We could earn income from the merchandise out there on this web page and take part in affiliate applications. Learn More ›
If you retain mountaineering, searching, and backpacking by way of snow and freezing temps, you want a winter backpack. A specialty chilly climate pack is essential for climate resistance, security instruments, and extra provides. Your typical summer season day pack is probably going going to be too small and unfit for winter circumstances. A water-resistant or resistant pack able to holding thicker layers, extra gear, and additional snacks will enhance your cold-weather adventures tenfold. Winter backpacks additionally ship ingenious options to your favourite sports activities and ergonomic matches for snowboarding with a load in your again.
There are loads of winter sports activities to account for, so I put the perfect winter backpacks by way of hands-on testing whereas snowboarding, touring, snowshoeing, mountaineering, and searching to find out how properly they carry out in moist and chilly circumstances and examine their options.
How I Tested Winter Packs
I took ten packs from prime outside manufacturers on quite a lot of actions to finest decide which options, supplies, and designs truly thrive in harsh winter circumstances. While a snowshoer, skier, and hunter may worth completely different specs, the perfect winter backpacks ought to accommodate quite a lot of sports activities for the jack-of-all-trades outdoorsman or girl. Avalanche security software storage may not be crucial in the event you solely ski at resorts or primarily hunt on snowy plains, however on backcountry expeditions in avalanche terrain, it’s a non-negotiable. Some winter sports activities could be gear intensive requiring helmets, ropes, crampons, ice axes, and so forth. An amazing winter pack ought to have the ability to accommodate all of this plus your day by day necessities. So I examined all of those backpacks with a normal deal with comfort, climate resistance, and high quality whereas noting sport-specific options to higher inform these in an unique relationship with a winter exercise.
Best Winter Backpacks: Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall: Mountain Hardwear Powabunga 32
Key Features
- Material: 500D Nylon
- Weight: 51.4 oz
- Sizes: S-M, M-L
- Dedicated Safety Tools Pocket: Yes
- Goggle Pocket: Yes
- Hipbelt Pockets: Single right-side zipper pocket
- Helmet Holder: Yes
- Hydration System Compatible: Yes
- Diagonal, A-frame, and centered carry choices for skis and snowboard
- Back panel zipper for simple entry
Pros
- Insulated hydration tube routing
- Removable sternum strap with whistle
- Top zip fleece-lined goggle pocket with non-compulsory prime zip entry to important compartment
Cons
- Access to important compartment is restricted
The Powabunga’s padded hipbelt system supplies mobility whereas the suspension strikes along with your pure snowboarding or boarding rhythm. The load lifter straps on the base of the neck, together with aspect compression straps and intuitive hipbelts, make this pack so streamlined to your physique you’ll overlook you will have it on. The spring metal body additionally supplies flexibility, whereas retaining secure load switch.
The entrance helmet hammock stows in a pocket and permits helmet keep it up entrance or backside to accommodate a-frame or diagonal ski carry. The decrease diagonal ski loop can also be stowable and has a fast deploy tab. The entrance panel is foam-reinforced to guard towards diagonal ski or board edges and instruments. The again panel is moisture wicking and snow shedding.
While there’s an extra entry level to the principle compartment apart from the again panel, it’s contained in the google pocket which could be proscribing. However, there are massive vertical aspect zipper pockets with expandable bellows for skins, further gloves, or water bottles which might be simple to entry and assist in group. The hipbelts are additionally adjustable and there’s one pocket for hand heaters or snacks.
Best Ultralight: Arc’teryx Rush SK 16
Key Features
- Materials: High tenacity nylon pack fabric with nylon ripstop waterproof cloth in areas uncovered to snow and moisture
- Weight: 25.7 ounces
- Sizes: One measurement
- Dedicated Pocket for Safety Tools: Yes
- Goggle Pocket: Yes
- Hipbelt Pockets: No
- Helmet Holder: Yes
- Hydration System Compatible: No
- Back panel zipper for simple entry
- Snowboards carry vertically, skis A-frame or diagonally
Pros
- Lightweight
- Critical seams are taped for added water resistance
- Removable sternum strap with security whistle
Cons
- Helmet hammock isn’t excellent
- Not hydration system appropriate
This winter backpack is designed for pace. It’s small and light-weight for the quick and minimalist tour. Arc’teryx’s Rush SK is streamlined and skinny however accommodates a frivolously padded again panel with a body sheet to comfortably carry masses. There are designated pouches in the principle compartment for a probe, shovel, and shovel shaft. I particularly appreciated the mesh shovel pocket that spans the width of the bag minus room for the probe and shaft. While it’s not a wholly separate pocket, these mesh inserts present nice group.
