This pack is great -- the mouthpiece and drinking tube never freeze, even after a day of skiing in in sub-zero weather. Construction quality of the pack is great.

Throughout the toughest elements, you will stay hydrated with this pack. I recently used it in subzero temps with wind chill and nothing froze. Even if you leave the bite valve out for too long, a couple of bites break up the ice due to its design. It is compact to ride a chairlift with no problems, or it can expand to fit a helmet inside. A full-size metal shovel with long D handle shovel just fits inside. It would probably work fine for minimalist hut tours if you hooked a sleeping bag on the outside. The pockets are simple yet sufficient. There is a big sleeve inside for shovel handle, probe and tractor skins. It is easy to accumulate a lot of stuff in the one inner mesh pocket. The small outer pocket can hold sunglasses or goggles, but not both. Plenty of outer straps are there to attach your three-piece poles when you descend. If you really want to compress it down, the straps are a little long and they can flop around. The stock bladder seems thin enough to pop/leak easily and I don't know how to take the bite valve apart yet. All in all a great pack once you work the system out. It would be great for other cold weather activities too.

I carried this pack for the last two seasons. This pack's design is reasonably good, with the hose concealed within the shoulder strap to protect it from freezing, and a very solid snowboard attachment. The zippers are highly water resistant as advertised. Its low profile and broad waist belt make it a pleasant carry.

But it has a number of little annoying flaws. First, the waist belt is 3-4 inches up the back panel from the bottom, rather than being down at the level of the bottom of the pack. If you ever end up taking a heel-side digger, it will scoop up snow between your back and the pack because of the 3-4 inches of pack below your waist belt.

Second, the waist belt and shoulder straps are both lined with mesh. They both pick up snow and hold it, so if you drop your pack in the snow, you get wet. Other manufacturers have made this mistake as well, but it is still a bummer.

Third, the main zipper isn't the easiest to move. I had to spray it with a copious amount of silicone to get it to move more freely. The cut of the top of the pack contributes to this problem more than the zipper.

Finally, the pack seems small for its claimed volume, especially when you have a shovel blade in the shovel pocket. It doesn't do well at carrying a helmet internally when you have all your other stuff (shell, gloves, etc.) in there skinning back up.

I love this pack. I finally got to use it for snowboarding—lack of snow here in CA.
It’s totally waterproof, I even used it biking in a torrential downpour and my drawings were dry as a bone. It’s easy to use zippers in gloves and nice small compartments on top of the larger ones hold your goodies. The snowboard attachment is quick and secure and the hydration system doesn’t freeze.
The only thing that would be a plus to this pack would be a waist belt compartment which I’ve grown accustomed to on my Golite pack.

I took this pack to South America for a 3 week backcountry trip and it basically fell apart. Two straps broke and the hose for the hydration system free flowed water. Coincidently, my buddies pack (BC Rider) also fell apart. Thanks to this site for taking it back hassle free. I exchanged the BC Rider for an Osprey. The Osprey is definitely a bomber pack.

A very good backpack that fulfills my needs. Fits snugly, which is important in steep and difficult terrain. Waterproof, which is very important when caught in a summer thundershower, or in the snow. Adequate number of pockets, although more would be even better (you can never have too many). Also good for snowshoeing, with easy access to the second large compartment which I use for extra clothing. Proprietary bladder system is a negative, especially the awkward restraining tie-down, which will be jettisoned; Camelbak or Platypus would be better. Sleeve for drinking tube is a good idea, but is hard to insert. Overall, an excellent backpack that I'd recommend to others.

I have not used it properly yet, but if you stash the board vertically it bangs up against your legs and you cannot carry it horizontally. The camel pack is good, nicely designed and the storage for your shovel is good as it releases water that may be on the shovel. All in all not bad.