowboarding day trips, and so provides an outer pocket to store a shovel and probe that are accessible after releasing one buckle and lifting the overhanging flap. It can also carry skis (a-frame), snowboard/shoeshoes (with an extra webbing attachment) and has ice-axe loops. If you are a snowboarder, know that attaching snowshoes for decent will require their removal to access shovel/probe compartment. All of that said, I have not field tested any of these functions beyond the confines of my garage and cannot comment on functionality when having stiff fingers and frozen buckles.

Day-to-Day: Even though I purchased this pack for active pursuits I still needed it to double/triple as a bike commuter bag that can keep my laptop and office goods dry here in the rainy northwest. So far so good, though I don't know why Black Diamond abstained from using the urithan covered zipper and instead used the pre-2000 method of covering the main compartment zipper with a flap of overhanging fabric. Perhaps more technical reviewers have an answer, but like I said, so far it has stayed dry inside.

Take home review: Great pack that I'd recommend to any one looking for a semi technical pack that can be used for multiple purposes and not sit in the closet 9 months of the year.

It'll carry a shovel, probe, puffy, food and water with room left over for anything else you'll need on your front country tour while not sticking out far enough to be a PIA on the chairlift. Great little pack.

Zippers are rockin strong and smooth, durable, pockets work pretty good, holds a lot of stuff. Love this backpack great price and it holds my skis and snowboard.

Took this pack on a heli ski trip to Alaska and it was very good. It held a shovel, probe and all my gear with no trouble. It allowed a full range of movement and never got in my way.

I have a Kelty pack with the same advertised torso length, and the Kelty fits me great. But this pack is clearly too short for me...I had to give it to my 6th grade son. Otherwise, it's high quality.

BD makes the best gear and this pack is extremely nice! The front pockets are well thought out and it fits well and the best thing is the little whistle that is built into the chest buckle strap. Thanks BD!!

This is a great sized pack for fairly short day hikes in the backcountry. The shovel compartment is nice, but the handle and probe pockets could have a better design so they can be stored externally and hence reached more easily. The pack is very comfortable and fits quite well with very limited movement. All in all a good pack for the price.

This is a perfect backcountry ski pack but would be better if it was 3 inches longer and 2 inches wider. It's a tight fit for a big Black Diamond shovel, probe, and survival gear but unlike a lot of bigger heavier more expensive packs, this one actually does fit all those things in.

I use this bag as a daypack and I wore it in an adventure race, it rides well on my back and the 20L is big enough for a days worth or supplies. WHat makes it even better though is that my girlfriend says it looks "cute".

The BD Slide pack is light, ultra comfortable, and very functional. I've used it from light backcountry touring, to bicycle commuting, to alpine climbing. It does great.

I've used this pack everywhere from Vail to Silverton to the backcountry. I love the ease of use for attaching skis, storing your layers, & even accessing your chapstick. It's extremely comfortable with heavier loads.