Finally got to use my Dakine Heli Pack Pro ... One word: awesome! Feels like it isn't even on your back with its perfect support. The accessories pocket is awesome and allows for those little things you need to carry. The hiking with the board on my back was easy with the multiple carry options. Well done, Dakine!

Even though I haven’t been had the chance to use this pack yet on a hiking or skiing trip (still waiting on the white stuff) I love the pack. It has enough space for anything I need on a day trip. It fits my skis perfectly, and I don’t hit my head on them when they’re strapped in. All of the straps are WAY too long, they fit easily 2 of me, but if you tie them off, you’re fine.

This backpack serves as my daypack in the backcountry and to the office. It holds and protects my laptop and other office gear, not to mention all the backcountry gear. Great cross-interface for my skis, holds my shovel and probe, along with food. Another great feature is the insulated strap to prevent my CamelBak water from freezing, excellent design!

I really ended up liking this pack. dakine's features are great, and the pack is a great size fit. O originally wanted the vertex, but it was too big. The larger size of the vertex would have been nice but oh well. Performs great, and I don't even know that it is on.

The pack is very well made and designed... perhaps overdesigned. My issue is that there are so many straps and points of adjustment that the pack is to my mind a little cumbersome for a small day pack.
All the straps are left long. Dakine supplies thin elastic bands to stow the excess length. You will have to shorten these straps yourself and and come up with a more substantial way of stowing the excess or expect to have a bunch of untidy straps flapping around as you ski.

I bought this backpack 2 months ago and I have to say it is just awesome and perfect for a long ski day. The hydration system is just ingenious! The small hip packet is very good for the lift ticket, lip-balm, small camera, etc. The protection for your back works just great - last weekend I fell on my back but the pad helped me quite a lot.
I got the large version, 1200cu in, in black and there is plenty of room for a second layer, other gear, and lunch. Even my helmet fits in there.
It is a very comfortable through its possibilities in adjustments.
The strips around your hip and chest provide perfect hold!
I just can recommend this backpack to everybody who needs a comfortable, high-quality daypack with many practical features.
Finally: An awesome backpack!!

Got this pack on the recommendation of a few people. Got the large size. Originally was looking at the Pro 2 or the Poacher, but this pack served up all of my needs for day skiing and in and out of bounds. Perfect spots for everything and enough space for an extra layer, a bunch of lunches, extra goggles, sunglasses, lip balm, camera, etc.

Haven't had a chance to use the snowboard straps... I would say if you were a hardcore snowboarder I would go with the Pro 2 or something with a more dedicated vertical carry system. But so far it rocks... and also works well as a daypack.

This pack is great, quite a bit of storage in a small profile. I bring it wherever I go snowmobiling/skiing anywhere and everywhere! I highly recommend it, and dakine's quality is superb.

I've been everywhere with this pack, skiing, trekking, touring and it's been the best investment of all my outdoor equipment...very comfortable. Once you have adjusted the fit for yourself and got most of the weight on your hips it’s a dream...the little independent pocket on the waist strap is just the right size for a small camera. Once you have the pack on and have setup your hydration system there's no reason to take it off unless you need food! The Build is great with good hardwearing zips and tough material that doesn’t seem to snag or tear.

Hate to say it, but I'll never by another DAKINE product again. The Heli Pro backpack that I bought had a manufacturing defect where the zipper was not fully sewn into the out pocket shell. Fortunately my leatherman tool pointed out this flaw as it was about to fall out of the HOLE between the zipper/shell seams. Thank goodness I was packing for my ski trip. I tried to contact DAKINE to as them for a refund for the return postage expense. I never heard back from them. The same order had a defective DAKINE waffle beanie. Evidently poor workmanship is DAKINE's trademark. The top of the hat was not bound properly so it too had a gaping HOLE. THANK GOODNESS for this site. They refunded the total cost for both DEFECTIVE DAKINE products and the return postage expense I incurred.

I got the camo Heli Pro from DAKINE and I love it! It’s very light, durable, and works well for all situations!

Everything about the Heli Pro is perfect for an easy day at the resort or for deep powdered backcountry. It has enough room without being too bulky. The ONLY thing wrong with this pack is excessive amounts of straps--they are too long and get even longer when you tighten them.

In answer to the above review...if they're so long, why not just cut them off? Or Duct tape them?

I use the pack to haul around my college text books. It does a great job on campus and on the mountain. No complaints; this pack is versatile and comfy.

This pack is great!!! I've only used it for school so far and it works really well. I'm getting a season pass to Mt. Hood Meadows this year and will use the pack for snowboarding.
Awesome buy.

I just bought this bag. I tried to over-stress the stitches and zippers, and the bag is borderline indestructible. The shoulder straps are attached with zodiak like rubber with over-reinforced seems. The shoulder straps and belt fit perfectly. I think I'm going to field test it by shoving a 45lb weight in it and go for a run. If no tears occur, as I hope, this bag will prove itself the ultimate daypack.

The bag has been great, had it about a month. The suspension feels good and the large bag is a good fit for me (6'2"). Horizontal and vertical snowboard carry are a plus for day trips. I've also been using the bag for school and the different pockets set up well for organizing.

I'm on my second HeliPro, only because the first got stolen. My university ski club unofficially calls itself the HeliPro Mafia, since about 70% of us own the things. Day trips, skiing, hiking, biking, international flights, lugging books around uni, this pack does it all. If you're looking to reduce the annoying hanging straps, the waistband can tuck neatly through the padded area at the base, then do up the clip, tighten & tuck the loose ends away. And I haven't seen a kea (NZ mountain parrot - think goat with wings) eat one yet, that's saying a lot about the durability.

Well, I have to confess that I haven't gone heli-skiing, and it being the summer I haven't even taken this pack up on the hill yet. But I have been wearing it around to town to break it in and for hiking/biking. It's very comfortable, and it looks good too. I tested out the diagonal ski carry, and was very impressed and already put hydration as well. One complaint; there are almost too many straps, and some are too long. Once the season begins, I'll probably cut a few, and have some others shortened...but overall, I think this pack will bring me years of good use. Thanks again Dakine!

I bought this snowboard pack for my girlfriend in powder blue, and she just loves it! I would definitely recommend the Heli Pro. I actually I have the old version of this pack, I knew it was great, which was why I bought the new version in a girly color for my girlfriend. This pack is quality with a great guarantee, if it goes wrong just send it to DAKINE and they will send you a new one!

Ideal, great product, great quality...
-great buy

The DAKINE had too many straps and felt too confining. It is a good pack but it did not fit me. I am about 5'8".