Gear Review
Black Diamond Covert Avalung Winter Pack - 1343-1953cu in
Great concept, some issues
By 19Lives
Ranked #143 - Winter Packs
November 17, 2009
This pack just arrived today, long story short: I love the concept but it doesn't quite work for me. This was intended to replace a similarly sized Dynafit pack with diagonal carry.
Pros: Avalung, high quality build, lots of features, well organized pockets, seems comfortable, diagonal ski carry is my personal favorite method, securely carries any width ski (I tested with Megawatts and RT-86s), rides low on the shoulders so it doesn't interfere with head range of motion while wearing a helmet. Basically all the strengths of my old pack + avalung.
And now for the critique:
1. The angle on the diagonal ski carry vs. vertical is too large (see photo), so much so that I'd hate to hike through trees while carrying my skis, or boot-packing anything that requires good balance. Even an A-frame carry has a narrower profile, and the whole point of diagonal (imho) is to just have one long thing waving around instead of two, or three in my case ;) but I digress.
2. The skis ride very high while attached to the pack, which makes problem 1 worse and makes you feel lopsided. My bindings are mounted in standard, boot-center position. If you mount your bindings ski-center then this isn't a problem. You can lower them by not cinching up the attachment but then the skis flop around.
3. Sizing... what's with the sizing on all BD packs now? They used to fit me perfectly. I'm 6' 170lbs, climber build, with a 19ish inch torso, why is the M/L way too tall for me? The small is too short as well, but a better fit than the M/L. The S&M thing is funny, but I humbly suggest to BD that the sizes be re-labeled S and L and that you should make a medium size or make your packs adjustable in terms of torso length or both.
In summary, if the carry issues aren't important to you and you fit the narrow torso range of the two sizes, this could really be an awesome pack for you. If you are looking for diagonal ski carry for ski mountaineering or serious backcountry, take a look at Dynafit's packs. If BD changes the carry angle and makes a size M, I'll buy two of them.
View Details: Black Diamond Covert Avalung Winter Pack - 1343-1953cu in
Helpful Votes: 6 Yes
Tech Specs:
- Material:
- nylon
- Volume:
- (small/medium) 28 L, (medium/large) 30
- Waist-Belt:
- yes
- Hydration Compatible:
- yes
- Access Types:
- top
- Ski Carry:
- yes, vertical and diagonal
- Snowboard Carry:
- no
- Ice Axe Loops:
- 1
- Shovel Pocket:
- yes
- Weight:
- (small/medium) 1530 g, (medium/large) 1570 g
- Recommended Use:
- backcountry skiing
- Manufacturer Warranty:
- 1 year
Change me.
7 Comments Last Reply: March 6, 2012 By: Brock Lawbster
Just a note on ski carrying with this pack... My factory mount 189 Pontoons do fit through the carry loop, but as this review states, they carry too high and even with every strap on the pack buckled down tight they still flop a bit. My AT skis are mounted way far back, and as such are also floppy as hell.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes
I agree. The straps for the diagonal carry system are to close together which allows the skis to rotate way too far. The shovel pocket is a little small. My small BD Deploy shove won't fit unless I break it down but that isn't how the Deploy was intended to be stored. Just a few small tweaks and it would be a great pack.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes
Agree, I found the diagonal carry dragged on one side of my back creating an uncomfortable twinge (read small area pain) on one side lower back. I carry 179 Line Prophet 115 with dukes (quite a heavy combo) but I found the A frame carry worked, was balanced and comfortable.
Helpful Votes: 1 Yes
i am having the same issues on the diagonal carry...I must be applying it wrong or something as this method just plain sucks....Angle is too low as he shows in the picture
Helpful Votes: 1 Yes
Dude I just got this pack, and the ski carry system was great. maybe, the pack was just designed wrong.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes
what size waist is your ski, and how heavy?
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes
Good write up!
Helpful Votes: 2 Yes