Even the reflective white inside makes you speedier at choosing gadgets from the principle compartment. One space not designed for a fast transition is the helmet hammock. It’s secured by 4 daisy chains and could be utterly eliminated. However the tiny hooks and changes are tough to maneuver particularly when full of snow whilst you’re sporting gloves.
Most Versatile: Rossignol Escaper Tour 25L
Key Features
- Material: 100% recycled polyester fibers
- Weight: 31.7 ounces
- Sizes: One measurement
- Dedicated Safety Tool Pocket: Yes
- Goggle Pocket: Yes
- Hipbelt Pockets: Single open mesh pocket
- Helmet Holder: Yes
- Hydration System Compatible: Yes
- A-frame and centered carry choices for skis and snowboard
- Back panel zipper for simple entry
Pros
- Hydration system appropriate
- Versatile
Cons
- No insulation for hydration hose
From summer season hikes to winter rides, this bag is the perfect all-season possibility. Made out of recycled polyester, it’s higher for the atmosphere, too. There is a handy zipper pocket diagonal throughout the again and an open mesh hip pocket. I significantly admire the again panel zipper being on the surface of the straps versus inside. This makes entry a lot simpler and faster.
The Escaper Tour is a sturdy and weatherproof possibility all yr lengthy. It can maintain your helmet, avy package, and skis or provides for a day hike. It doesn’t have extreme straps or buckles making it light-weight and minimalistic. However, there are elevate loader straps for optimum match and ergonomic suspension in the event you’re packing heavy. I used to be initially fearful that my helmet would slip by way of the carry system because it appeared unfastened however there have been no points.
Best for the Backcountry: Ortovox Free Rider 20 S
Key Features
- Material: 100% polyamide 400D (recycled) PFC-free
- Weight: 34.6 ounces
- Sizes: One measurement
- Dedicated Pocket for Safety Tools: Yes
- Goggle Pocket: Yes
- Hipbelt Pockets: No
- Helmet Holder: Yes
- Hydration System Compatible: Yes
- Diagonal ski fastening
- Snowboard and snowshoe attachment
- Back panel zipper for simple entry
Pros
- Chest strap with sign whistle
- Light colours inside make it simpler to seek out your tools
- Climate-neutral
Cons
The Free Rider, just like the Powabunga, matches further snugly towards the again attributable to a flat, elasticated flex belt. The delicate bag additionally hugs the backbone, so it doesn’t limit motion. It’s streamlined to stop catching, even when in tough terrain. You can add an non-compulsory backbone protector to this pack for intense backcountry excursions.
Ortovox’s helmet carry is the perfect of all of the winter backpacks on this record. It matches snugly and simply with an hooked up stow-away pocket. There can also be an built-in compression system the place you possibly can cosy the backpack nearer by way of two drawcords on the underside and there are elastic loops to tuck the surplus on the hipbelt. It matches comfortably and holds up within the components. The design is intuitive and performs the perfect on backcountry missions.
Best for Snowboarders: Osprey Sopris 30L
Key Features
- Materials: 210D High Tenacity Nylon with PFC-free DWR
- Weight: 38.8 ounces
- Sizes: S-M, M-L
- Dedicated Pocket for Safety Tools: Yes
- Goggle Pocket: Yes
- Hipbelt Pockets: One on the left aspect
- Helmet Holder: Yes
- Hydration System Compatible: Yes
- Back panel zipper for simple entry
- A-frame carry skis or splitboard
- Horizontally or vertically carry a snowboard
Pros
- Dual-position helmet carry
- Secure ice software carry sleeve and attachment level
- Adjustable sternum strap with security whistle
Cons
- Only entry to important compartment by way of again panel zipper
The Sopris is a technical backpack designed for touring. The thick and sturdy materials sheds snow and reduces ice buildup. It additionally gives a secure match, load lifters, and compression straps. However it does really feel a bit cumbersome, particularly when it’s not full and there’s no hydration tube insulation. The twin helmet carry positions are useful, particularly when carrying a snowboard vertically. The solely method into the principle compartment is thru the again panel which could be a headache, however in case you have a loaded pack or are sitting on the elevate, that is the way you’ll probably entry the principle space anyway.
