Details of the Dakine Pro II Pack

After rocking the past few seasons with the popular Heli Pro model, I always seemed to find myself wishing I had a little extra room available to stuff in some of those optional items that may make or break a trip. Although from the outside it’s not completely noticeable, the Pro II squeezes in an extra 300 cubic inches for a total volume of 1550 cubic inches.

The large snow tool pocket, accessed from the front of the pack, comes complete with plenty of room for the shovel blade, while allowing additional free space and mini pockets for other items. Functional features of the snow tool pocket include a probe holster and seat cushion. Once the shovel pocket is removed, it unfolds to create a padded seat cushion- perfect for that mid-day lunch break. Two additional smaller pockets are located adjacent to the shovel insert.

Exterior features of the DAKINE Pro II include a quick draw ice axe/shovel handle holster which provides speedy turnaround when seconds are crucial. A diagonal ski carry (cross or vertical for snowboards) provides easy, yet quick assembly. An added amenity is a zippered waist belt that can easily accommodate most digital cameras, small snacks, or other small tools. To assist with maintaining an unfrozen water bladder spout, DAKINE has also included a hydro sleeve.

Dakine Pro II Pack Review

Once I got familiar with the new pack, it was off to challenge its durability in one of the world’s most unforgiving environments. I knew the conditions in Las Lenas, Argentina, would really put the pack through the ringer. With brutal gale force winds, all forms of precipitation from rain/sleet to dry cold powder snow, it was the perfect locale to test the functionality and potential limits of the Pro II.

The weeks spent last summer in Las Lenas consisted of long one-day tours outside the resort boundary. The many added pockets in the newer version became handy and assisted in making each tour run more smoothly, especially the snow tool pocket. Extra padding for the shovel blade can be used as a seat meanwhile plenty of room exists for a pair of skins, probe, blade, and a few other touring essentials. What also makes this feature user friendly is the easy access it provides to gear required during an emergency.

The backpack itself is rather waterproof and holds up well in the weather. I kept an extra pair of gloves and socks inside the larger pocket without any wet incidents. Additional padding that virtually insulates any Camelback bladder helps keep the majority of the space dry- although if your bladder is prone to any leakage, it eventually finds its way through to the bottom core.

The weight (3.3 lbs) of this pack with a comfortable frame allowed the pack to mold against my body, allowing more freedom of movement. DaKine could decrease the weight of the pack by limiting the excess strapping but it didn’t seem to slow me down. The only exception to this is when the diagonal ski carry function is utilized- which can place a little strain on the left shoulder for those long hikes. It also made a few sections maneuvering around rock bands a bit more technical as opposed to having a vertical carry option.

When looping skis in the diagonal carry, it became a relatively quick and efficient process. Skis with larger tail twin tips such as a Volkl Gotama will need to be placed through the loop one at a time. Those tails with less profile make for a quicker fit, but nothing a few extra seconds won’t cure for the big guns.

As for durability, I discovered one shortcoming. With only a few days of wear and tear, it was unusual but not completely unexpected to notice some surface erosion from the diagonal ski carry. The drawback here is the lifetime of the backpack suffers from the constant etching from sharp ski edges coming in contact with the material separating the shovel blade from the outside of the pack. This is something I’ve found that limits the use of these kinds of packs to about two seasons. Eventually the nylon fabric gets worn down to the point it can easily tear.

Although the pack is more spacious than its predecessor, using a full bladder still limits the amount of gear you can carry effectively. At maximum capacity, I had a shovel, probe, crampons, skins, a small first aid kit, a few snack items, one extra pair each of socks, gloves and goggles, and a light breathable dry clothing layer. With this much stuff, it definitely maximized the capacity for a one day tour. Although the exterior zippered waist pocket was designed with digital cameras in mind- I found it very useful for quick grab items such as a compass, sunglasses, and snacks.

The Bottom Line: Dakine Pro II Pack

The Dakine Pro II performs up there with the best. With each evolution of the DAKINE products, I get a more favorable view. This particular pack fits my body most comfortably without becoming a hindrance and provides just enough functions and accessories to efficiently execute a full backcountry tour.

Using a diagonal ski carry comes with both its positive and negative aspects, but I’ve grown more accustomed to them in that position, though it would be nice to have the option of a vertical A-frame carry for skis.

If you’re length of backcountry trips are primarily one day or resort accessed, I would highly recommend the quality and functionality of the DAKINE Pro II model. Although there are some drawbacks, the positive elements far outweigh the criticism. For those looking for lift accessed backcountry and short day trips, this is definitely an item worth checking out.

