Table of contents
From the cold smoke of the Tetons to corn laps on volcanoes and everyday resort skiing in the Pacific Northwest, we’ve put in the hours testing the ski packs featured here. Not every pack makes the cut—the models in this guide represent our top picks, spanning everything from streamlined options for resort laps to fully featured designs built for big backcountry missions. As you compare models, you can use our unique interface to sort by key performance factors like comfort, organization, durability, and more. And for a deeper dive, be sure to check out our ski backpack anatomy breakdown and frequently asked questions.
Ski Backpack Superlatives
Ortovox Switchback 32 ($240)
Osprey Glade 12 ($125)
Raide LF 30L ($399)
Dakine Poacher RAS Vest ($270)
Mammut Nirvana 28 ($190)
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Headwall 55 ($449)
Our Ski Backpack Picks
The Switchback is one of the most well-rounded ski packs we’ve tested. It’s sized just right for run-of-the-mill single-day tours, but it has a feature set that can handle more vertical endeavors. There are a couple of design quirks, though, and some competitors cost less.
The Switchback is one of the most well-rounded ski packs we’ve tested. It’s sized just right for run-of-the-mill single-day tours, but it has a feature set that can handle more vertical endeavors. There are a couple of design quirks, though, and some competitors cost less.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Versatility
Durability
Weight
Sustainability
Weight
2 lb. 5 oz.
Capacities
32L (25L, 27L, 30L)
Avalanche tool pocket
Yes
Fabric(s)
420D Cordura, 100D nylon
Pros
Cons
The Switchback might be the ideal backpack for the majority of backcountry skiers and riders, folks who occupy the spacious middle section of the bell curve that lies between “only dips out of the resort gates for quick, lift-accessed laps” and “frequently brings two ice tools.” It’s too big for dedicated resort riding and might not have quite the capacity for mega days with heavy technical components, but for everything else, the Switchback is on the money. Our tester heaped praise on the stiff backpanel that kept objects from poking into her back and ably supported 30 pounds of gear. The Switchback doesn’t have an internal frame like the Osprey Soelden 32 or the Raide LF 30L, but the lack of one helps keep the pack’s weight down (it’s lighter than those models). The backpanel also provides structure on descents, which the Switchback handles better than the Black Diamond Cirque 35.
Organization is a highlight as well. The Ortovox Switchback features a diverse pocket layout, with a main compartment that houses a reservoir sleeve, a goggle pocket on top, a hipbelt pocket, a separate avalanche tool compartment, and a small side pocket that our tester deemed perfect for a water bottle or a pair of crampons. It also features a helmet holder, a rope attachment up top, a stretch pocket on the left shoulder strap that can fit a phone, and dual ice axe loops. However, the main compartment is only accessible through the backpanel (the Soelden also has this design), and our tester had some doubts about the size of the avy tool pocket. She was able to fit a two-meter probe and a medium-sized shovel into it, but worried that larger versions of those items might not fit. (We recommend testing compatibility with your own shovel and probe.)
As you might expect, the Switchback has diagonal and A-frame ski carry, as well as vertical snowboard carry. Uniquely among the packs we’ve tested so far, it also allows you to quickly stash your skis vertically along one side without removing the pack; along with a diagonal ski carry that you can also adjust without stopping, the Switchback makes shouldering the planks for a quick bootpack easier than ever. We’d watch those ski edges, though, as Ortovox designed the Switchback with sections of 100-denier polyester, one of the lightest materials we’ve seen in a ski pack (high wear areas do feature much burlier 420D Cordura). This construction shaves ounces, but may also lead to some aftermarket patches. If it were up to us, we’d try to keep the Switchback in fighting shape as long as possible, as it will be your faithful backcountry companion on low-angle pow days, steep couloir ascents, and everything in between. For more information, check out our review of the Switchback 30 S, a version of the pack designed for skiers with shorter torsos.
There’s more than meets the eye with this pack. The Glade 12 isn’t large, but its organization is dialed for resort skiing and it boasts an included hydration reservoir with an insulated hose. As long as you’re not venturing beyond the ropes, its only real drawback is a less-than-beefy ski carry system.
There’s more than meets the eye with this pack. The Glade 12 isn’t large, but its organization is dialed for resort skiing and it boasts an included hydration reservoir with an insulated hose. As long as you’re not venturing beyond the ropes, its only real drawback is a less-than-beefy ski carry system.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Versatility
Durability
Weight
Sustainability
Weight
1 lb. 13.6 oz.
Capacities
12L (5L, 20L)
Avalanche tool pocket
No
Fabric(s)
420D nylon
Pros
Cons
Out of all the ski backpacks we’ve tested, the Glade 12 is the minimalist resort model par excellence. Its clean lines belie a smartly designed feature set that has pretty much everything you want for a day spent riding lifts—and even a much-appreciated bonus, in the form of an included 2.5-liter Osprey Hydraulics LT reservoir with an insulated hose. That reservoir retails for $42, so it makes the Glade’s $125 price tag feel like even more of a win, especially when you consider that the Gregory Verte 12, this pack’s closest competitor, costs the same and doesn’t come with one. The Glade also has both ski and snowboard carry—the Verte only has the former—and so when you tally these packs’ attributes, it's pretty clear who the winner is.
In another coup for a small pack, the Osprey Glade 12 boasts well-rounded storage. The main compartment features a hydration sleeve, a spacious central zone for bulky gear, and a small zippered pouch for your keys and phone. Add in an external compartment for goggles, snacks, and the like, and you have a wearable locker for pretty much every single item you’ll require for inbounds fun. (Note: The Glade doesn’t have a dedicated avalanche tool pocket.) Our tester reported that the diagonal ski carry didn’t feel as stable as she’d like—this pack loses out slightly to the Verte in that respect—but that’s more or less expected with a model this small.
The Glade doesn’t suffer any dip in comfort, though. Our tester noted that the padding in the shoulder straps and backpanel, while minimal, is firm yet comfortable. The backpanel is also surprisingly stiff, and designers have placed a hard foam framesheet behind it to ensure that the pack—and your back—doesn’t buckle if you max out the Glade’s storage. And, even if you fill this Glade to the brim, it will hold fast to your body during every carve and jump turn. Our tester never experienced it bouncing or sliding when she zoomed downhill, and deemed it a perfect fit—figuratively and literally—for aggressive skiers. New for winter 2026, Osprey made the Glade even tougher, updating its 420-denier nylon to a carbonate-coated material that’s both more tear-resistant and lighter. Designers also beefed up the ski carry system, which was a weak point. This may be a small ski pack, but its performance is big-time. To learn more, check out our Glade 12 review.
Raide is relatively new to the scene, but it hasn’t wasted any time jumping to the front of the pack. The LF 30L leverages ultra-premium UHMPWE fabric, innovative storage solutions, and oodles of features into a fantastic package. If only the price weren’t as scary as a persistent weak layer.
Raide is relatively new to the scene, but it hasn’t wasted any time jumping to the front of the pack. The LF 30L leverages ultra-premium UHMPWE fabric, innovative storage solutions, and oodles of features into a fantastic package. If only the price weren’t as scary as a persistent weak layer.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Versatility
Durability
Weight
Sustainability
Weight
2 lb. 5.4 oz.