Best Feature: Gregory Targhee FastTrack 24L
Key Features
- Materials: 100D excessive density nylon and 210D excessive density nylon. The lining is 40 % post-consumer recycled 135D polyester.
- Weight: 42.4 ounces
- Sizes: S-M, M-L
- Dedicated Pocket for Safety Tools: Yes
- Goggle Pocket: Yes
- Hipbelt Pockets: One zippered pocket on the left
- Helmet Holder: Yes
- Hydration System Compatible: Yes
- FastTrack ski carry friction hook system means that you can stow skis with out eradicating your pack
Pros
- Dual layer backside panel for added sturdiness
- Anodized aluminum {hardware} for perform within the chilly
- Removable sternum strap with security whistle
- Lightweight mode
- Tool blade for ice ax
Cons
The Targhee FastTrack’s primary draw is the FastTrack know-how that permits the consumer to mount and dismount skis with out taking off the pack. The design is ingeniously easy. Be warned that you’ll have to carry each skis on one aspect of the pack to make use of the FastTrack lanyard. Essentially an elasticized webbing hooked up to the correct shoulder will wrap round your skis, hold them in place, and safe to your left shoulder strap. The skis are taught to the aspect of the pack with a straightforward launch loop prepared for dismount. If you’re doing a whole lot of boot packing then this bag will shave day without work your transitions and also you don’t should set your bag within the snow to unload your skis.
This pack is on the heavier aspect with seemingly pointless additions akin to a big zippered pocket for the helmet hammock that can stay unzipped and unusable whereas carrying a helmet. There are toggles and a protected choose sleeve for attaching an ice ax, which though secure, would do exactly positive with one or the opposite. There is a light-weight mode however you’ll lose your hipbelts and body sheet (stabilizing again panel) to get there.
There is just one entry level to the principle compartment which is the highest zipper. Granted, the ski mount technique related to this backpack means that you can entry the principle pocket with skis loaded so that you received’t technically want a again panel zipper. The important zipper initially offers entry to avalanche instruments after which a drawstring contained sack is the principle compartment. One odd element is that the principle zipper has a niche in it the place the observe stops on the prime of the pack. This hole is protected by a flap to discourage the weather from falling into your pack. It is designed to permit for simple gloved entry to your security instruments, however I might a lot desire my bag shut utterly. This design additionally stops the consumer from working the twin zipper system to its full benefits. Instead, the one approach to “close” this pack is by zipping each zippers to the center till they hit the stopping level. It’s value noting that the zipper is robust sufficient to remain closed even whereas loaded with out slowly unzipping, for now.
Best for Hydration: CamelBak Sno Blast 22
Key Features
- Materials: Snow Shield materials sheds snow and retains pack dry all day
- Weight: 36 ounces
- Sizes: S-M, M-L
- Dedicated Pocket for Safety Tools: Yes
- Goggle Pocket: Yes
- Hipbelt Pockets: No
- Helmet Holder: Yes
- Hydration System Compatible: Yes
- Tri-zip entry with a again panel zipper
- A-frame or vertically carry skis or snowboard
Pros
- 2-liter Crux reservoir with the Therminator harness that retains hose insulated
- Lift entry QR harness
Cons
I took this pack mountaineering by way of a slot canyon and ski touring. It carried out properly in each places. The materials wasn’t broken or scratched after climbing by way of slender rock partitions. The tri-zipper is the perfect entry of all the finest winter backpacks. And though it doesn’t have an exterior helmet hammock, my helmet match simply positive contained in the backpack with the remainder of my provides. There are exterior attachment factors that allow you to strap on further gear however you’ll in all probability want further straps except you’re keen to make use of your compression straps. The bag additionally has a zipper that can develop or compress the pack relying on how a lot gear you want.
The Sno Blast comes with a 2-liter hydration reservoir and an insulated hose. This matches properly right into a pocket alongside the shoulder strap to maintain your water from freezing within the hose throughout gentle winter circumstances. This bag is especially resort pleasant as a result of the QR harness options rip cords on every shoulder strap that permit you to rapidly loosen the bag fully if it had been to get caught on a elevate or different impediment.
