Backcountry Access  Float 32 Avalanche Airbag Pack

In my opinion, this pack is pretty much the best compromise of comfort, price, airbag action and ease of finding places to reload the compressed air tank. The airbag function is smooth and reliable, the 32 L capacity is more than I need for single-day backcountry, but even when only partially filled, the pack keeps things nicely in place and I haven't felt much jostling. Conversely, the space is also sufficient for me on 2-3 day trips (if only just), and this lets me have only one pack for nearly all of my backcountry trips. The pack fits my back quite nicely (I'm 6'3", 190 lbs), and stays in place very nicely on my back through the motions of both up and downhill movements. I'm a skier and when I'm bootpacking, I mount my skis diagonally across the pack. I find that they stay relatively seated with minimal shifting while I hike, but strong wind does lead to some bouncing. The shipping from REI will require a signature for delivery, which was incredibly frustrating for me. No one thought to tell me that I would need to be present for the delivery (I ordered the pack from the service desk at an REI to be delivered to my house). If I had known, I would have ordered the bag for pickup at the store, because I have a job that prevents me from being home during UPS delivery hours in my area.

I got the Float 32 in the middle of this season and couldn't be more pleased with it. At first, the high volume was a concern, but the ergonomic fit and light weight makes it a non-issue. Plenty of room for food, skins, water, a layer, plus an emergency kit as well as all the standard avalanche tools. I've spent days with the ABS, Black Diamond and Mammut airbag packs and this one is my favorite. The fit, functionality and weight make it the best airbag on the market in my opinion. O ya, and the airbag deployment is flawless and could save your life.

I have the float 22 also for short backcountry hops, and it is also a great pack. When you need a bit more capacity, the float 32 also has 2 main separate compartments, and holds your skis/split halves on either side nicely, although I plan to put small bungee cords to better secure my split halves, and give more security to attach the board with the halves attached. The attachment options could be a little better, but not hard to customize with straps/ and/or small bungee cords. This pack holds quite a bit, and I was surprised how much gear I can get in there! I am gearing up to summit mount Shasta this year, weather permitting, and this pack actually is BARELY enough to haul everything I need for an overnighter (or 2 or 3). I'll list the items I can get in there! I'm pretty happy with it, although I am looking for a 45 liter airbag pack, or larger for longer missions. I will say that the 32 liter makes you keep it realistic about how much weight you really want to be carrying, and the size is the largest non-restrictive size for riding with a backpack on. The pocket on the hip strap is very nice, holds an avalanche transceiver or camera, and would be nice if there were 2 of them instead of just one on the right side. More small pockets on the pack would also be nice so you are not forced to open your pack when it's snowing, and help keep organized. My gear list: North Face Assault 2, minus the vestibule (it is barely possible to take it also, but you lose valuable space and gain weight for a marginally necessary vestibule) COOL TENT! needs snow anchors. CAMP light weight ice ax with leash and carabiner. Micro crampons for boots Karakoram splitboard crampons Tracker 2 av transceiver BCA probe and shovel MSR reactor mountaineering stove and gas canister small sleeping bag (my North Face thermo ball vest and hoody jackets keep you very warm inside of even a very small sleeping bag, and take up almost zero space. The thermo ball jackets are also VERY light, and can get wet and still keep you warm unlike down.) camelback, or other brand water bag. It is nice how the airbag trigger can be moved to either left or right strap, and the water spout on the other. Gecko climbing skins (these skins absolutely RULE!!) They REALLY need to be customized with Black Diamond tip loops instead of the ridiculous gecko tips, and REALLY need the Spark R & D tail clips, and the Black Diamond elastic straps. These skins grip VERY well, and stick extremely well, especially considering they are NOT glue skins! They come off easily, yet stick VERY well. With the tip and tail clips and elastics, they DEFINITELY will not come off, or get ice or snow in-between. Black Diamond collapsable ski poles. Freeze dried camping food, granola, etc. Big Agnes inflate-able mattress. There is not room for a non-inflatable mattress, so you just have to risk getting a hole in it. This pack is not large enough for more intense mountaineering missions that require more gear. That will be a pretty tight squeeze, but it does in fact hold all of those things. Another option is to use this, or the 22 liter pack as a summit pack just for riding, and use a larger Gregory mountaineering pack, or the Baltoro 75 to haul up all the gear you need to base camp with the 22 liter attached to the outside, or inside of the Gregory pack. For the money, you really can't beat the BCA float 32. On sale, it REALLY can't be beat! I've seen videos of people that simply lost their footing, or where swept away by sluff on the ascension before they even started skiing or riding that deployed the airbag and clearly saved the day. Ever been stuck in a spot that scares the living heck out of you, and been forced to jump? I'd have deployed the airbag for that when that has happened to me in the past. Airbags are becoming the norm for back country. Yes they are worth it! It doesn't seem to be a pass to do anything stupid or more brave for me. I'm just as careful out there as I was before, but feel a bit safer.

I picked up one of these as it fits well, is a proven design, and it carries all my stuff for a day tour.