Ortovox Haute Route Short 30L Backpack

This is a great backpack for day tours where you don't want your airbag pack, but don't need to bring a larger technical pack either. It's clean, simple, and has all of the features you need- without extra fluff.

A quick note on fit: I'm 5'7/130 lbs and I wear the hip belt as tight as it can go. The bag is extremely comfortable for me, but I'm not sure how suitable it would be for small women.

I am impressed by how much actually fits inside. The safety pocket is plenty large enough for a 3m probe, large shovel, and crampons. It's also the most obvious zipper on the backpack to pull- a feature I wish my partners' bags had, too.

It is worth mentioning that the only way to access the main compartment is from the back panel, which felt weird at first. Ortovox makes this easily manageable with top and front pockets that accommodate everything you might need to access quickly such as goggles, sunglasses, snacks, and a wind layer.

The stowable rope carry strap, diagonal ski carry, and mesh helmet holder are really well-designed features. The loop for the diagonal ski carry is adjustable, so you don't have to worry about whether or not your pow slayers are going to fit. The bag also comes with extra buckle straps, which you can add to any of the five loops on the front panel as lashing points for skis, crampons, etc.

The fabric seems durable, but in a few long climbs with my skis diagonally mounted I have torn a small hole in the front panel. I am also skeptical of how the front-panel carry loops will hold up over time.

Overall, this is a well built and comfortable backpack for mid-winter day tours or light glacier skiing. It is, however, limited in scope by it's size and simple suspension system. I'm excited to bring it out on hut trips and day tours, but I'll probably leave it behind on springtime mountaineering objectives.

I have been blown away by this pack from the minute I saw it. I was looking for a pack that would carry my skis diagonally or on the side (A-Frame). This pack does both incredibly well.

It is made of the highest quality materials, unbelievably comfortable and have all (almost all) of the bells and whistles you need. More on that later.

The outside pocket carries your shovel and probe. The large compartment is accessed from the back of the pack, and is large enough to carry essencials (not too big...not too small). The middle zipper area is large enough for a pair of gloves, hat, whatever you may need at a moments notice. (NOTE: I do wish this packet with fleece lined to protect my goggles).

The options to carry other items on the outside of the pack is where this backpack shines. To carry your skis diagonally, there are two loops tucked inside zipper compartment, and to strap your helmet to your pack, you open a zipper at the bottom of the pack and pull out the mesh sling. Perfect size for strapping on your helmet.

I love this pack, but almost don't want to let everyone know how great it is, because then everyone will have one.

Best piece of gear I have bought in a long time, and the best ski pack I have ever used. So good...now my wife wants the Haute route 30s. Thanks Ortovox!