The North Face Powder Guide Vest - Men's - 2011 BCS

This vest works great for inbounds/ slackcountry missions. got pockets for whatever you need, and stashed your avi tools in the back. pretty slick system. It does act like an extra layer kind of, definitely keeps in some heat. I wear a large jacket and xl vest, but a large vest would work as well.

I was very excited about this product, but it's not perfect.

The shovel storage seems odd-shaped. It's too big for a small BD shovel, and too small for a larger BCA shovel blade. I'm sure there's a shovel out there that fits "perfect", who knows.

The Shovel handle and probe pockets - if your shovel doesn't have a loop handle, then there is no way to secure it. You can tighten it down as much as you want, but it will fall out under certain circumstances. For some reason, one of the slots has a piece of material going over the end (like many backcountry packs), but the other one doesn't. You have to choose between your probe and shovel handle concerning which one you can deal with losing.

The large is pretty large, but still fits. I wear L jackets. If you want something lower profile, go down a size.

Otherwise, quality and material seem good and durable. It looks pretty rad, but the function is only average.

As a ski patroller and mountain guide I spend a majority of the year on snow. Skiing with heavy packs has always been a challenge, and it seemed impossible to arrange gear in a balanced fashion. It also seemed that once I did get things ordered, I would inevitably need something at the bottom of the backpack. With the Powder Guide Vest, every item is easily accessible and organized. The shovel blade, handle, and avalanche probe fit perfectly on your back, making for a comfortable ride. There is also a plethora of pockets for additional items. I can stow my rescue rope, harness, and carabiners right behind the shovel. The front torso pockets have ample room for medical gear, skins, headlamp, and even snacks. Small pockets on the upper chest and back offer even more storage space for things like cameras and sunglasses. I also like the fact that the vest serves as an extra layer, holding in all that valuable core heat. Simple carry straps across the back secure additional loads, and cinch straps on either side keep the whole package nice and tight. I feel like a snow ninja every time I put the vest on. A must have for day tours and yo-yo laps outside the resort. If you do decide to go for a multiday, a light pack fits rather comfortably over the whole apparatus. In all, this vest offers new solutions to old problems, and looks very professional at the same time. We at Patagoniaskitours.com use this vest in all of our backcountry tours throughout South America and have been extremely impressed with its functionality.

Sean Zimmerman-Wall: Snowbird Ski Patroller & Asst. Guide for Patagoniaskitours.com

Man, im a communications specialist in MD.. i bought this vest to carry my tester, cell phone, tone generator,and every other misc material i use for work. its an awesome looking vest, and definitely fits my style for the rugged east coast blizzard conditions, also i can mix and customize my north face outfits. plus im the only guy out of the crew with one! ha ha