The one part of this pack that really sells it for me is the front access. It has a zipper right where the pack rests on your back so all you have to do is take your shoulder straps off and spin it around on your waste and you can get to all your gear in the pack. It is great for photographers who are always having to take their pack on and off to access their camera. It also has the avalung which is a huge plus. I would recommend it for any avid backcountry traveler both snowboarders and skiers.

This is one of the best backcountry packs I have used. Its a perfect size and the avalung is key. The packs features are simple and straight forward but it has everything you need.

I bought the Covert 32L and love the backpack but have found the strap with the air intake to be very uncombortable on my shoulder, digs in quite a bit. Has anyone else had this problem? Will it just break in eventually or should I try to exchange it?

This is a good one. Used it many times this winter. Functional, not too big, not too small. Hip-belt pockets are great for cameras, inhalers, etc. Has room for extra layers, big lunch, skins, goggle box, firstaid, leatherman... and all your usual avy gear. Only down side is the pouch for the water bladder is a little small.

This is a good pack. Plenty of room for shovel, spare clothing and the avalung is essential. Carried skies quite well when hiking. One shortfall is the size of the bladder pouch- its too small (short) for a 3ltr camelbak. I have another smaller pack that accommodates this quite easily. The insulated sleeve for the camelbak tube is also a good feature.

I bought this pack for the Avalung and because I'm a gear nerd. I bought it without much consideration for any other feature. Fortunately, Black Diamond did take the time to think this pack through thoroughly so that I didn't have to. You're probably already familiar with the Avalung- you screw up big time and get buried, you get to breath clean oxygen and hang out while your buddies dig out your lame ass. I always ride with a pack in the back country so it seemed appropriate to purchase a pack with the Avalung built in. One of my favorite features of this pack is that your avalanche gear stores in a separate compartment from everything else. Open one zipper and you have instant, organized access to your shovel, probe, saw, and whatever else you hauled up the hill to get ya out of trouble. I can see this as being a real time saver in an emergency. The main compartment has plenty of room to haul a day's worth of gear and can be accessed from from the back panel as well which is nice if you have things strapped to the back that you don't want to disrupt. My only gripe with this pack is that the only option for carrying your board is vertical. There are times when the horizontal carry method works much better, like when you're on a snowmobile. It's a minor complaint though and overall the pack is very comfortable and well thought out.

Rode all last weekend with it, lifts on Saturday and a day hike Sunday. This pack is super ergo and hugs your body really well when riding. BD put their time in on this one. I'm a snowboarder so the back access is really nice when hiking. Strap Adjustments are easy to use and having the Avalung on it gives a little piece of mind. Hopefully, I never need to use it. Camelback bladders slide into the hydration port easily and the right side shoulder strap has a zippered pouch that keeps your hydration tube insulated and out of sight.

did a few day tours with it and it worked awesome, for sure nothing I would take on a multi day tour but perfect for a dawn to dusk type trip. My camel back fit in the bladder pouch fine and had good access to my avy gear and skins.I didnt use the zipper on the back side of the pack but seems like it could come in handy if I pack my board. Overall was stoked on it as a day pack

i finally got to use mine the other day and i really like how well it cinches down to your back so it is easy to ski with, the avalung is also very convenient, i might even have it out if i thought i could fall in a tree well or need a snorkel because the snow is too deep.

I haven't got to use this bag yet because the snow hasn't came yet, but I have worn it around the house alot and I love it. I can't wait to get out there and use it. Enough pockets to carry everything you need in this bag. Some people think that the ava lung isn't needed, but when your snowboarding in places like Utah where avalanches can be an everday occurence, any extra devise that can help save my life makes me feel a little more confident when riding.