Best for a Full Day: Patagonia SnowDrifter 30L
Key Features
- Materials: 100% recycled 6.4-ounce 420D nylon for puncture and abrasion resistance with a PU coating and a DWR end
- Weight: 42 ounces
- Sizes: S-M, L-XL
- Dedicated Pocket for Safety Tools: Yes
- Goggle Pocket: Yes
- Hipbelt Pockets: Yes
- Helmet Holder: Yes
- Hydration System Compatible: Yes
- Diagonal, A-frame, and centered carry choices for skis and snowboard
- Back panel zipper for simple entry
Pros
Cons
- No hydration hose insulation
Patagoina’s SnowDrifter is a cavernous bag with loads of room for an intensive load. It has hipbelt pockets, backpanel entry and a important zipper to the most important pocket, a googles pocket, and a separate avy package pocket with straps. It additionally has a stow-away helmet holder and straps for mounting skis, boards, or different instruments. If you might want to load up considered one of these winter backpacks, this might be the one. Spacious with tons of straps, it may deal with a extremely technical day journey.
Best for Hunting: ExPed Serac 35
Key Features
- Materials: PFC-free waterproof rip-stop Nylon with a water column of 10,000 mm, taped seams, and weatherproof zippers thrust back moisture and snow
- Weight: 29.8 ounces
- Sizes: S, M, L
- Dedicated Pocket for Safety Tools: Yes
- Goggle Pocket: No
- Hipbelt Pockets: No
- Helmet Holder: No
- Hydration System Compatible: No
- Back panel zipper for simple entry
- Diagonal carry skis
Pros
- Weatherproof important compartment with roll-top closure
- White inside for fast overview of contents
Cons
- No hipbelt pockets
- Not hydration system appropriate
- No helmet holder
The important draw of this winter backpack is that it’s nearly a dry bag. The aspect zippered entry into the spacious important compartment is the one motive it isn’t technically waterproof when submerged. But except for a full dip, your gear goes to remain dry on this bag. The Serac has a weatherproof entrance zippered pocket for fast entry to avalanche gear however there are not any designated inside pockets for particular instruments. Its minimalist design options two daisy chains on the again for any tools you may want. I took this bag duck searching the place it sat in moist, muddy, and freezing circumstances with no penalties.
The materials is sturdy and I totally abused it by way of an airport and scouting for deer. This would even be an awesome bag for mountaineering, climbing, or canyoneering because of its weatherproofing, slim profile, and frivolously padded again. There is a detachable hip belt with no pudding or pockets that connects by way of two modern steel “buckles” that don’t truly have interaction however merely slip by way of one another. This does lower the chance of snow or ice freezing right into a plastic buckle and inflicting points.
Best for Resort Riding: Black Diamond Dawn Patrol 25L
Key Features
- Materials: 100% post-consumer recycled 840D Polyester and 210D Ripstop Nylon
- Weight: 41 ounces
- Sizes: S-M, M-L
- Dedicated Pocket for Safety Tools: Yes
- Goggle Pocket: Yes
- Hipbelt Pockets: Yes
- Helmet Holder: Yes
- Hydration System Compatible: Yes
- Exterior attachment factors accommodate skis, snowboards, helmet, and ice ax
Pros
- Hydration hose or radio wire insulated shoulder pocket
- Hi-Lo helmet hammock for 2 potential helmet storage choices
- Rubber loops beneath entrance straps for added grip when carrying skis or boards
- Ice ax pocket
Cons
- Main pocket is barely accessible from again panel zipper
- Buckles and strap changes aren’t instinctual
While the bag is form-fitting, the dearth of load lifter straps doesn’t give this winter backpack the identical body-hugging match because the Powabunga. I did benefit from the massive hip-belt pockets constructed to retailer skins for the downhill. The buckles are designed to be glove pleasant they usually do work, however it’s important to get used to unlocking every buckle earlier than tightening or loosening any straps. This pack’s hipbelt additionally shares the steel slip-through buckle system because the Serac. Like the Sopris, the Dawn Patrol’s solely entry to the principle compartment is thru the again panel. Annoying when packing or stowing you bag in a locker, however whereas snowboarding it’s positive.
