I bought the poacher early last season and use it for work as a ski patroller in Canada . It's a great pack. I looked at quite a few, but none had all the features of the poacher.I would definitely purchase it if I were you.

By far best Poacher pack Dakine has developed. Better storage, better reinforced in the top load area, more adjustable. Buy it.

I bought the Poacher Backpack, sized small. I've taken it out on several backcountry trips. It carried everything I needed for the day: shovel, probe, lunch and snacks, thermos, extra layers, first aid kit, field notebook, map, spare batteries, headlamp and all the other small odds and ends. Very comfortable, well balanced, I like where the hip belt sat. It's a bit large if you're just going to be hiking out of bounds from the resort, but for a full day bc adventure, I loved it

fairly big pack, probly wouldn't use it at a resort unless going OB. Plenty of room to go all day or light overnight. hikes great, good support, skis carry verry well diagonally with a big loop that accomadates fat skis. only cons: the hydration system covers up the the back access panel so you can't get to your gear easily if the bladder is full. LOTS of straps, if you don't snowboard you can cut extras off or short.

This bag was amazing. As soon as I opened the box I fell in love with it, which is why it was so hard for me to send it back. It was too big for what I needed it for, but if I ever need an alpine pack like that, I'm definately going to buy the poacher again.

I have been looking for a good skiing pack for a long time and the Poacher is it! I was using a Heli Pro before but it was just too small for everything (lunch, hydration, goggles, skins, jacket, first-aid kit and avy tools). The Poacher fits my frame well (6ft tall) and can hold everything I need for a long tour. It rides great on the downhills and doesn't move about. Internal access from the back works great. The only downside and it is a minor complaint, is that a camelbak with the insulated tube is a tight fit into the zippered shoulder strap. I just leave mine in all the time so care must be taken when filling the hydration system. This is the last day pack I will buy.

I've used this pack about a dozen times for backcournty day trips this year. It came highly recommended to me and I can see why. Plenty of room for all my gear, very comfortable, nice accesibility with the zip out back section, and great comfort both up and down the hill. Only one complaint is that you have to take the bite valve off the camelback if you want to remove it from the Poacher.

My girlfriend is jealous b/c I say I now have another love in my life. From the secret bladder holder to the insulated shoulder strap to the great zipper to easily access heavy items up against your back. Handy compartments everywhere for the daytripper. Thanks DAKINE.

This is one of the best skiing backpacks I have ever owned. It holds all my gear including skis/snowboard and whatever tools I need for the backcountry. I would high recommend this to anyone who’s out all day and doesn’t like the lodge.

I just spent a week at Whistler/Blackcomb with the Poacher and enjoyed it. However, this is a BIG pack. It would be ideal if one is heading out for some serious backcountry action as it has room for a shovel, probe, and other avalance gear PLUS extra goggles, gloves, sweatshirt, lunch, water, etc. But for someone like myself who spends the majority of their time riding the lifts, well, I could have gotten by with a little less room. On the plus side it was very comfortable (I hardly knew I had it on). The harness and strap systems worked out great. I was even able to use it as a carry-on by taking out the aluminum stays and cranking on the straps. Didn't make use of the built in hydration though. Overall a good pack.

I purchased the poacher with a 4 day trip into the Kalalau valley on the north shore of Kauai in mind as well as a season full of backcountry powder. I carried 30 lbs over 22 miles of up and down no problem. The poacher handled it. I'm looking forward to a season of skiing starting in January when I leave Hawaii. Only the best reviews for my pack. Loved all the pockets to stash small stuff and the rear entry. Also loved how the straps suck down tight so not to get caught on the airport conveyor belts. Great pack.