Ski backpack for professionals and beginners: Five models in comparison

Holidays in the mountains
Backpacks for winter sports enthusiasts: Five ski backpacks in comparison

A little late, but now it’s here – winter 2023. Ski and snowboard fans, but also tourers, are in the starting blocks. And this time too they will travel with plenty of luggage and storm the slopes. Five ski backpacks for small and large winter sports enthusiasts in a compact comparison.

For many skiers, a backpack on the slopes is particularly annoying. And usually you don’t need this extra luggage. At least if you let the chairlift or drag lift pull you to the summit and then swing back down to the valley. Food and drink are available in the huts. Your smartphone, money and sunscreen fit in your jacket pocket.

A backpack is mandatory for everyone who walks through the mountains on foot over snow-covered snowfields and climbs to untouched peaks. They usually fend for themselves and expose themselves to dangers away from secured pistes that you should protect yourself from. But there is more than the classic daypacks and backpacks with probes and snow shovels. Not all ski backpacks are the same. We present five backpacks with different purposes.

The classic

Depending on how early you get out of bed on your well-deserved vacation, a day on the ski slopes can be as long as six hours. If you want to forego the (often not very cheap) stop off from time to time, you can get your provisions here Ski backpack from Evoc stow away. If it is not clear whether the day on the mountain will bring skiing or sunglasses weather, the glasses end up in a separate and easily accessible compartment in the upper part of the backpack. There is also a place in the 30 liter backpack for a pair of spare gloves, a warm hat, your smartphone and a hydration bladder.

And freeriders who make tracks in the snow away from the secured pistes should also get along well with this classic ski backpack. Instead of cradling the snowboard or skis under your arm, the sports equipment can be strapped to the ski backpack when ascending. This means your hands are free. A must, especially on steep terrain. For the free spirits and adventurers among winter sports enthusiasts, Evoc has also given this backpack a quickly accessible avalanche compartment including an emergency plan in the event that, at best, never occurs.

The shoe garage

This ski backpack is designed less for the slopes than for transporting bulky ski boots. The Baden-Württemberg ski pole specialist Leki promises space for a pair of alpine ski boots and other equipment such as gloves or ski goggles. The boots are parked in the main compartment of the backpack, which, according to the manufacturer, can be used for traveling with a packing volume of 60 liters. Small items can be stored in the zippered side compartments and the lid compartment. Real packing experts even include a helmet or winter boots. Practical: The Leki ski backpack “Skiboot Bag” works as a backpack and tote bag. The angular format also makes the Leki ski backpack a great piece of luggage for the trunk.

The slope airbag

What looks like a sombrero in the picture can save lives in an emergency. The Avalanche ski backpack from Wezde (sold by Decathlon) costs just under 400 euros. In the event of an avalanche, after being triggered manually, it turns into a 150 liter airbag within three seconds, which is intended to prevent you from being buried under the snow. The one needed for this CO2 cartridge However, it must be purchased separately. This airbag system for backpacks was developed by the Swiss company Alpride. The ski backpack, reinforced with neoprene on the outside, holds 30 liters and is completely tailored to ski tours in open terrain. This also includes an avalanche compartment with space for a shovel and a probe. The helmet, ski goggles and sunglasses as well as provisions and dry clothing can be stowed in the four other compartments. Snowboards, skis and poles have to stay outside. There are also practical seat belt aids for the trio.

The little one with the leash

Similar to cycling or swimming, children also have to learn and master skiing before they can be let off the leash. When skiing, even in the literal sense. In addition to the obligatory ski course, more and more parents are taking control of their winter holidays and trying to support their children on the lifts and while skiing down. A so-called ski or snowboard harness like this can be a useful helper folconroad ski backpack be. This is a backpack designed for children’s backs and equipped with two elastic straps. The idea: The little skiers slide ahead, while mom or dad follows a few meters away with the pull ropes in their hands. On the way to the chairlift or during breaks, your helmet and skis can be attached to the small backpack. On the piste itself, it also serves as a protective cushion if the mini piste robbers land on their backsides.

The sustainable one

When it comes to sustainability, winter sports are known to be at the bottom of the table. If there is a lack of natural snow (which is likely to become the rule rather than the exception in ski areas below 1000 meters in the coming years), hundreds of snow cannons in German ski areas also eat up millions of liters of water and use up a lot of valuable energy in the process. Because the artificially created snow cover thaws more slowly, the meadows also suffer. It is all the more important that skiers, snowboarders, sledders, tourers and snowshoe hikers address the issue of sustainability. For example with their equipment. It comes from the traditional outdoor brand Vaude “Green Core” ski backpack (for 80 euros instead of 199.95 euros). According to the company, the shoulder straps and hip straps are made from certified Terracare leather and QMilk felt. The back plate of the 22 liter daypack is made of recycled plastic. A secret pocket and some fastening straps on the outside make this medium-sized ski backpack particularly interesting for day trips in the mountains.

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