This innovative method of insulating the tube from freezing also protects the bite-valve from getting dirty. How many times have you set down your pack only to take a swig from a dirt-covered bite-valve? Let me tell you… this feature is awesome by itself.

The Stash pack is aimed at resort yo-yo’s and quick jaunts into the backcountry. It’s small… very small, but all the necessities fit into it quite nicely. In keeping with the svelte design, the Stash pack is lightweight since it lacks any true suspension design. There are no aluminum or plastic stays to steady the load. But, why would you need such unnecessary weight with such a small pack. It serves its purpose well.

In the Backcountry

The Backcountry Access Stash Pack is small, but everything you need fits right in there. The only issue I had was getting the shovel handle to fit inside the pack. I have a Voile full-size aluminum shovel with a “D-shaped” grip. Because of that, the handle is a couple of inches longer than a “T-shaped” grip. I finally had to swap out shovels with Kendall to get it to fit–otherwise the handle would stick out of the pack.

Included with the pack are two straps which have rubber grippers on them to keep items in place. This worked great for stashing an extra layer while skinning or lashing some extra gear onto the pack. Because the straps can be positioned on the top, side or bottom of the pack, you can use the same straps to carry a shovel handle, probe, rope or an extra jacket.

Included with the Stash Pack is a nicely designed hydration bladder and insulated hose. I skied the Stash pack on a stormy day at Snowbird Resort–it was cold and windy. Actually, it was the coldest day I’d skied all season. When I wanted to take a sip of water, it was always liquid. How nice is that? The liquids stay liquid with the Stash pack!

The Stash Pack can carry skis, though it’s not well-suited for extended hiking. Short, quick hikes should be just fine, though the included straps don’t seem as beefy as they should be to shoulder the load of cross-carrying your sticks. And, there is no built-in bottom loop at the base of the pack to insert your skis like the Stash BC. The pack also includes a small inside mesh pocket to store little things like keys and a couple of energy bars.

My only gripe with the Stash Pack was that the waistbelt hit me right in the gut. I couldn’t tighten it up or I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I don’t have a particularly long torso, but it just hit me in the wrong place, so I couldn’t cinch it down like I wanted to.

The Bottom Line on the BCA Stash Pack

The Stash Pack is a great pack for short, quick trips in the backcountry. It’s minimalistic approach is great for weight weenies, but the lack of stays does limit its usage. This is a great pack for quick backcountry trips, resort backcountry laps or as a dedicated resort pack.

What really shines on the Stash Pack is the insulated tube and insulating garage to keep the tube out of the way and warm. With other packs, sometimes the tube and bite-valve would flop around or get in the way, but since it’s tucked neatly away in the left shoulder strap, it never flopped around and was always conveniently ready for the next swig.

Other nice features are the use of waterproof zippers to reduce some bulk and make it easier to zip open and closed. Since there’s nothing for the zipper to snag on, getting in and out of the pack and the hydration tube was easy. Overall, it’s a great pack for its intended purpose–quick trips in the backcountry.

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My initial thought upon seeing the Stash BC was that this could be the perfect pack for day trips into the backcountry. After a few days of use I began to think that I wasn’t too far off in my initial assessment. With 2400 cu inches of capacity, it’ll carry all you need for a long day of skiing. Despite the large carrying capacity, I used it for a day of resort yo-yoing and found that it’ll carry just the essentials and compress down quite well unlike other bulky packs.

Special Features

The attention to detail and the many features are what set this pack apart from the rest of the crowd. The obvious is the integrated hydration tube in the shoulder strap. Body heat and insulation keep the water flowin’ even in the burliest winter storm. Because the hydration tube is integrated into the shoulder strap, the shoulder straps are connected so the load is distributed across the top of your back. This keeps the load from straining your shoulders, which you’ll be thankful for at the end of a long day of ski touring.

There are two options for carrying your skis: Cross-carry them using the large loop (yellow/black) or affix your skis using the old school yet proven A-frame style. For either method, use the rubber/cordura straps seen on either side of the top of the pack. They were big enough to hold my Monsters which are 120+ in the tip. The added bonus is that you can roll up your shell and affix it to the top of the pack using these straps. Or pull them out, feed them through a loop on the daisy chains seen on the front of the pack and you can affix extra gear, like and ice axe, to the outside of the pack. But chances are if you need to affix extra gear, you’ve got too much stuff for a day trip.

There are two gear pockets for accessories and essentials. One small exterior pocket will hold a Clif bar, pocketknife, TP and some sun screen. The larger interior gear pocket is built inside the main pocket in the approximate location where the shovel blade will curve to utilize that space. It’s ample size. Inside the main compartment is a nylon sleeve set to one side which will keep your probe and shovel handle from bouncing around the pack. Although the shape of this sleeve is tapered I was even able to fit my skins in it during the descents.

