SB 40L

The best piece of avalanche safety equipment is the one you’ll use

I have for many years waffled on airbags; I’m a total believer that they do reduce mortality in avalanche accidents, but I’ve struggled to find them delivered in bags that are well-designed and user friendly. I find mine often gathering dust on big days when I need the extra space (or weight savings) for food, layers, water, or first aid kit; all the other stuff that also keeps me safe in the mountains. I think Safeback/Raide changes that; while this is not an airbag, the data supporting its efficacy is extremely compelling (to me, an emergency physician), and when you put it in a pack that I enjoy using day in and day out, this is a no-brainer. First days out this season have already been a success, and this bag will be on my pack for everything but multiway traverses this winter and spring, and years to come

Well designed , well constructed ski touring pack

To get right to the point - this is the best ski touring pack I’ve ever used , and it’s not even close . Every feature is well thought out and intuitive to use - I took this pack on a weeklong trip for its maiden voyage , and it worked flawlessly . The pack carries easier than any other pack I’ve used previously. I tend to overpack as a sar member and this pack has plenty of room for all of it . The safe back feature is well integrated into the pack and is easy to take in and out. It takes up almost no room at all . I saw a presentation from one of the safe back guys and it was impressive enough that we bought these packs for our staff as a Christmas present . Overall I am extremely impressed with the quality of this pack.

Stoked on the 40L

I’ve put in 25 days of use with this pack, and it’s been fantastic. Initially, I was torn between the 30L and 40L versions but opted for the 40L, and I’m stoked on the decision. The extra space, combined with the versatility of the roll-top design, makes it incredibly practical. The roll-top allows me to compartmentalize my gear, making transitions during tours super quick and efficient. I’d highly recommend going with the 40L for this feature alone—it offers flexibility without feeling bulky. The dedicated access for the probe and shovel is spot-on: easy to reach, well-organized, and completely unobtrusive when accessing the main compartment. The SB system is sleek and stays out of the way. You’ll notice it slightly when using the quick-access back zipper, but it’s a minor inconvenience and doesn’t impact overall functionality. Just practice deactiving it a few times (when installed) as I have pulled the cord during transition and needed to turn it off.