What To Look For In the Best Winter Backpacks
Safety
Recreating within the backcountry, the place avalanche hazard is prevalent, means it’s best to have a probe and shovel in your pack always. Many of the baggage on this record comprise a particular compartment for these things. These pockets ought to make figuring out, accessing, and deploying your instruments as simple as potential within the occasion of an emergency. Choose a bag with considered one of these specialised compartments in the event you plan to tour or snowshoe within the backcountry.
Weather Resistant
The very last thing you need is to your heat, dry layers to get moist simply sitting in your pack. The finest winter backpacks needs to be waterproof and shed snow as a substitute of accumulating it. Polyester and nylon resist water, and a few are coated in Durable Water Repellent (DWR). Some are PFC-free which implies they don’t use chemical substances dangerous to the atmosphere of their water repellent end.
Gear Organization
It’s chilly, you will have gloves on, and possibly you don’t need to let extra snow into your pack than completely crucial. So if you dive into your bag for an additional layer, a snack, or a software, group is vital. If it’s important to dig into your bag on the elevate, you additionally received’t need to drop something. Pockets for necessities, easy-access zippers, and glove-friendly {hardware} are going to make your life a lot simpler within the winter months.
Most winter baggage have both a again panel zipper, further entry factors to the principle pocket, or each. This means that you can get at your gear on the elevate or even when your pack is loaded with out taking skis off. The again panels additionally permit you to put your bag on the snowy floor to unpack with out getting the again of your pack moist. Depending on the exercise, you may want crampons, an ice ax, rope, a harness, or snowshoes to finish a mission and your pack ought to present the required options to retailer these specialty instruments.
Hydration System Compatible
It’s arduous sufficient to hydrate within the winter with out digging by way of your pack for a frozen water bottle. I desire to verify my bag has an inside hydration sleeve or a common buckle hanging system and a hydration port for my bladder. This retains my bladder near my physique for heat, and with an insulated hose or designated hose pocket permits you to drink water with out taking off your pack. Admittedly these insulation strategies work finest in gentle temperatures, however a straightforward trick is to blow air again by way of your hose, so your mouthpiece doesn’t freeze.
FAQs
Q: What is a winter backpack?
A winter backpack is particularly designed for snowy and chilly circumstances. Typically they’ll embrace a delegated area for avalanche security instruments, hold your gear dryer than a summer season pack, and have extra room for further layers and provides.
Q: How do you connect skis to a backpack?
You can connect skis to a backpack in quite a lot of methods: diagonally, vertically, horizontally, and A-frame. The finest winter backpacks could have the required attachment factors to accommodate most ski and snowboard carry positions. The Gregory Targhee FastTrack has its personal technique to connect skis or a splitboard with out taking off the pack, however the remainder have loops and/or straps to permit for a number of carry strategies.
For diagonal, vertical, and A-frame, you’ll want to verify a strap or loop is taught beneath the binding of your ski in order that if you’re standing, the binding can relaxation on this strap. To A-frame carry your skis or splitboard, you’ll want a voile strap to repair the information collectively whereas attaching every ski to a aspect of the pack. The horizontal technique means strapping your skis to the highest of your pack. Snowboarders may slide their board between your again and pack and thru the straps for brief hikes.
Q: What do you have to convey winter mountaineering?
Recreating in winter can have dire penalties for the ill-prepared. If you get misplaced mountaineering in the summertime and should spend the evening exterior, you’ll probably be OK. When temperatures drop, an surprising in a single day may very well be deadly. Bring water that isn’t frozen, extra snacks than you assume you want (you burn extra energy exercising in winter), further heat layers, navigation instruments, and micro-spikes for frozen terrain. To be ready for the worst, contemplate a hearth starter, emergency blanket, and private locator beacon or satellite tv for pc communicator.
Final Thoughts on the Best Winter Backpacks
The finest winter backpacks merge security and weatherproofing with streamlined options and loads of storage choices. Depending in your intentions to your new pack, this record has an possibility for any one-day winter tour. The finest for mountaineering is perhaps the Camelbak SnoBlast for its stellar hydration system or the Rossignol Escaper Tour for its versatility. The finest for touring may very well be the Ortovox Free Rider or the Gregory Targhee FastTrack for skiers and cut up boarders trying to lap earlier than work.