Capacities
30L (40L)
Avalanche tool pocket
Yes (side compartments for shovel and probe)
Fabric(s)
400D UHMWPE, 100D polyester/UHMWPE blend
Pros
Cons
If you haven’t heard of Raide, let us be the first to tell you: This company is worth watching, and the LF 30L is a fantastic ski backpack. One of its two standout features is an ingeniously designed avy tool storage system. Instead of housing your shovel and probe in one place, the probe gets its own slender pocket in the pack’s bottom right-hand corner. This makes it extremely accessible: You can merely reach back, unzip the pocket, and remove the probe, which is great for quick snow-depth checks and other observations. Similarly, you can access the shovel—located on the dorsal side but with a downwards left-hand-facing zipper—without fully removing the pack. Speed is often safety in the mountains, and with the LF 30L, you’ll be the quickest draw in the West.
Just as notably, the majority of the LF 30L’s fabric is 400-denier Challenge Ultra TX, the latest and greatest UHMWPE pack material. The material is extremely strong for its weight—much more so than nylon—as well as waterproof, and only two packs we’ve reviewed so far feature a variation of it (the other is the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Headwall 55, which uses Dyneema). It makes the Raide LF 30L super durable, yet not overly heavy, so you can confidently attach all your sharps to this pack and scrape through rocky, technical terrain without worrying too much. And that’s exactly the type of missions it’s designed for: The LF has attachment points for dual ice axes, a rope, and a semi-interior helmet carry that stays out of the way of your skis and snowboard if you throw them on your back for a booter. This pack will get as technical as your skill and imagination allow.
It also feels great when you fill it with gear. Raide designed the LF with an aluminum frame, which our tester said gave him confidence and a supportive feel. He also highlighted the carbon composite backpanel that added extra stiffness and kept his back isolated from pokey gear. And though the LF’s padding looks minimal, he found it to be exceedingly comfortable. This pack doesn’t really have a flaw—if we were to nitpick, its side straps could use some reinforcement—but we can’t end this review without talking about the price. Almost $400 is pretty out there for a medium-sized, non-airbag ski backpack. Yes, the LF is an almost laughably high-quality model, but if you only tour a few times a year—heck, even if you tour often but keep things low on the technical scale—there’s little reason to spend that type of money. If big lines are your bread and butter, though, you should buy this pack. For more, read our LF 30L review.
The Poacher RAS Vest might be a one-trick pony, but it’s got that one trick down cold. This is the perfect pack for lapping lift-accessed backcountry terrain out of the resort boundary, although it’s too heavy and doesn’t have enough storage for touring.
The Poacher RAS Vest might be a one-trick pony, but it’s got that one trick down cold. This is the perfect pack for lapping lift-accessed backcountry terrain out of the resort boundary, although it’s too heavy and doesn’t have enough storage for touring.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Versatility
Durability
Weight
Sustainability
Weight
3 lb. 5.4 oz.
Capacities
Not given
Avalanche tool pocket
Yes (sleeves within main compartment)
Fabric(s)
Nylon
Pros
Cons
Among the ski backpacks we’ve tested, the Poacher RAS Vest is a unique beast. In fact, calling it a ski pack may be selling it short. As its name suggests, the Poacher’s design resembles that of a vest much more than it does a traditional backpack. Its low-profile, body-wrapping design does a wonderful job of keeping its contents (more on those in a moment) tight to your torso when you’re riding a chairlift, carving corduroy, or—and this is the Poacher’s bread and butter—dipping out of the gates for a backcountry lap. Our tester noted that the Dakine Poacher RAS Vest never got in the way of anything he wanted to do on skis, nor did it come close to hindering his movements or affecting his center of gravity. This vest will go anywhere you can access by chairlift (or a snowcat or helicopter, if you’re one to splurge).
Dakine specifically designed the Poacher for brief, lift-accessed backcountry forays, and its storage options support that vision. The backpack-like main compartment, which is neatly integrated into the dorsal section of the vest, contains fabric sleeves that hold your shovel and probe. (Our tester noted that you should make sure not to pack this compartment with too many other items, as it could hinder access to those tools.) It’s also the place where you can put the optional Mammut Removable Airbag System ($475), also known as RAS. The system’s canister and airbag sit in a separate pouch, and our tester reported that while they were easy to remove, installing them takes time and precision. We recommend keeping the airbag in and enjoying the out-of-the-gates freedom the Poacher affords you for the entire season.
For uphill-oriented backcountry adventures, though, you should choose another ski pack. The Poacher is too heavy and warm to use in the skin track. What's more, it can’t hold enough food, gear, and water for a day-long tour, although the pockets on its front are perfect for storing enough snacks for the resort. It’s hard to cite the lack of versatility as a fault, as the Poacher excels at what it’s designed to do, which is promote comfort and safety for lift-accessed backcountry laps. Stick to that terrain, and you’ll be glad you bought it. Our tester has worn the Poacher as his daily driver in the resort for seven seasons and reported only minimal fraying on the bottom of the vest, near the diagonal ski carry system (it also has vertical snowboard carry). The Poacher proves the adage: If you can only do one thing, do it well. For more, check out our review of the Poacher RAS Vest.
The Nirvana 28 lands on the smaller side of the touring pack continuum. Although it has the organization you need for a day in the backcountry, we found that its support isn’t up to par. Its price is decent, but in most cases, we’d recommend another model.
The Nirvana 28 lands on the smaller side of the touring pack continuum. Although it has the organization you need for a day in the backcountry, we found that its support isn’t up to par. Its price is decent, but in most cases, we’d recommend another model.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Versatility
Durability
Weight
Sustainability
Weight
2 lb. 5.7 oz.
Capacities
28L (18L, 22L, 35L)
Avalanche tool pocket
Yes
Fabric(s)
Nylon-polyester blend
Pros
Cons
The Nirvana 28 is designed for single-day ski tours, but we found that it looks better on paper than it does on the snow. Ostensibly, this pack has everything you need for an average backcountry outing: Its organization keeps everything handy, including your avy tools in a large dorsal pocket that’s separate from the rest of the pack. Main compartment access is granted via a top zipper and by splaying open the backpanel, which is helpful when you don’t want to rummage through all your gear to find a water bottle but also don’t want to dump your pack’s contents out on the snow. Our tester also appreciated the two small zippered top pockets—one is lined with a soft material, for holding goggles and sunglasses—as well as the pack’s integrated helmet carry.
Unfortunately, she reported that the Mammut Nirvana lacks backbone. This backpack is built without a frame, framesheet, or a backpanel that’s stiff enough (although it offers plenty of padding). When our tester packed the Nirvana for standard tours in the Tetons, she found that it felt much heavier than its weight would suggest due to the lack of support, and that it sagged and felt top-heavy. It didn’t fare much better on descents, either, as its bulky build—the pack stuck out farther from her body than she would have liked—pushed her center of gravity into the back seat. That, and the fact that she was able to feel some gear pressing into her back through the backpanel, caused her to deem the Nirvana one of the least comfortable ski packs she’s worn. This is a rare miss from Mammut, which generally crafts high-quality gear.
There are some positive design qualities to the Nirvana if you still want to go this route. It allows you to place a hard-sided spine protector behind the backpanel to prevent spinal injuries, and its nylon-polyester fabric blend is quite thick, indicating good durability. If you pack it very lightly and don’t mind its silhouette, the Nirvana could be an adequate ski backpack for low-key uphill laps at your local resort or quick-hit backcountry missions close to the road. We wouldn’t recommend anything much more involved than that, though, and for better ski pack performance, you should check out the higher-rated models in this gear guide. For more, read our review of the Nirvana 28.
The high-capacity Headwall 55 is an able command center for everything from multi-day traverses to spring volcano descents. It’s not a great day-to-day touring pack, and its price is eye-watering, but the Dyneema construction is unimpeachable.
