Great pack, but a bit small

By caitlin.m.2063606 Ranked #728 - Winter Packs April 6, 2009

I bought this pack after borrowing a friend's for a day-long backcountry ski tour. The pockets are really well designed and the pack is very comfortable. I love the light green fabric on the inside, which makes it very easy to find things without digging around. I also like that it's not a silo - the zipper runs all the way around so it's easy to find what you need. While the hip belt is pretty basic, it is comfortable and does what it needs to. The shoulder straps are also very comfortable. I frequently wear this when I am telemarking at a resort but want to carry equipment for a quick skin up a nearby mountain. It holds the basics (shovel, probe, skins, water, snacks and a few small things like sunscreen and an extra layer) but that's it. If it's a hot day and you want to store the extra layers you wore, you'll have to strap them to the outside. I find this pack very comfortable to ski with, and I ski expert terrain almost exclusively. I have also used it for longer ski tours and it has likewise served me well. I also found it slightly awkward to strap skis to the outside for boot packing it up a mountain. The skis were a bit unsteady and swayed. Possibly I just haven't found the right system yet. My only complaint is that I wish it was slightly bigger. It's always nice to have the option to cinch down extra, unused space than not to have the option at all. I'm sure i"ll use the pack for day hiking trips in the summer too. (And my MacBook pro fits perfectly inside the shovel pocket, as does a hydration system.) Overall, I'm happy with this pack but not raving about it.

View Details: Arc'teryx Silo 18 Backpack - 1098cu in

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