Black Diamond Covert Winter Pack - 1343-1953cu in

Im very particular about my backcountry skiing packs as they have such a big impact on a day of skiing. If they dont fit, have straps in the wrong place, or have features that dont work, you end up dealing with it multiple times per day which adds up to an annoying experience.

But not so with the BD Covert pack. I switched to it this season (from a Switchback pack and before that an Attack Pack) and have been very happy with it for days tours. I got the smallest size (22 liters) as I dont carry much on day tours, and with a small pack, you dont really have the option! It fits a good size shovel blade (G3 AviTech) and has a nice selection of holders for your shovel handle and probe. It also allows many ski carrying options, including my favorite, strapping them to the side.

The Covert comes with all sorts of extra straps which can easily be removed by unclipping them, which I do as I like a nice clean profile for skiing through trees or just keeping the dingle-factor at bay. I tried the AvaLung version of this pack a few years ago and didnt like it as the AvaLung mechanism took up too much room in the small sized pack, which meant I had to upsize to the larger pack to carry the same amount of stuff, which meant the pack was no longer as light and trim. Your mileage may vary.

On the negative side, once you put a shovel blade in the back pocket, it compresses the inside goggle pocket to the point where it is almost uselessly hard to get into, so I carry nothing in there. The hydration tube holder doesnt really keep water from freezing, so it is a bit of a moot feature.

But overall, this is my favorite backpack for day tours around the Wasatch.

This is a great choice for a day pack that fits nicely and organizes gear so it is easy to grab in a pinch and intuitive also.
There are not too many extra additions to this pack that I have not found useful in some way. I did find that the straps for carrying the skis diagonally on the back of the pack could be bigger. Skis are getting awesomely fat these days.
My only complaint is that the pack alone seems quite heavy.

Being a split boarder, I took my time when searching for a good pack. I needed something that could carry my board when its together, and carry my "skis" when it's split. This pack has many options for carrying your planks. BD definitely thought a few things out. Like the two main straps/clips. They can be used "a-frame" and standard vertical snowboard carry style; both of which I have used. The vertical snowboard carry isn't the best, and it leaves strapping poles to the outside of the pack difficult/impossible. Speaking of strapping poles to it, there are a few different options for that too when its time to descend.
I opted for the smaller size (I wanted a day pack) and couldn't be happier. The front compartment holds my shovel and probe with much room to spare, and the main compartment stores my skins, an extra layer, goggles, and snacks just fine, without over-stuffing.
If you are a splitter, its a great pack. Even if the vertical board carry isn't as awesome as some snowboard specific packs.

I love sking in the backcountry where I am on the ski patrol. This area is very avalanche prone and all patrollers carry tranceivers, probes and shovels at all times. This pack makes getting to the avi gear super simple and fast. I also like the full zip insulated pack strap for routing the hydration tube, but wish that the end was a bit larger to hold higher end hydration mouthpieces.

This pack is my patrol pack containing my aid supplies, water, avi gear, food and seat harness/carabiner gear for extraction work. It will just carry all that stuff with careful packing, but I did not want a larger pack, this is big enough.

The interior storage for avi gear keeps the shovel and probe from snagging on tree branches when in tight situations.

All-in-all, this is a great back for working or recreational backcountry day trips.

The pack you guys recommended was right on the money.Fit all my extra clothes food shovel goggles and gloves.This pack is a real nice WELL MADE pack.I can put my skis on two different ways X or strait up& down.I liked the way it fit also -I've had one other pack and gave up using it because of the fit. hydration pouch will fit any size that I have seen or have.For your out for the day this is my recommendation. Thank you for all your help

