Jetforce BT 35L Avalanche Airbag Backpack
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Why We Like The PIEPS Jetforce BT 35L Avalanche Airbag Backpack
For multi-day tours and far-flung pow chases, we gear up with the Jetforce BT 35L Avalanche Airbag Backpack. Utilizing PIEPS' jet-fan tech, this electronic system pulls air from the atmosphere to fill its bag when triggered, giving us avalanche safety that's completely air-travel friendly and is now repositioned for a better carry. The low-temp battery delivers multiple deployments on a single charge and holds strong through 500 charges for a long life of backcountry sends. With compartments and attachment points for our avy gear, ice axe, skis, and helmet, plus a large main compartment, this pack gives everything its place and lets us bring some extra snacks too.
Details
- Light pack for long backcountry tours in mountains near and far
- Fan-powered airbag provides travel-friendly avalanche safety
- Height-adjustable deploy trigger can live in left or right shoulder
- Bag automatically deflates after 3 minutes to create air pocket
- Bluetooth functionality for wireless device management and updates
- Automatic self-diagnosis does full system check on each startup
- Stowable leg loop with quick-and-easy carabiner clip
- Modular base lets you zip on different booster sizes (sold separately)
- Item #PIE001G
- Material
- 210D Dynex, 200D polyethylene
- Volume
- 35L (2135cu in)
- Airbag
- Jetforce, integrated
- Deployment System
- high-speed fan
- Canister Included
- low-temperature (-22°F) lithium-ion battery included
- Shoulder Straps
- adjustable sternum strap (with whistle buckle)
- Waist Belt
- 30 - 55in
- Access
- top
- Pockets
- 1 avy compartment, 1 front accessory
- Ski Carry
- diagonal
- Snowboard Carry
- no
- Helmet Carry
- yes
- Ice Axe Carry
- yes
- Dimensions
- [torso] (small/medium) 20.9in, (medium/large) 22.4in
- Claimed Weight
- [small/medium] 6lb 8oz, [medium/large] 6lb 12oz
- Activity
- backcountry skiing
- Manufacturer Warranty
- 2 year
Reviews
Q&A
Overall Rating
2.5 based on 2 ratings
Review Summary
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Selecting an option will reload the available reviews on the pageMarch 31, 2020
Great design, poor execution
I bought this pack at the beginning of the season. I've toured with it about 10 times in the backcountry. The 35L is a great size for a long day. Holds my equipment, spare layers, food/water, etc.. Bag is durable. I've tested the airbag deployment several times, no issues. The diagonal carry probably won't work for skis wider than 105s or a split board. The issue? Zippers! The zipper that holds the airbag CONSTANTLY comes undone. Every single time in the field, I've had to completely unzip and then re-zip the compartment. The little plastic tab doesn't keep it closed at all. Forget about sitting on your pack. Catch an edge and eat it? You're going to have to fix the zipper or your airbag is going to be hanging out. This could probably be fixed by adding a thin velcro strip on the protective zipper flap. Would just have to be thin enough to rip away in case of deployment. The other zipper issue is for the main compartment. It was designed to be completely unzipped so you can switch out the different size bags. The problem is, it CONSTANTLY unzips completely when you open it up and dumps out all the contents. With the avy gear in the outside pocket, there is enough weight for the pack to open all the way. This has resulted in my stuff dumping in the snow several times. This could probably be fixed with side compression straps that connect from the base pack (not covering he air bag compartment) to the attached bag so that it won't unzip all the way from the weight of the avy tools. I consider this pack a no-go from a safety and convenience factor. I would NOT recommend this pack. Fix the two zipper issues and you've got the best avy pack in the market.
Originally reviewed on blackdiamondequipment.com
January 22, 2020
Not as awkward as I thought
I've done a few tours now, with ski and split board. Seems like the straps creep loose, have to tighten them frequently otherwise pack swings around too much especially in snowboard stance. Helmet holder is weak, even pulling shock cord tight its not secure when getting off/on a chairlift or hitting small branches etc. Should have added holder to buckle chin strap as backup. When carrying helmet, it also pulls zipper open to avalanche gear pocket. Speaking of that, there's a sleeve for shovel handle & probe but shovel blade won't fit in remaining slot. Also no good options for carrying poles when descending on snowboard. When you set pack on snow to transition or crash there's abundant entry opportunities for snow, moisture etc. to get in balloon compartment. Probably good idea to open & dry that area to avoid mold etc. The diagonal ski carry isn't very solid, haven't tried split board yet. I'm wondering if the 25L is more for skis and boards. Good luck trying to learn from a BD dealer. I've been to 3 shops in USA & Canada and seems education efforts for dealers is limited to nothing. Same with online video tutorial, just a few minutes of people unfamiliar with product guessing how it works. Best one was in Swedish with funny subtitles for attempts to translate. Still the actual technology is fabulous, battery, fan and controls, wonderful. Hopefully never have to find out otherwise.
Originally reviewed on blackdiamondequipment.com
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