The high-capacity Headwall 55 is an able command center for everything from multi-day traverses to spring volcano descents. It’s not a great day-to-day touring pack, and its price is eye-watering, but the Dyneema construction is unimpeachable.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Versatility
Durability
Weight
Sustainability
Weight
2 lb. 9.7 oz.
Capacities
55L
Avalanche tool pocket
Yes
Fabric(s)
Dyneema
Pros
Cons
You might know Hyperlite Mountain Gear from their Dyneema hiking packs, which have achieved cult status in the ultralight and thru-hiker communities. We’re big fans of them, too, for the same reasons that our tester enjoyed using the Headwall 55: It’s spacious, supportive, and durable without feeling heavy or overbuilt, all thanks to Hyperlite’s minimalist design and use of premium Dyneema materials. Despite weighing just a couple of ounces more than some of the 32-liter packs we’ve reviewed, the Headwall had enough capacity for our tester to take it on a five-day ski traverse in Washington’s Olympic Mountains. He carried around 55 pounds on that trip and said that the pack’s two removable aluminum stays adequately distributed the weight, which makes the Headwall our top choice for winter camping and hut trips. Its Dyneema is also waterproof, which is a huge bonus if you’re caught in a storm with days to go between you and your car.
Despite its large size, though, the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Headwall 55 isn’t some ungainly beast. The stays also help keep things from getting too loosey goosey on descents, as does the ability to compress the pack’s roll top if you’re not using its full capacity. Our tester reported making steep jump turns in icy terrain with the pack fully loaded, and he was able to focus on his skiing the entire time—never something to take for granted, especially with the weights the Headwall is designed to handle. This pack also doesn’t feel overbuilt thanks to Dyneema’s fantastic strength-to-weight ratio, which grants superb durability without saddling the wearer with a heavy, bulky load. Our tester bashed through branch-choked terrain in search of spring corn and said that the Headwall’s main fabric hasn’t been breached at all. (A side webbing strap suffered a small rip, but that’s it.)
You do give up some creature comforts in the name of weight savings. The Headwall’s back padding is thin—especially compared to how burly the rest of the pack is—and you’ll have to pack your gear carefully to prevent soreness. There’s also no access to the main compartment besides the roll top, which our tester found frustrating when he had to rummage through the pack when it was fully loaded. He also mentioned the lack of external pockets—another Hyperlite design feature—that streamlines the Headwall but also forces you to think about how you store your gear (two large hipbelt pockets are nice for holding snacks, at least, and the pack does have a separate avy tool compartment). And don’t let the bright white Dyneema fabric obscure this pack’s price: The Headwall is also by far the most expensive pack we’ve tested. The quality is certainly there, but first consider whether you need all that space. To learn more, check out our Headwall 55 review.
The Soelden (women’s Sopris) has held a treasured place in the minds—and gear closets—of backcountry enthusiasts for years. It’s a great fit (both figuratively and literally) for the majority of skiers and riders, and it just received a welcome update. Some small design drawbacks persist, though.
The Soelden (women’s Sopris) has held a treasured place in the minds—and gear closets—of backcountry enthusiasts for years. It’s a great fit (both figuratively and literally) for the majority of skiers and riders, and it just received a welcome update. Some small design drawbacks persist, though.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Versatility
Durability
Weight
Sustainability
Weight
2 lb. 8 oz.
Capacities
32L (25L, 45L)
Avalanche tool pocket
Yes
Fabric(s)
420D nylon, 420D carbonate-coated nylon bottom
Pros
Cons
It’s not always the case when it comes to outdoor gear, but sometimes change is a good thing. That’s why we were so excited to test the latest iteration of the Soelden (women’s Sopris), which has long been one of our favorite do-it-all—or most of it, anyway—ski backpacks. First, let’s get into what hasn’t changed. Osprey still builds the Soelden with a 2.5-millimeter perimeter frame and a hard plastic framesheet. That might seem like overkill on a ski pack this size, until you hear your friends complaining about how unstructured their own packs are (we’re looking at you, Black Diamond Cirque 35) and realize you can load up your Soelden with as much as it can physically fit without coming down with a sore back. The backpanel foam strikes a nice balance between soft and supportive, as do the shoulder straps. Overall, this pack feels great under lunch-lap or big-line loads.
The Soelden’s organization is smart without being confusing, although there are a few things we’d change. The top goggle pocket is spacious enough for eyewear, snacks, and other small items. We also appreciate that the main compartment features a sleeve for a water bottle, a radio holder, and a small zippered compartment. (A single hipbelt pocket is ideal for quick-fix snacks as well.) However, backpanel-only access to the main compartment can get a bit tiring if you’re digging in your pack a lot, and you have to unbuckle the top set of ski- and snowboard-carry straps to access the avalanche tool compartment—a notable design flaw in our opinion. The process only takes a second, but we’d rather have one less step to do, no matter how small, in case of an emergency. Other than that, though, this backpack’s layout is a no-brainer.
Now for the new stuff. Osprey equipped the updated Soelden with 420-denier nylon (it even features a carbonate coating on the bottom), which represents a significant upgrade over the old version’s 210-denier main fabric and 70-denier bottom. The upgrade both extends the pack's usable life and sheds precipitation better, both of which are welcome results. The Soelden also has new zippers with paracord-and-plastic-casing pulls that feel sturdier than the old ones, as well as buckles and webbing that are more confidence-inspiring iterations on the previous version’s build. (We still don’t fully trust the ice axe carry, though.) In short, Osprey made a great ski pack even better, and there’s never been a better time to hop on the Soelden bandwagon. For more, read our Soelden 32 review.
The Patagonia PowSlayer 38L is a burly, weather-ready pack built to haul everything you need for big backcountry missions. It’s stable and well-organized for serious objectives, though there are some trade-offs in comfort.
The Patagonia PowSlayer 38L is a burly, weather-ready pack built to haul everything you need for big backcountry missions. It’s stable and well-organized for serious objectives, though there are some trade-offs in comfort.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Versatility
Durability
Weight
Sustainability
Weight
2 lb. 9.6 oz.
Capacities
38L
Avalanche tool pocket
Yes
Fabric(s)
210D nylon with TPU coating
Pros
Cons
The PowSlayer 38L is a medium-large ski pack that’s an effective backcountry companion on long, gear-heavy touring days—especially if it’s stormy. Its 210-denier nylon shell has a TPU coating, which, while not completely waterproof like the material on a Dyneema pack such as the Raide LF 30L, sheds precipitation well and helps keep your gear from getting wet. Speaking of gear: The PowSlayer’s organization is also a major highlight, with backpanel access (no top access, though), a large top pocket that fits more snacks and small items than the compartments we’ve seen on most other touring packs, dual hipbelt pockets—another rarity—and a helmet carry that you can deploy either on the pack’s top or dorsal panel. At 38 liters, there’s room for extra layers, food, water, and camera gear without feeling like you’re forcing things.
Even if you load the PowSlayer to the gills, our tester found that it remains stable on the descent (even when she was bouncing off pillows in the Washington backcountry). The thin backpanel conforms to the wearer’s body, and the feel makes the PowSlayer especially appealing for aggressive lines, sled-accessed missions, and big objectives for which you’re toting a lot of stuff. However, the backpanel and the pack’s lack of a frame make it a tad less comfortable than we’d like on the ascent; you’ll have to make sure that you pack carefully, lest a hard-sided thermos or a camera case become an uncomfortable annoyance sticking into your back. That said, the PowSlayer’s flexible structure worked well when our tester strapped it to a snowmobile or crammed it under other gear in her truck.