I have the 32L version and I find it to be perfect for a day in the backcountry. It carries my safety gear, skins, lunch, puffy, and helmet (if I'm feeling ambitious) all on the inside.
Pros:
- The front pocket fits the safety gear (shovel, probe) as advertised, and not only the small BD shovels like the BD Outlaw pack.
- The larger main compartment has a small zipper pocket at the top, which fits small tools or goggles.
- the large main compartment zips open almost to the bottom of the pack, making the bottom easily accessible.
- comes in small sizes (I'm 5'4 and the pack fits me well)
- great ski carry system (A-frame is my favorite)
- reinforced gear loops for ice axe, etc.
- clip loops at the front for variably sized objects or puffy jackets.
- side straps to compress the profile when the pack isn't full.
- though it doesn't come with a helmet pouch, I've strapped my helmet onto the outside using the two diagonal straps. It also fits inside the large pack with shovel and all.
Cons:
- needs another small pocket on the outside for small objects not to get lots on the bottom
- waist straps aren't as wide as they can be (e.g. with a multi-day pack)

I use this as my everyday pack. It fits my 15" MacBook Pro perfect (with a sleeve, too), carries books, shirts, whatever you need.

The pouch for a hydration pack is great when heading out for a day hike.

Lightweight pack, comfortable, flexible!

I love this pack. It is comfortable, simple and doesnt have all kinds of extra crap that I dont need. For any kind of BC ski trip or even when I'm in the slack country I grab this pack.

There are very few touring packs that make the grade but this one comes close. The design is excellent and it carries it's load perfectly and the construction is bomber. This is the first pack with a diagonal ski carry option that actually works except...

The only flaw this pack has is it's biggest demise. NONE of the straps are long enough! Especially the strap(s) that secures the diagonal ski! The rest of the straps are just barley useable with golves on in cold winter conditions, I could not imagine even attempting to use the strap features while on technical terrain in conditions that do not warrent removing your gloves. This is a completely in-excusable design flaw. I don't know what the reason is for this except for saving weight but that ideology of saving grams over functionality removes this pack as a contender for anything but powder touring below timberline. For a hardcore performing mountaineering pack I highly reccommend the BCA Stash Alps 40 (or 55), straps are long enough for gloved hands and it has an excellent webbing system to boot.

this is my upgrade over a dakine heli pro. the carry system is amazing and the y suspension sits on your waist quite nicely. it's got all the room i need for a day tour, and maybe an overnight hut if i'm going really light.

This bag rocks, it is comfortable and strong without pressure points on shoulders or hips. I have had a problem with the front zipper slipping open but only when zipping under pressure, never while actually in use. Perfect for a long day of school or a nice long day skinning up and then skiing down your favorite peak.

What's nice is it fits your skis very well (lots of options). Typically the skis in my other packs tend to be loose or slide around. This pack is much more solid. I use it for touring, works well. Enjoy!

I've got the avalung version of this pack, 32L size. Just enough room for everything you need for day tours. I carry avy gear, a helmet, camera, goggles, spare mittens, water, and a softshell in mine. If it's cold, I'll stick a down vest in there too.

The avalung gives added piece of mind, though I hope to never need it. I like the separate pocket for shovel and probe. Nice to keep that stuff separated from things you get all the time. I carry my helmet with me and don't like it dangling off the back, so having room inside is a plus.

Carries skis well, though you can tell it's a light pack not designed for large loads when they're on there. The rest of the time, fit is comfortable. When I first got it, I wanted more small pockets to keep things organized, but after using it, I haven't missed them.

Overall, great pack. And when you can get it on tramdock, it's that much better.

The Covert pack was perfect for a hike up to Tuckermans with full ski gear. While others on my group had much larger Winnebago-sized packs ontheir backs, my Covert did the job without the added load and held the skis in place just fine. I was able to carry my shell, light fleece, extra hat, socks and gloves and some food and water with no problem. And I put my boots on my skis before strapping them onto me pack. Straps for skis were simple to use and very secure and shoulder straps were perfectly padded and stayed in place. It also a very good pack for skiing...low profile, good balance and great fit. Overall, a perfect day trip pack for what I needed.

