JZ1
Active VIP Member
I've never owned a avy pack before and I'm looking for advice on buying one. Currently have my eye on a ABS Escape 30 for $400.
Try it on with all your gear on.
You want most of the survival gear (the gear you would need to spend a night in the bush) in the bag and not on the sled. If you are in an avalanche and the sled gets buried, where is the survival gear? It could be down in the snow a long way!
The bag size is a matter of opinion and what you can comfortably carry. A 30l bag is a big bag, although there are bigger bags out there. Most bags, with nothing in them weigh around 15+ pounds (the back pack and the deploying mechanism and the avi bag(s). I am down to 15/18 litres now and used to use a 30 litre bag.
ABS and Snowpulse are great quality. Like mentioned above, try them on and try to figure out what you will be carrying in it. That should give an idea on what size you would want.
Recently had a chance to try the AlpRide system. This was in a Scott manufactured pack. Really like the AlpRide system with disposable cartridges. Also tried a Mammut bag with the Snowpulse RAS system. Both were 22L size. AlpRide system was noticeably lighter and I actually liked the Scott designed pack a bit better. Both were of good quality.
There seems to be a real wave of new avy bag systems and pack manufacturers releasing avy bags. Being told that numerous pack manufacturers will be releasing avy bags this winter. Lots of choice coming!
I'd add that abs packs still have their release on the wrong shoulder (left side) making it awkward to pull in an emergency setting. Much easier to pull from right shoulder and still have throttle control