At 2 pounds, 9.6 ounces, this is one of the heaviest ski packs we’ve tested, but the PowSlayer’s heft feels justified by its features, organization, and materials. The TPU-coated fabric also resists abrasion well, the zippers and buckles are glove-friendly and quality, and after more than a dozen hard days, the pack still looks nearly new (aside from a small rip near the helmet carry). The PowSlayer is too bulky for resort use, but our tester found that she enjoyed bringing it on in-bounds uphill laps, since it felt so good on the descent and she wasn’t carrying a whole lot on the way up. All in all, if going back for refills on backcountry powder days is your jam, you should seriously consider this pack. For more, read our review of the PowSlayer 38.
In its smallest capacity, the Dawn Patrol 15 is a fairly niche ski pack. Its sweet spot is lift-accessed backcountry or short tours, but for medium-to-long missions, we’d prefer a pack with more storage and better avy tool access.
In its smallest capacity, the Dawn Patrol 15 is a fairly niche ski pack. Its sweet spot is lift-accessed backcountry or short tours, but for medium-to-long missions, we’d prefer a pack with more storage and better avy tool access.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Versatility
Durability
Weight
Sustainability
Weight
2 lb.
Capacities
15L (25L, 32L)
Avalanche tool pocket
No (shovel and probe storage in main compartment)
Fabric(s)
840D polyester, 210D nylon
Pros
Cons
Gear that’s designed with laser-focused priorities tends to pique our interest, and so we were excited to test the Dawn Patrol 15. What we found was a pack that generally succeeds at what it sets out to do, with a few obvious caveats. This is Black Diamond’s smallest ski pack, with a capacity and feature set that’s well positioned for use by someone who’s just getting into uphill travel—whether that’s skinning up their local resort or undertaking short backcountry tours. The Dawn Patrol’s slim profile and 15-liter capacity make it perfectly acceptable for use as a resort-only pack if you wish, but it’s kitted out with features that play well in the skin track. A helmet holder is an essential piece of uphill gear, and it has designated places for a probe and a shovel—both things that smaller, resort-oriented models like the Gregory Verte 12 and the Osprey Glade 12 lack.
About those avalanche tool holders, though. They’re located in a sub-pocket of the Black Diamond Dawn Patrol 15’s main compartment, not a totally separate space. That means you’ll probably end up covering the avy tools with your extra layers, food, and water, as our tester found out when she skied the Slot Couloir on Washington’s Snoqualmie Pass. Every second counts if you’re involved in a situation where you need to access your shovel and probe, and so this setup isn’t ideal. The Dawn Patrol’s 15-liter size is also a limiting factor if you want to step out for longer tours; our tester wasn’t able to bring as much water as she would’ve liked on a six-hour day, and so new skiers and riders who want to access more advanced terrain will have to purchase another touring pack. (Likewise, the Dawn Patrol’s small touring capacity makes its lone ice axe holder feel extraneous.)
If you’re using it for its intended purpose, though, this backpack feels great on both the ups and the downs. Our tester said that the Dawn Patrol’s backpanel is well structured but not too rigid, and that she never found it or the shoulder straps anything less than comfortable. The Dawn Patrol also has diagonal ski carry and vertical snowboard carry, and its thick main body materials mean that you won’t have to worry too much about durability if you’re doing a lot of bootpacking with it. While you shouldn’t undertake huge backcountry missions with this pack, it’s a good model for long inbounds days and learning the ins and outs of life in the skin track. For more, check out our review of the Dawn Patrol 15.
Not every ski pack has to be a pocket-riddled, overbuilt beast. The Cirque 35’s minimalist design will appeal to fans of keeping things simple yet technically proficient, although we found ourselves wishing for more structure and padding from the thin backpanel.
Not every ski pack has to be a pocket-riddled, overbuilt beast. The Cirque 35’s minimalist design will appeal to fans of keeping things simple yet technically proficient, although we found ourselves wishing for more structure and padding from the thin backpanel.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Versatility
Durability
Weight
Sustainability
Weight
2 lb. 6.1 oz.
Capacities
35L (25L, 50L)
Avalanche tool pocket
Yes
Fabric(s)
210D nylon with UHMWPE grid
Pros
Cons
Moving fast and light in the alpine is as tried and true a tactic in ski touring as it is in general mountaineering, and the Cirque 35 takes that ethos to heart. Black Diamond designed this backpack to stash everything you need for a lengthy day in the backcountry while keeping its structure fairly minimal. This approach works in some ways and doesn’t in others. Let’s start with the positives: For a pack with a 35-liter capacity and a roll-top collar that can increase the limit past that, the Cirque has one of the best space-to-weight ratios of the packs we’ve tested so far. It also features all the ski- and snowboard-carry solutions you need (diagonal, A-frame, vertical) and a larger-than-average avy tool pocket in which you can stash a med kit or a soaked layer. All that for less than 2.5 pounds? Not too shabby.
Of course, there are tradeoffs. The most noticeable is the Cirque’s lack of structure compared to competitors such as the Osprey Soelden 32 and the Raide LF 30L. Both of those packs have metal frames and stiff framesheets, which translates to good stability and prevents the main compartment’s contents from aggravating your back. The Black Diamond Cirque, on the other hand, features a thinly padded foam backpanel and doesn’t feel as comfortable when you fill it up. As our tester noted, it also forces you to pack the main compartment carefully—you’ll immediately feel anything sharp or bulbous that rests against your back, and adjusting your load is never fun when it’s cold outside. At least the lack of structure never got in the way of a fun descent, and our tester also reported that he barely felt the Cirque as he slashed through powder and even hit some cliffs.
The other caveat to the Cirque’s light weight is its durability. Our tester hasn’t seen any wear and tear yet, but this pack’s 210-denier nylon is on the thin side—the Soelden’s 420-denier nylon is substantially thicker, and the Mammut Nirvana 28 has a similarly burly nylon-poly blend. The Cirque’s nylon is reinforced with a UHMWPE grid, but that just means rips are highly unlikely to spread—they can still happen if you catch the wrong tree branch or axe pick. If you’re a fast-and-light proponent, the Cirque’s low weight will likely be worth its slight durability tradeoffs—just make sure to approach it like you would your favorite touring partner: Don’t overload it, and treat it right. And if you’re willing to spend up, check out the Cirque Ultra 35 ($430), which is built with incredibly lightweight yet durable Challenge Sailcloth Ultra 200D and 400D fabric and features a more strippable design. To learn more, check out our Cirque 35 review.
The Verte 12’s design mimics the perfect resort skiing day: uncomplicated and downhill oriented. This minimalist pack should hold everything you need for lift laps, although its ski and snowboard carry system isn’t our favorite and some folks may want more pockets.
The Verte 12’s design mimics the perfect resort skiing day: uncomplicated and downhill oriented. This minimalist pack should hold everything you need for lift laps, although its ski and snowboard carry system isn’t our favorite and some folks may want more pockets.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Versatility
Durability
Weight
Sustainability
Weight
1 lb. 6.7 oz.
Capacities
12L (18L)
Avalanche tool pocket
No
Fabric(s)
Nylon
Pros
Cons
The Verte 12 may not look like much—and that’s basically the point. This small backpack is designed to hold the bare essentials you’ll need for a day on the hill, but does that job better than if you were to carry your chairlift snacks and sunglasses in your ski shell and pants. Its 12-liter capacity can hold more than your apparel, and the Verte adds the convenience of a hydration reservoir sleeve. (Although it doesn’t come with a reservoir like one of its main competitors, the Osprey Glade 12.) Our tester noted that he was able to put his water bottle, GoPro, extra layer, gloves, and extra goggles in the main compartment, as well as his snacks, keys, and wallet in a small zippered pocket on the dorsal side. The Verte’s small side pouch, though, didn’t receive as much praise, as he said that it only made sense for holding sunglasses.