Only critique of the pack was the lack of side pockets or separate zippered chambers for camera, keys, phone, wallet, etc. With only 2 large chambers for gear, it was hard to get to things as they tended to slip to the bottom or get lost in the stack. BD should consider adding a couple secure small side pockets. The other issue I encountered was that when the trail became tight in spots, having the skis strapped to the pack vertically wasn't great as they would get caught on low trees or branches. I found myself twisting to avoid getting hung up.

Overall, a great bag...solid construction and terrific utility for what I needed.

I just got started backcountry skiing this spring, and with the sierra snowpack its an awesome time to get out there. I purchased this pack and have skied one day resort with it, and two days backcountry so far. It is awesome!! Like one other review said, it definitely seems large at first ( Im 6'1" and got the lrg 32L pack) But once its on your back it doesn't hold you back at all. I have not yet tried the diagonal carry, but seeing how well the horizontal carry worked i would imagine it works just as well. The 32L is perfect for backcountry use and can hold perfectly all your avy gear, first aid, food, and extra layers. If you are just looking for a inbounds use pack, I would go with the 22L. All in all this is the most comfortable and useful pack I've used. (And if you don't want to be cheap like me, go with the AVALUNG built into it, Which makes for an even higher tech great pack)

I can't add much to what has already been said. I have the 32L medium, and it fits me perfectly (6'1" with long legs and short torso). I can fit everything inside it that I need for a day trip, except for a helmet (I have fit the helmet in before, but I have to leave something out like a poofy coat or lunch). I can even fit my BD Deploy 7 shovel in it easily. What I like best is that it has everything you need to be organized and access things easily, but not too many pockets. I also like that the main compartment zips almost all the way down so you can easily pack it and get to stuff in the bottom.

The only two things I would ask for is to make the hip belt more substantial so it transfers more load to the hips and off the shoulders, and add one or two pockets on the belt so I can get to snacks, etc without taking the pack off. (I know, I could carry that in my jacket pockets, but when I'm skinning up I'm usually stripped down to my pocket-less base layer).

This is definitely the best outdoor pack I have ever owned. I bought the 32L and am amazed by the quantity of things it can hold. It hasn't snowed thus far this year, but I have tried out all the ski arrangements and so far like the AFrame the best. Very comfortable as a daypack (I use it at school) and high quality. Water-shedding materials act so well it could be GoreTex. Ships wicked fast as well; I had the 7-14 day shipping and somehow it got to my porch at 1:00 the next day.

i got the 1953 cu. in. pack and am very pleased with it...simple and well organized avalanche gear pocket, very adjustable and comfortable over winter clothing of various sizes. enough room to store extra clothes, small gear and food. Bladder pouch and sleeve work as intended with my camelback brand bladder - and it holds skies nicely...

I bought the 32L version and it fits great while holding lots of stuff. I took it out yesterday for my avalanche level 1 class and it organized all the avy gear great. When we were doing mock searches I was the first one with my probe or shovel out and ready to go.
I also carried some extra layers and food in the inside pocket and had tons of room to spare. This would easily make a great bag for a two or three night trip.
The ski carry is solid and I like the two different options. It fits great, make sure you use the measuring chart to get the right size. There and no real pressure points and it feels really natural and doesn't get in the way while skiing.
Overall a this is a great pack for skiing.

this pack is awsome.

I have been very impressed with this pack so far. At first it seemed a little large (visually), though after touring with it for the first 3 weeks this season, I have really started to appreciate it. The pack has a well designed outside zippered pocket that fits probe, shovel and probe, and the main compartment has enough room for belay jacket, 48 oz. water bottle, emergency supplies, extra layers etc., without having too much extra space. It rides very well while skiing, and carries skis well (have only tried diagonal carrying method, though assume A-frame works just as well). This is a great pack for those who already own Avalungs, though I might even purchase this pack with the lung for ease of use (no more adjusting the lung over/under layers when skinning/skiing transition). Great pack!