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Author	Message
Sandy Paterson	Thursday 25 August 2011 3:17:30 pm Hi Andy I am going to get an airbag rucksack for the coming winter but can not decide between the ABS or the Snow Pulse, I was wondering if you had any thoughts on these. I have put below what pro's and con's I have found so far. Thanks Sandy ABS Pros: - The vario system seesm good as you can change the bag sizes depening on what you are doing - 2 air bags either side so if on gets punctured/does not work you have the other one - Air bags are easier to re fold after use Cons: - No real head and neck protection - Canisters can be a pain to take on planes (although they should not be some airlines don't like them) - The actual rucksack does not seem great although I have only see video footage not had a play with one. Snow Pluse: Pro's: - Good head and neck protection - Nice rucksack (40L) - Easy to transport canisters and get them refilled Con's: - Only one air bag so if it malfunctions no back up - Difficult to re pack Sandy Paterson
Andy Perkins	Friday 26 August 2011 7:33:42 am Hi Sandy I've been using an ABS for the past 2 years. I bought a back system with a steel bottle and the 30 and 50 litre packs to zip on. I upgraded to the carbon bottle last year and that saves about 200 grams if I recall correctly. My experience has been as follows: It's heavy - compared to any other ski pack. If I think the avalanche risk is negligible (eg standard Vallée Blanche on a category 2 day, I don't use it) The 50 litre pack is way too big for hut to hut ski touring. It flops all over the place and looks awful. The 30 litre pack is just a bit too small. I can get away with it by giving almost all the group kit to clients (which is standard practice among guides on ski tours) and strapping spare clothing on the outside on hot days. Even so, getting the shovel blade in and out of the pocket can be very tricky and the zip is showing signs of wear as a result. I've never flown with the canister so can't comment on the logistics involved. I've never had to set it off and/or repack it. The reason I chose the ABS is that I tried the Snowpulse on and the carry felt terrible. Because the airbags are in the shoulder straps, arm movement forward when in the skiing position is restricted, and poling while skinning will be affected too. In addition, the bag hung low and didn't feel right, where the ABS felt solid on my back. I'm 5' 7" tall BTW I have heard that quite a few companies are starting to make bags to zip on to the ABS back system. I heard that Millet had one out last year and the best one I've seen so far is a fellow guide who put a Black Diamond Covert bag on his ABS back (as he is a wizard with a heavy duty sewing machine). Ive had a few clients using the Snowpulse and my observation is that the belt buckle and crutch strap is a bit more fiddly than the ABS So I think my advice would be to try the Snowpulse to check how the carry is for you and, if it doesn't suit you either, buy an ABS back system and look around for alternative bags. Hope that all makes sense. Have a great (and avalanche free) winter. ANDY P

Author

Message

Sandy Paterson

Thursday 25 August 2011 3:17:30 pm

Hi Andy

I am going to get an airbag rucksack for the coming winter but can not decide between the ABS or the Snow Pulse, I was wondering if you had any thoughts on these. I have put below what pro's and con's I have found so far.

Thanks

Sandy

ABS

Pros:

- The vario system seesm good as you can change the bag sizes depening on what you are doing
- 2 air bags either side so if on gets punctured/does not work you have the other one
- Air bags are easier to re fold after use

Cons:

- No real head and neck protection
- Canisters can be a pain to take on planes (although they should not be some airlines don't like them)
- The actual rucksack does not seem great although I have only see video footage not had a play with one.

Snow Pluse:

Pro's:

- Good head and neck protection
- Nice rucksack (40L)
- Easy to transport canisters and get them refilled

Con's:

- Only one air bag so if it malfunctions no back up
- Difficult to re pack

Sandy Paterson

Andy Perkins

Friday 26 August 2011 7:33:42 am

Hi Sandy

I've been using an ABS for the past 2 years. I bought a back system with a steel bottle and the 30 and 50 litre packs to zip on. I upgraded to the carbon bottle last year and that saves about 200 grams if I recall correctly.

My experience has been as follows:
It's heavy - compared to any other ski pack. If I think the avalanche risk is negligible (eg standard Vallée Blanche on a category 2 day, I don't use it)
The 50 litre pack is way too big for hut to hut ski touring. It flops all over the place and looks awful.
The 30 litre pack is just a bit too small. I can get away with it by giving almost all the group kit to clients (which is standard practice among guides on ski tours) and strapping spare clothing on the outside on hot days. Even so, getting the shovel blade in and out of the pocket can be very tricky and the zip is showing signs of wear as a result.
I've never flown with the canister so can't comment on the logistics involved.
I've never had to set it off and/or repack it.

The reason I chose the ABS is that I tried the Snowpulse on and the carry felt terrible. Because the airbags are in the shoulder straps, arm movement forward when in the skiing position is restricted, and poling while skinning will be affected too.
In addition, the bag hung low and didn't feel right, where the ABS felt solid on my back. I'm 5' 7" tall BTW

I have heard that quite a few companies are starting to make bags to zip on to the ABS back system. I heard that Millet had one out last year and the best one I've seen so far is a fellow guide who put a Black Diamond Covert bag on his ABS back (as he is a wizard with a heavy duty sewing machine).

Ive had a few clients using the Snowpulse and my observation is that the belt buckle and crutch strap is a bit more fiddly than the ABS

So I think my advice would be to try the Snowpulse to check how the carry is for you and, if it doesn't suit you either, buy an ABS back system and look around for alternative bags.

Hope that all makes sense. Have a great (and avalanche free) winter.

ANDY P