Once you fill the Gregory Verte 12 with what you need for the day, feel free to open the throttle. The pack’s slim, low-profile design lets you ski as if you weren’t wearing a pack at all—even when it’s fully loaded—and won’t be too unwieldy if you choose to wear it on a chairlift. Our tester reported that the Verte’s frameless, medium-thick foam backpanel proved comfortable enough, and that its elastic webbing hipbelt was a standout feature. It keeps the pack snug to a skier's body and is stretchy enough to move with you through everything from double blacks to the half pipe. Our tester gleefully told us that he was able to carve, ride switch, and hit the terrain park without compromising his ski performance. (Larger and bulkier models, even ones that are a small step up like the Black Diamond Dawn Patrol 15, will impede your movement more.)
While our tester enjoyed the backpack’s on-body feel, he wasn’t a huge fan of the Verte’s diagonal ski carry system. The top tether, located in a small stuff pouch above the left shoulder strap, is hard to access—basically impossible with gloves on. The bottom loop is easier to operate, but the entire system would be a pain if you plan to frequently stow your skis for hiking. Thankfully, once you’ve set the system up, the ski carry works well, and the Verte can (somewhat surprisingly) adequately support the proper amount of weight. Snowboarders will have to find another solution, though, as this pack isn’t set up for vertical board carry. You’re bound to run into caveats with packs this small—and, on the positive side, affordable—and the Verte doesn’t succumb to many of them. For more, read our review of the Verte 12.
Compare Ski Backpacks
The Switchback is one of the most well-rounded ski packs we’ve tested. It’s sized just right for run-of-the-mill single-day tours, but it has a feature set that can handle more vertical endeavors. There are a couple of design quirks, though, and some competitors cost less.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Versatility
Durability
Weight
Sustainability
There’s more than meets the eye with this pack. The Glade 12 isn’t large, but its organization is dialed for resort skiing and it boasts an included hydration reservoir with an insulated hose. As long as you’re not venturing beyond the ropes, its only real drawback is a less-than-beefy ski carry system.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Versatility
Durability
Weight
Sustainability
Raide is relatively new to the scene, but it hasn’t wasted any time jumping to the front of the pack. The LF 30L leverages ultra-premium UHMPWE fabric, innovative storage solutions, and oodles of features into a fantastic package. If only the price weren’t as scary as a persistent weak layer.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Versatility
Durability
Weight
Sustainability
Our Testing and Team
It’s not just about how a ski backpack feels in the parking lot, it’s about how it carries through a full day of climbing and skiing: how it handles transitions, and how it deals with sweat, snow, and everything in between. That’s why our testers have spent serious time with each pack here. These are folks logging 50+ days each season, rotating through different packs and dialing in their systems along the way. Over the years, they’ve worn a wide range of designs, building a deep well of points of comparison for carry comfort, organization, durability, and overall usability. The picks in this article represent just a snapshot of our testing: we’ve fully reviewed 11 ski backpacks so far, with thousands of hours of field use and well over 30 products tested across the Better Trail team.
Highlights from Better Trail’s ski backpack testing:
- Our tester and photographer Jason Hummel loaded down the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Headwall with 60 pounds of gear and took it on a five-day ski traverse through Olympic National Park.
- Tetons-based tester Jack Yaguda has owned the Dakine RAS Poacher Vest for over seven years, logging 40 to 50 days per season in it. Needless to say, his review was thorough.
- The Osprey Soelden 32 got a revamp, so we put it in the hands of tester Tristan Weisz, who had extensive experience with the prior gen. Despite a challenging start to the 2026 season, he still managed to get it out for 20 touring days in the Tetons before sending in his insights.
- When Patagonia refreshed its ski backpack collection, we dove headfirst into testing. Washington-based Henri Halle and Vivika Stamolis put the SnowDrifter, PowSlayer, and Descensionist through a full season of abuse.
Our Ratings Explained
Our overall rating considers the product’s complete picture, encompassing price, build quality, performance (based on its intended use), durability, and more. At the high end of the rating scale are standout ski packs that offer something special, whether they’re a technical tour de force or a budget design with a savvy feature set. In our opinion, most readers should look to purchase a pack with an above-average overall rating. That said, ski packs with lower overall ratings are still notable enough to have made our list; for various reasons, these packs might excel in one or two aspects that appeal to some users, or perhaps fit into a particular ski adventure niche.
It’s likely you’ll be wearing your ski pack for a while each time you use it—after all, who can say no to just one more lap? Thus, it’s imperative that it actually feels good on your back and can ably support whatever contents you throw in it. Factors that affect a ski pack’s score in this category include the type and amount of padding on its shoulder straps, hipbelt, and backpanel; how much weight its suspension can evenly distribute (or if it has a suspension at all); how well the pack hugs its load to your body when you descend; and if the pack is able to protect your back from bulky or pokey contents inside the bag.
Sturdy ski packs that feel great even when fully loaded up. They’re amply cushioned, feel stable when you go downhill, and never leave you with a sore back or shoulders.
These models have decent padding and can carry a medium amount of weight, but they might start to sag and feel a bit uncomfy if you overload them or are hauling especially bulky gear.
Packs that fall in this range have little padding and are not designed to carry more than a small amount of weight.
The storage layout on a ski pack might matter more than in any other pack category. Organization, in this case, isn’t just a matter of convenience, as it can affect your efficiency and safety—especially if you’re in the backcountry. Being able to quickly and easily access all of your gear—including, of course, avalanche rescue tools—is the mark of a well-designed ski pack, and our favorite models in this category make finding whatever you’re looking for almost second nature. Touring-oriented models should have a separate avalanche tool pocket, and we’re also big fans of external straps that can accommodate a variety of ski and snowboard carry configurations.
Models that have a compartment (or a strap) for everything, whether it be your lunch, car keys, an ice axe, or skis you need to throw on your back for a steep bootpack. If it’s a backcountry-oriented pack, its avy tool pocket is easy to access.
You might be able to fit everything you need in these packs, but the process is less intuitive and might take some finagling.
These packs are usually small and have the bare minimum for organization. In some cases, they may be larger models that have confusing pocket layouts.
We’re big fans of gear that can fill multiple roles and be an asset on a variety of adventures, and that holds true with ski packs. Models that score highly in this category will be your faithful companion for the vast majority of winter, whether you’re spinning laps in bounds, skinning in search of blank-canvas powder, or breaking out the sharps for a spring mountaineering mission. Having a versatile pack is good for saving closet space and not overthinking gear decisions, but sometimes you might want a model that’s specifically designed for a certain type of ski outing. If that’s the case, you may end up selecting a product that doesn’t excel here.
You can use this pack for just about any ski-based activity you can think of. It’s not too overbuilt for resort use, has the correct feature set for a normal ski tour, and you can even push it into mountaineering duty.
Packs in this range excel at one skiing category (resort, backcountry, technical) and work decently well in one or two of the others. They’re not true all-rounders, though.
Ski packs with a low score in this category are tailor-made for one thing and one thing only, and should only be used for that.
Ski packs take a beating. Buying one that can stand up to the gauntlet of sharp ski edges, rocks, and being tossed into the trunk of your car again and again will save you stress (and money) in the long run. The burliest models feature rip-resistant materials—from ultralight but ultra-tough UHMWPE to thick nylon—and solid hardware, such as buckles and zippers, that won’t fail you in the field. Not everyone needs a crazy durable pack, though: If you’re a skier or rider who only hits the hill or the skin track a few times a year, you can probably get away with buying one that gets an average score in this category—just make sure to treat it carefully when you go in search of snow.
