Nick from United States, CA Public Profile

Just got the pack and am pretty impressed. The Pros are big, but so is the Con:

Pros:
As a backpack, it's much more functional than anything else out there. I appreciate the top-loader alpine pack style design; roll-top closure, removable brain, side compression straps, etc. Accommodates varying loads super well, and carries and skis great with only 25L of day gear. But then you get to overnight or bring the whole technical kit, or both, and still have your airbag! It's the first airbag pack I've seen that I'd happily use the pack if it weren't an airbag. Everything you need, nothing you don't. A-frame (warning: blocks airbag) or diagonal ski carry, ice-axe holder. Decent fabric material, seems durable enough. Has a weird pocket at the bottom for, I'm assuming, skins or crampons. Time will tell it that's useful.

Airbag system seems simple, solid, reliable. A big spring remains cocked all the time. The trigger releases it, then sharp little rods puncture the gas cartridges. That's it for moving parts. A vent on the side allows compressed gas rushing into the airbag to draw outside air in along with it. This is known as a 'venturi', and was a smart idea because you're using a lot of outside air (that you didn't have to carry around in a mini scuba tank like BCA or Mammut) to fill the airbag.

Light weight. From what I could tell, it's the lightest 40ish liter airbag pack out there by far.

Cons:
Gas cartridges. Scott's OEM cartridges (1 CO2, 1 argon) are currently $80 a set t