Black Diamond Equipment Covert AvaLung Backpack - 22L, Internal Frame

This is one of the most comfortable back country/ski/snowboard packs I have ever owned. It rides well and is comfortable even during aggressive snowboarding. Having an integrated AvaLung system makes it much more usable and the Avalung mouthpiece is easy to access (though it could work better if the exit point from the strap was higher on the shoulder) even when on the move. Really, you should have it out and near your face or in your mouth for immediate access before decending questionable terrain (assuming you should even be there in the first place). The outer compartment organizes your shovel blade, shovel handel, probe poles and other immediate items well and securely. Plenty of lash points for an ice axe, external carry of skis or a snowboard or snow shoes/short approach skis. There is a nicely insulated hydration pack hose compartment in the right shoulder strap which helps keep the water from freezing within the hose. An excellent pack even at full price, hard to beat at this price.

It will be rare for me to need the avalung feature, but I did multiple hikes using the pack to carry skis on a recent trip to Taos and loved the pack. It made a great airplane carry on bag, and holds a deceptively large amount of stuff. It could use an outside zippered pocket, but that's a small flaw in an otherwise beautifully constructed pack.

perfect back country pack

Used this pack on a colorado hut trip skiing the backcountry. It was perfect for day skiing, both light weight and very functional. It easily held my avy gear, lunch, camelback bladder and skins when skiing. The integrated avalung added some peace of mind which I now consider essential gear.

I like how the bag feels. with 22L you can't expect a lot of space. but for day hikes, it has space for water / jacckets (shell)/ iceaxe /polls / crampon. couldn't ask for more. like it.