These bomber ski packs are made with thick materials (or UHMWPE) that will stand the test of time. All hardware is similarly constructed, and you can use these packs for many years of rough-and-tumble ski outings.
Models that are made with thin fabrics and hardware, and which won’t stand up to the rigors of skiing without extra care.
These boots offer minimal protection, are perhaps not fully waterproof, and wearing them might result in wet feet.
Ski backpack design is a balancing act of features, comfort, toughness, and weight. The importance of that final piece should be abundantly clear—a lighter pack is an easier one to carry for extended periods. Our weight rating also takes into account the capacity of the pack, so a 16-liter model that weighs 2 pounds won’t score as well as a 30-liter pack of the same weight. The good news is that most designs we’ve tested are relatively svelte, although some, like the Hyperlite Headwall 55, stand out from the rest.
Excellent weight-to-capacity ratio. These packs are dialed and won’t hold you back on big days in the mountains.
Average weight that’s completely fine for typical resort use and day tours.
Heavy packs that are too burdensome for all but casual resort use or very short backcountry outings.
Our sustainability rating for ski backpacks considers nine distinct criteria. On the product level, we’re looking for recycled or Bluesign-approved materials and PFAS/PFC-free durable water-repellent finishes. On the brand level, our criteria include whether the company offers repair services, has a dedicated resale or recycling program, uses recycled or reduced packaging, monitors greenhouse gas emissions (often measured by the Higg Index), and publishes an annual impact report. We also consider the degree to which our criteria are met; for example, 10% recycled materials is not the same as 100% recycled materials. Note that not every sustainability effort by a brand or product fits neatly into our categories. In these circumstances, we may adjust a rating based on these factors. You can find details on these factors in the sustainability drop-down under each product above.
These ski backpacks are among the most sustainable on the market and earn our Better Trail Certified distinction. They often meet most of our sustainability criteria for this category.
These ski backpacks are a good, middle-of-the-pack option for sustainability. They often meet half or more of our criteria for this category.
These ski backpacks are the least sustainable and have significant room for improvement. They usually only meet about a quarter or less of our criteria.
Anatomy of a Ski Backpack
Nylon
As with hiking backpacks, nylon is the go-to material for many ski backpacks. It strikes a healthy balance between durability, water resistance, and weight, while remaining pretty affordable—especially compared to UHMWPE, as you’ll see below. Most of the nylon in the ski packs we’ve reviewed is strong enough to withstand the rigors of many ski seasons—perhaps needing a small patch here or there—but some versions of the fabric are thicker and thus more durable than others. (For more on fabric thickness, check out our denier explainer below.)
Some packs might feature nylon that has increased tear-resistance via beefed-up construction, such as ripstop cross-hatching, or perhaps Robic or Cordura fabric varieties. (The Ortovox Switchback 30 S, for example, is built with burly, 420D Cordura nylon.) But for our purposes, it’s easiest to think of nylon overall as a workhorse material that you’ll see in the vast majority of ski packs.
UHMWPE (Dyneema & Challenge Ultra)
This ultra-premium technology used to be solely the domain of ultralighters and thru-hikers, but over the past few years, it has begun to make its way into backcountry ski packs. Currently, there are two main options: Dyneema and the newcomer Challenge Ultra. Made from ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, or UHMWPE, the materials are incredibly strong for their weights—Dyneema and Challenge Ultra are much lighter but also much more tear- and abrasion-resistant than nylon. They’re also waterproof, which can be a game-changer when you’re out on a long ski tour and it’s really coming down.
The tradeoff, of course, is that they’re costly. The two UHMWPE packs we’ve tested, the Hyperlite Headwall 55 and the Raide LF 30L, are two of the priciest non-airbag packs on the market ($399 and $449, respectively), but at least you know you’re getting a high-quality model. You can scrape, toss, and generally beat up both of them without fear of the fabric ripping, and we’ll take any peace of mind we can find on a ski tour. In that vein, you can be sure both of those packs will keep your emergency puffy dry even if wet snow or rain is soaking through your shell. Another intriguing model in this category is the Pa’lante Snow Pack, which features a super-minimalist design and is made with Ultraweave 400tx, a 400-denier woven 60% UHMWPE, 40% polyester blend with a 70-denier polyester layer tacked on for good measure.
Fabric Denier
A fabric’s denier, or D, indicates how thick it is and is thus a great indicator of the material’s durability. A high denier—420-denier nylon, for example—is thicker and usually more resistant to damage than a thinner denier of the same material (210D nylon, say). Some ski packs may feature high-denier materials in areas that see a lot of abrasion, such as the bottom of the main compartment or near the ski holder straps. Less-exposed sections, such as the interior lining or hipbelt pockets, might be made of lower-denier fabrics to conserve weight.
We should note that denier is not as good a comparative durability indicator between two fabrics, such as Dyneema and nylon. Because UHMWPE is much stronger for its weight, a low-denier Dyneema material might still be more tear-resistant than nylon fabric with a higher denier. To suss out how resilient a ski pack’s fabric is, make sure to read the “Durability” section of our in-depth product reviews.
It’s likely you’ll be carrying a noticeable amount of weight in your ski pack, ranging from a water reservoir and snacks in small, resort-oriented models such as the Osprey Glade 12 to avalanche tools and enough gear for a full-day tour in larger packs such as the Raide LF 30L. To help you comfortably shoulder whatever type of load the day calls for, some ski packs have a support system—which we commonly refer to as the suspension—in the form of a frame, a framesheet, or stays (in addition to the shoulder straps and hipbelt, which we’ll get to in a moment). All of those components, which are placed inside or around the backpanel, help evenly distribute weight across your back and to your hips (aided by the hipbelt) and help prevent the pack from bulging or collapsing when you fully stuff it.
Models that we’ve reviewed with full internal metal frames include the Osprey Soelden 32 and the Raide LF 30L (it’s removable). The Hyperlite Headwall 55 has two removable aluminum stays (which provide some support and prevent barreling), and the Glade 12 has a hard foam framesheet. Just because a pack doesn’t have any of these components doesn’t mean it’s a slouch at schlepping loads, though. A stiff foam backpanel often does a good job of distributing weight, although perhaps slightly less so at preventing pack sway. The Ortovox Switchback is an example of a ski pack that lacks a true frame but is still supportive enough to stuff full for a long day in the skin track.
Along with a frame or a stiff backpanel, the shoulder straps and hipbelt make up a ski pack’s suspension. These straps are often the parts of a pack that are in contact with your body the most—some backpanels may not sit entirely on your back—and play an enormous role in a given model’s overall comfort. They’re made from foam, mesh, or a combo of the two, and padding varies widely. Some straps are heavily cushioned for plush comfort, while others are minimalist and breathable. Ideally, though, your shoulder straps and hipbelt should feel good even when the pack is weighted. Ratcheting your hipbelt and shoulder straps down is essential on the descent, as you don’t want your pack to sway back and forth, compromising your form.
Hipbelts vary widely in their design. Some, like those found on the resort-oriented Osprey Glade 12 and Gregory Verte 12, consist merely of webbing straps that don't really distribute any weight; their purpose is to prevent pack sway while skiing. More robust examples, however, such as the versions found on the Osprey Soelden 32 and the Black Diamond Cirque 35, feature padded foam wings that cushion your hips and distribute the weight more evenly under heavier loads. Larger hipbelts can also be equipped with zippered pockets—some have one, some have two—for keeping your phone, snacks, or other essentials close at hand.