The zippers on the shoulder strap (for the hydration tube access), the main compartment, and the exterior gear pocket are all waterproof zippers. Not only is this stylie but effective as it shaves a bit of weight from the unneeded zipper flap. Often overlooked, the zipper pulls seem to be bomber enough to last for years…which you’ll appreciate only if you’ve had some break or disappear on your pack or jacket.

The one feature that I wasn’t too stoked about was how tight my shovel blade was as I put it in or took it out of the shovel pocket. Accessed from the side, the opening was a bit tight for easy access to the shovel. Once I managed to squeeze it in, it fit like a glove. I use a regular sized Voile shovel. I’m thinking a smaller bladed Life Link or Ortovox shovel would fit in and out with ease. Granted it isn’t often that one needs to quickly access the shovel, but were it an avie situation I don’t think the extra time trying to pry my shovel blade out of the pack would help the already tense situation.

The Bottom Line on the Backcountry Access Stash BC Pack

Built specifically for day trips into the BC, the Stash BC surely lives up to its name. While skiing it carried like a dream, even on long 2000′ technical descents. It’s streamlined construction and suspension system made me forget I had a pack on while skiing. On the uphill, weather hiking or skinning, it shined. The ample storage space was great for shedding layers or for toting along a small rope or extra layers should the conditions dictate.

The fabric is a combination of strong cordura and reinforced ripstop nylon with rubber reinforced areas where ski edges would normally create some air conditioning vents. I didn’t worry about tree branches tearing the strong materials. Chances are this pack could outlast the rest of my gear.

Overall, I think I’ll be hard pressed to find such an all encompassing ski pack that shines on day trips but will hold it’s own (if you must use it) in a resort yo-yo scenario.

If you are looking for a mid sized ski pack that will keep your water in liquid form, is well designed and has a bundle of great features, drop some coin now and get yourself the BCA Stash BC.

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Camera Compartment

When opened, the pack looks very similar to most photo packs of its size with removable 1/4″ foam dividers secured in place by velcro. The 3 rows of camera compartment are divided by 2 main foam dividers spanning 12″ top to bottom with removable 1/4″ foam divider pieces that secure into place with velcro. Each row of storage space is approximately 3″ wide for a total of 2,200 cubic inches of storage space.

The camera compartment can be divided up just about any way you can think of to suit your needs for that day of shooting photos or video. The basic setup would be with your primary SLR camera body and longest lens attatched with the camera body at the top of the pack with the lens pointing down. To each side of the main storage row is room for (3) 35mm leses up to 4.5″ tall. I have mine configured to hold my flash and one lens on one side and on the other side, one lens, a tele converter and extension tubes.

This pack opens from the back unlike most photo packs to allow for easier access to your photo gear if you have a shovel, probe, or snowboard strapped to the outside of your pack. The access flap to the camera compartment is padded very well for a comfortable fit and to protect your gear. On the inside of this flap are two large pockets enclosed with clear plastic so nothing can hide from you. These pockets are thin, meant for things like batteries, cables, filters, buisness cards, Mini DV tapes, etc. Each of the two pockets are 7″ wide and 6″ tall. To top it off there is a secondary interior cover (a flap made of the same water-repellent nylon) that you can use to keep out snow, dust, and water out of your camera while you change lenses!

Exterior Storage

The outside of this pack also provides lots of functional storage. The outside face of this pack has a carrying pockets for a collapsable shovel with 2 straps to carry a tripod or to vertically carry skis or a snowboard. The two other elastic straps work perfectly to carry a probe or a monopod and can be cinched down tight to keep your gear on your back.

On both sides there are pockets for (3) rolls of film per pocket. Above the left side is a pocket perfectly sized for a nice quenching can of PBR or whatever else you may desire that would fit in a space the size of an 8oz. beverage can. On the other side is a mesh pocket with an elastic top cinch down a water bottle.

The top of this pack has yet another pocket measuring 5″ tall by 5″ deep by 10″ wide. Inside this pocket is a mesh pocket to hold your keys, wallet, and anything else you might want to bring for the day that you want to be secured here. I store my wireless flash remotes, sunscreen, talkabouts, and snacks in this pocket.

Carrying Straps

Finally, the straps have the same 1/4″ dense foam padding with a nylon loop and plastic D-ring on each strap. A waist strap and elastic chest strap make this pack stick to your back while riding.

