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.

Great bag. Fits a little small. I used the Black Diamond sizing guide and was of course, right in-between sizes. Went a with the smaller bag and its just a hair to small. Nothing annoying. Took this bag on a hike already and it works great. Very well thought out, easily adjustable. Can't wait to hit the pow with it!

I just bough this pack and tested it out in about a foot of Sierra Powder. The pack fits great thanks to the various strap adjustments and was very comfortable on my shoulders. This pack works great for a day at the resort, the avalung stays hidden and safe in your shoulder strap and the pack is not so bulky that you are falling off the lift (even with three jackets inside). In the backcountry is where this pack really shines though. When you are hiking the pack distributes the weight of the skis very nicely and can hold some pretty wide skis (121 at the binding). When skiing the pack does not hamper you at all even on some pretty steep descents.

I love this backpack. I am very impressed with all of the features. The hip belt pockets are awesome, the "back door" entrance is genius, the side sinch down straps make it very compact, the snowboard carrying system is perfect, the insulated hydration sleeve seems very nicely done- even though I haven't looked for a bladder to fit the pouch (from other reviews I heard it was a little difficult to find one that fits best). The compartment for avy tools is very easily accessible and fits a BD deploy 7 shovel and any probe perfectly. and the avalung adds a little extra peace of mind and is a perfect addition to a complete set of avalanche safety gear and backcountry knowledge.
Having said that, the only thing that I don't like about this pack is the location of the air valve. located on the left shoulder strap, this one way air valve is cleverly designed to pull oxygen in through the breathable fabric and close when co2 is pushed through directing it out the bottom of the pack. My issue with it is that this approximately two inch long box is placed directly on top of the crest of the shoulder! This inhibits the strap from contouring to the shoulder as the crest is a box. When I first put the pack on I felt this blemish immediately as I had just ridden the train accross the country and had soar shoulders. When I wore the pack on the mountain for the first time it wasn't as noticable because the hip and chest strap system is so supportive it takes the pressure off the shoulders. This pack definately straps on to your back more than it hangs from your shoulders which I love. I think that putting the box behind the head in the body of the pack would be a better place. Or further down the shoulder strap, substituting the length of the tube with the mouthpiece on it, which when fully extended hangs halfway down my thigh. I don't understand how, when testing it, someone at BD could put this pack on and think that this is the best place for this box. I even considered widening the hole that is the tube enterance into the shoulder strap a tiny bit so it would be big enough to move the valve box through it and stash it behind my head in the pack. This would comprimise the avalung system which is designed for you to be able to do all of your breathing through this hose in your mouth, even though I think there would still be enough air back there. I still haven't loaded the pack for a full day in the backcountry, only wore it in bounds on some powder days to get used to it and some small side country runs. I'm sure that the more weight I put in it, the more I'll feel the box. So far it's not bad and for me this is not a deal buster because the pros far outweigh this con.

Wow this is the best day pack ever! I had a Covert Avalung last year and thought it was perfect, but man was I wrong. This holds everything you need for a day tour (shovel/probe, skins on the way down, an extra layer/gloves, goggles, some munchies, H20 bladder) and still cinches down super tight when you need to use it for lift accessed. The BD Deploy 7 shovel fits in the front pocket like they were designed with each other in mind (maybe?), and the Avalung really doesn't bother you as long as you have a couple layers on, though if you are wearing it over a single base layer or something I could see it being annoying. I'm 6'1, pretty skinny, and the M/L fits just right. Plenty of room for adjustment from my size either way. It also has a rigid wire internal frame to keep it from getting weird bulges. The only thing I have found off is that it won't fit a full 100oz Camelbak on the hanger, but with a bit of that gone it will slide in and hang on. All in all it is a phenomenal product.

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.

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 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?

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.

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 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.