Likewise, shoulder straps come in various widths and thicknesses. They might also feature a pocket or two, as is the case with the Ortovox Switchback and models designed for fast-and-light ski mountaineering objectives. As with pack design in general, the key is finding both shoulder straps and a hipbelt that feel secure, supportive, and don’t dig into you while you ski.
The backpanel is the part of a ski pack that (surprise, surprise) rests against your back, playing a crucial role in both support and comfort. A well-designed backpanel provides structure—via a frame, framesheet, or stiffened foam—and helps protect your back from pointy objects inside the main compartment. Different packs employ varying amounts of foam and rigidity, so the backpanel feel can range from plush to firm. Pick the one that’s right for you and the types of loads you’ll usually be carrying. (Usually, a stiffer backpanel equals better support.)
Ventilation is another key backpanel design element. Some incorporate shallow channels in the foam, which lift sections of the pack slightly away from your back to improve airflow. Because there aren’t any ski packs with mesh “trampoline-style” backpanels like you might find on some backpacking packs or daypacks, we haven’t found any models that are particularly breathable. However, carrying something like the Headwall 55, which places solid Dyneema directly against your back, is usually a recipe for a sweatfest in warm conditions.
Another major difference that many ski packs have from their three-season cousins is the ability to open the backpanel via a zipper that runs around its entirety. Backpanel access is quite helpful for accessing your pack’s main compartment without rummaging through the top opening, and it allows you to grab your gear while placing your pack on the snow without the interior getting wet. Not all ski packs have this feature, but some that do include the Osprey Soelden 32 and the Raide LF 30L.
Main Compartment
The main compartment is the space around which the rest of your ski pack is built. It’s the largest compartment on any model, designed to hold your layers and other bulky items, such as a med kit, a sandwich, a water bottle, and anything else that’s too large to fit in the other pockets. You can access many ski pack main compartments through a top zipper, a roll top, or by opening the backpanel, although some models only allow one of those. Many ski packs also feature a sleeve for holding a hydration reservoir in the main compartment (some packs like the Osprey Glade 12 even include a reservoir). You can often run a reservoir tube or a radio cable out of the main compartment and through a hole in one of the pack’s shoulder straps.
Some main compartments feature internal pockets or dividers to keep smaller essentials—such as keys, wallet, and snacks—organized and easily accessible. You might also find a radio holder in the main compartment. Interior organization is usually more sparse overall than on backpacking packs and daypacks, though, as simplicity and low weight are often a higher priority in models specifically made for skiing.
Avalanche Tool Pocket
This compartment is a crucial component of any ski pack you’ll take into the backcountry. The avalanche tool pocket holds your avalanche probe and avalanche shovel, two out of the three must-have items (along with a beacon) for practicing safety in avalanche terrain. It’s crucial that you can easily access those items in an emergency, and so the best-designed ski packs separate the avalanche tool pocket from the main compartment.
Many backcountry packs place the avy tools pocket on the dorsal side of the pack, farthest from your back, and kit it out with a large, U-shaped zipper that runs around the entire pocket. Others, such as the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Headwall 55, might have a dorsal avy pocket that’s always semi-open (the closure is secured with a strap) for even quicker access. Finally, although it’s not a hard and fast rule, we recommend that you keep only a few items in your avalanche tool pocket, if any at all.
Goggle Pocket
Many ski packs feature this compartment, which is usually located at the top of the pack (slightly behind the wearer’s head). It’s called the goggle pocket because it’s traditionally lined with microfleece or another soft fabric that won’t scratch your ski goggles if you stash them in the compartment without their carrying pouch. Of course, you can also store other items in this pocket—snacks, sunscreen, a wallet, and sunglasses will all usually fit into an average-sized goggle pocket.
Other Pockets
In addition to the pockets above, ski backpacks with hipbelts that aren’t just webbing will frequently have either one or two hipbelt pockets. These compartments are usually zippered (although we’ve seen ones that aren’t), and they’re great places to store your phone, some snack bars or gels, sunscreen, chapstick, and more. In lieu of a hipbelt pocket, some ski packs may feature a short, reinforced length of webbing from which you can hang an ice screw clipper or other technical items.
It’s important to note that, if you’re storing your phone in your hipbelt, you should make sure that it’s more than a hand's breadth away from your avalanche beacon. (This is especially true if you’re wearing your beacon on a chest harness or storing it in your bib.) A phone that’s placed too close to a beacon can interfere with its electronic signals, compromising the device’s effectiveness and range.
Another distinguishing feature of most ski packs is their ability to carry skis and snowboards if you’re walking or putting in a bootpack (i.e., not skinning). This is accomplished (usually) via straps on the side and back of the pack, which you can thread your skis or snowboard through; usually, you can cinch down the strap with a buckle or a metal hook to prevent the plank from jostling. Because ski and snowboard edges are sharp, the webbing and fabric that make up ski holder straps are usually reinforced to prevent premature wear.
On large ski packs, you’ll typically have the option of carrying your skis or snowboard in multiple configurations. A-frame style utilizes the straps on the side of the pack to lash the skis—or a splitboard in split mode—to the pack so that their front ends rise above your head. Diagonal carry involves placing the skis together (as you would when carrying them casually on your shoulder) and looping them through a strap at the top of the pack and one on the opposite side at the bottom. A one-piece snowboard carry is typically vertical, secured by one strap on the center back and one on the pack’s center bottom. (There are other ski carry systems, found mainly on skimo racing-style packs, that prioritize quick frontside access, but we won’t cover those here.)
While it’s mainly large packs designed for touring that feature ski carry systems, some smaller, resort-oriented models do as well. After all, who wants to huff and puff their way up that bootpack to an inbounds bowl while cradling skis on their shoulder? Out of the models we’ve tested, the Osprey Glade 12 can do a diagonal carry or vertical snowboard carry, while the Gregory Verte 12 is diagonal carry only. (Of note: because small ski packs lack structure, the ski or snowboard carry might not be as user-friendly and comfy as on larger models.)
Many packs built for ski touring feature a deployable swatch of fabric—sometimes solid, sometimes mesh—that allows you to securely attach your ski helmet to the back of the pack. Stowing your helmet in a pack’s helmet carry system prevents it from bumping around and annoying you (which it would do if you just clipped it to a pack strap) while also saving pack space, since you also don’t have to store it inside.
Helmet carry systems range in usefulness from “bomber security” to “oops, my helmet just rolled down the mountain.” Always assess the quality of the carry before you head out—and we’ll help with that in our reviews where applicable—and double-check that all the straps are tight. When you’re ready to descend, you’ll need to stow the fabric (storage options range from a built-in stuff pocket to a separate pouch).
Most of the models we’ve tested that are built for touring have at least one ice axe carry loop at the bottom of the pack. This loop—which in some models is replaced by a metal toggle on an elastic cord—secures the head of your ice axe while you strap the shaft to the back of the pack. If you’re a snowboarder, you can also store poles with this loop for the descent, although a pack’s side straps might be more secure.
Like most of a ski backpack’s external features, ice tool loops are designed to reduce clutter and keep items in place on the outside of the pack. Ski backpacks that you’re more likely to take on big mountain missions that might involve technical, no-fall bootpacking—or perhaps even ice climbing—are more likely to have two loops so you can wield dual axes. The Raide LF 30L, Black Diamond Cirque 35, and Hyperlite Headwall 55 all fit that description.
Some ski backpacks either come equipped with an inflatable avalanche airbag system or are compatible with an optional and removable airbag setup. (Out of the packs we’ve tested, the Dakine Poacher RAS Vest is the only airbag-compatible pack, made to be used with the Mammut Removable Airbag System.) Avalanche airbag design is becoming increasingly user-friendly, with units that are smaller, more powerful, and more efficient. We will be testing more airbag packs in the future. However, airbag packs are significantly more expensive than standard ski packs and are heavier despite advances in technology.