– Erik Seo – FeedTheHabit.com Correspondent

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The SlidePack (formerly known as the SwitchPack) is built for day trips into the backcountry but can even be used for resort yo-yoing. I didn’t think that it would hold up for a LONG day trip, particularly on my hut trip in the Tetons, but I was pleasantly surprised. Weighing in at only 2lbs 4oz, it was a great pack for long days in the backcountry. I didn’t take notice that it boasts a mere 1200 cu inches of volume until analyzing the specs for this review. “No way, just 1200 cu inches?” I thought. Indeed, I had a lot of gear along on my tours for only 1200 cu inches of space. Let’s see, on a typical day during my hut trip I had:

• Shovel, probe, small snow science kit
• Small first aid supplies with extra hand warmers, glove liners and a space blanket
• 70 oz. camelbak bladder
• 1 Nalgene bottle (1 liter) with insulating sleeve
• Marmot windshirt
• Lunch (usually Mountain House granola, cheese, an orange, crackers, trail mix, etc)
• Power food: Clif bar or two, Clif shot or two
• Leatherman
• Goggles & neck gaiter
• Head lamp, spare batteries, sunscreen, lip balm, small repair kit (duct tape, wire, pole basket, ski strap, etc)
• Digital camera

Of course I had my skins along, but fortunately for me my Gore-tex shell has two very large vent pockets, which I like to use for storage of my skins while descending. I think I could have forced them into the shovel pocket with the shovel if I really needed to store them in the pack. BUT, for only 1200 cu in I was able to haul a fair amount of gear knowing that I was in the Tetons and would be a good distance from the hut at any point in the day.

Sure this pack has 4 pockets for gear storage, but it’s the features within the pockets that are the real deal. As with most packs these days, the SlidePack has internal storage for the probe and shovel handle so you’re not fighting these things every time you dig into the pack. The cool thing is there are 2 small 6″ tall sleeve inserts on the bottom of the main compartment (one on each side) and a shock cord with a sliding cinch to attach to the top of the probe or shovel handle. Why is this so cool? Saves weight by not having a full sleeve. Another similar example is the integration of the bottom ski slots (for A-Frame style carrying) into the snowboard carry strap which also acts as a compression strap for the pack. (See above photo) There are multiple examples of this kind of thoughtful design throughout the pack. This pack wasn’t just thrown together because BD needed another item to sell or to fill the product line. It was designed with a number of specific needs in mind.

In The Backcountry

The pack can be a bit short for the taller torso folks like myself. I had to do some additional adjusting for it to ride comfortably and in the right spot. Once I got it dialed, it fit like a glove. Its streamline and sleek design rides quite well going uphill or down.

The suspension system is merely a padded center with mesh fabric and another 1/4″ foam insert that covers the entire back. It was adequate for the pack’s size. Incidentally, this foam piece can be pulled out and substitutes as a nice seat insulator when we stopped for lunch high on a ridge one day. The shoulder straps have elastic loops to keep the hydration tube in place.

The exterior gear pocket is protected by a waterproof zipper, providing easy access to sunscreen, a Clif bar, or other small items. A larger gear pocket is accessed inside the main compartment. I think the zipper placement should be a bit lower on this pocket and as well the pocket should be adjusted down a bit to fit precisely in the curvature of the shovel. The way it sits the opening interferes somewhat with the top of the shovel where the shovel arm inserts into the blade.

The shovel pocket flap adequately covers the pocket with just the shovel inside, but when I stuffed my gloves, hat and goggles in as well, the flap wasn’t large enough to fully cover these items. As a result, snow found it’s way into the shovel pocket and into my gloves. The flap should be extended a minimum of 1″ longer.

The A-Frame carry system is not my preferred method to carry skis when hiking. However, the SlidePack was built to accommodate all widths of skis, even my Head Monster 85. The upper straps are simple cordura straps. One cool thing about the upper straps is the placement. They were high enough on the pack to strap the binding toe piece, but I was also able to roll my gortex shell up and strap it over the top of the pack, securing it using the top A-frame straps. I’m not sure if this was a designed use, but it worked well for me when I didn’t need the shell but wanted it very handy while skinning uphill.

The Scoop

Despite my high standards and the couple things I have noted here which should be addressed, we here at FeedTheHabit.com feel that this pack is the goods! Fit well, rode well, ample gear storage without the bulk, multiple storage pockets and a weight saving design. The best part about this pack is the price, only $78.50. Sounds too good to be true.

If you are looking for a lightweight simple day pack primarily for backcountry use with a small dose of resort riding that won’t break your wallet’s back, look no further than the SlidePack.

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