Airbags can lower your chance of injury if you get caught in an avalanche. When inflated, they can help you rise above the snow entrained by an avalanche so you don’t sink under, and they also provide protection for your head and neck against blunt-force trauma. Airbags inflate via one of two methods: A small gas canister that fills the airbag and must be refilled afterward, or a powerful, electric-powered fan that operates on batteries or a charge. No matter which kind of mechanism your airbag system has, you set the inflation process in motion by pulling a trigger located on one of your pack’s shoulder straps.
We also need to address a significant caveat here: Wearing an airbag pack and even successfully inflating an airbag during an avalanche do not guarantee protection against injury and death. The best defense against avalanches is not getting caught in one in the first place. Therefore, buying an airbag pack is not a substitute for receiving proper avalanche training, assessing snow conditions, and making safe decisions. If you choose to do so, we really like the Ortovox Avabag Litric Tour 30. It has a low-profile, rechargeable electronic system, and for an airbag pack, it’s relatively light while still being full-featured enough for the majority of your touring days.
Your Questions Answered
This depends, more or less, on how much time you intend to spend on the snow, along with the amount of gear you need for the day. If you’re going to be riding chairs at the resort, most of your layers will likely remain on your body for the day, and you’re probably not bringing a large amount of food or water. Thus, you’ll do fine with a pack that’s 15 liters or less; the Black Diamond Dawn Patrol 15, Osprey Glade 12, and Gregory Verte 12 all fit the bill. For heading out into the backcountry for a short tour—say, half a day or less—a model in the 15- to 30-liter range will suffice. Those packs have enough room for avalanche tools, your layers, and enough food and water for a morning or afternoon, but aren’t so spacious that you’re toting unnecessary weight up the mountain.
Full-day ski tours usually require more space for more gear (an emergency puffy, a radio, and a rescue sled, perhaps), and so you’ll probably want to carry a pack that’s between 30 and 40 liters. Many of the models we’ve reviewed fall into this range, and they’re some of the most well-rounded packs in the category. Finally, for far-flung multi-day ski excursions and big-time mountaineering missions—both gear- and food-intensive endeavors—consider using a pack that’s 40 liters or above. (You’ll thank us when you don’t have to worry about where you can store your rope, or if you can bring that extra freeze-dried dessert.) Out of the packs we’ve tested so far, the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Headwall 55 best fits that description (the larger-capacity Black Diamond Cirque 50 is another to have on your radar).
Like their three-season counterparts, sizing for ski packs depends on two measurements: your torso length and waist size. If you don’t know your torso length, here’s the rundown: First, bow your head and find the noticeable bump that protrudes from the back of your neck; this is your C7 vertebra and where your measurement starts. Next, place your hands on the top of your hip bones, otherwise known as your iliac crest. Trace a line from your iliac crest towards your spine; where the two meet is the bottom point of your measurement. Now, stand up straight and ask a friend to measure the distance between your C7 and your iliac crest/spine junction. To take your hip measurement, run a measuring tape around your hips at the level of your iliac crest.
Some ski packs are only offered in a “one size fits most” shape, including resort-oriented designs like the Osprey Glade or Gregory’s Verte. In those cases, you’ll need to verify you fall safely within the fit range. Others are offered in multiple sizes, which can be helpful if your measurements land on the low or high end. The Black Diamond Cirque, for example, is made in two sizes: S/M (16-19 in. torsos and 26-40 in. waists) and M/L (18.5-21.5 in. torsos and 28-45 in. waists). If you’re between sizes—using the Cirque as a reference, let’s say an 18.5-inch torso—we recommend erring on the smaller size to avoid a too-bulky and overly large pack, which could impact comfort while skinning and skiing.
By and large, yes. Ski packs fulfill the needs of both disciplines in terms of what you’ll be carrying (layers, food, water, avalanche tools). The only real difference to watch out for is whether or not a pack’s external straps support snowboard carry, whether in vertical orientation (the most popular way to carry a board) or, if you prefer, A-frame style in split mode. Fortunately, many models—even small, resort-oriented packs—are equipped with straps that facilitate both ski and snowboard carry. (The Gregory Verte 12 is the exception, as it does not have a snowboard carry option, but the 18L version of that pack does.) Besides straps, though, snowboarders can rest assured that the vast majority of ski pack designs will also work for them.
Generally, the answer is no. There are two main reasons: 1) most skiers don’t need a fully waterproof design because they’re typically out in dry, snowy (not rainy) conditions, and 2) fully waterproof packs are quite expensive. For most day touring or resort days, a backpack with a thick nylon shell and a durable water-repellent (DWR) coating will effectively shed snow and prevent moisture from seeping in when the pack is set down. In especially wet conditions, it’s a good idea to store sensitive gear in a waterproof stuff sack. For big objectives—including multi-day trips—or if waterproofing is a must, we recommend a pack made with ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). Designs like the Hyperlite Headwall 55 ($449) and Raide’s LF 30L ($399) feature premium waterproof constructions, though they come at a steep price.
The answer to this question is actually quite simple: If you plan on skiing or riding anywhere outside the controlled and patrolled boundaries of a resort, you need a beacon, a shovel, and a probe—and thus a pack with an avy tool compartment. (And, yes, the terrain in question includes resort-accessed backcountry.) Avalanche tool compartments keep your shovel and probe easily accessible and free from clutter in case of an emergency, and are a key component in keeping your rescue process quick and streamlined. Many of the packs we’ve reviewed feature these compartments and are therefore primed for backcountry use. On the other hand, a model like the Osprey Glade 12, which does not have a place for a shovel and probe, should not be taken outside resort boundaries.
Ultimately, this is a personal decision. We haven’t published an avalanche ski pack guide yet, but airbags are commonly used backcountry tools that can lower your chance of injury if you’re caught in an avalanche. (They are not, of course, substitutes for proper training and making smart decisions in the backcountry, and you can still get hurt—or worse—even if you use one.) The disaster mitigation benefits of an airbag are clear if you’re caught in a slide and deploy it correctly, but there are downsides to wearing an airbag pack as well. They’re much more expensive (up to $1,400 in some cases), heavier, and require more upkeep. Airbag packs may also provide a false sense of security that could lure you into making questionable decisions in avalanche terrain—but you, dedicated Better Trail reader, will always do your best to stay safe, right?
We’d never tell anybody to avoid purchasing an airbag pack, especially if you spend a lot of time in avalanche terrain. However, you should be absolutely aware of the tradeoffs they present and remain mindful not to let carrying one cloud your judgment in the backcountry.
First off, what exactly makes a ski backpack "sustainable"? Simply put, a sustainable ski pack is designed and built to minimize its impact on people and the planet. Key indicators include the use of recycled and Bluesign-approved materials, PFAS-free durable water-repellent (DWR) finishes, and brand-wide efforts such as reduced or recyclable packaging, repair services, and carbon footprint tracking.
In the realm of sustainable ski backpacks, Mammut, Osprey, Gregory, and Patagonia are notable brands. Among the products reviewed above, Mammut’s Nirvana 28 leads the way, meeting eight of our nine sustainability metrics (the only exception is that Mammut does not offer resale and/or recycling services). Patagonia’s latest 2025-2026 collection of ski packs also earned top scores, including the SnowDrifter, Descensionist, and all-new PowSlayer.
For more information, visit our Sustainability Hub to view our sustainability reports for all these packs, including the Mammut Nirvana Sustainability Report.
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