DaKine Packs

[seldon]

I'm going to be buying a pack this week and have narrowed the choices down to a couple. I'd really rather have a smaller pack since I'm doing mostly lift-accessed and I like being able to sit on chairs without spinning the pack around me. So, here's the question.

I will have skins, trekkers, probe, 70oz camelback, and shovel along with maybe 1-2 extra pieces of clothing at max. Is a Heli-Pro big enough or should I spring for a Poacher or Guide?

Thanks

[crashnburn'd]

Bigger, Heli Pro won't cut it. The skins and trekkers will take up more space than you realize.

[mntlion]

"Poacher or Guide? "

I would go poacher or the Chute.

guide is a bit big (45+l I think)

My girlfriend guides with a chute and has more stuff than you are taking. Nice pack that fits well, durable and handles lots of crap

[Hugh Jass]

I've got a Poacher and a Heli Pro.

Heli Pro can fit a bladder, skins, a small shovel, and an extra layer. It's nice for lift served, but doesn't hold much. It may be tough fitting the trekkers and additional layers.

The Poacher handles everything. It isn't that comfortable on the chair, but it holds what I need. You could always cinch it down a bit for a lower profile when you don't have as much to take with.

[trainnvain]

I also have the Poacher (sm) and Heli-pro. They both bother me on the chairlift, so I spin both around (I'm a pussy at heights on a chairlift). Go with the Poacher. The Helipro has been relegated to a junk/car pack since I got the Poacher, and I carry the the same goods you listed.

[seldon]

Everything I'm doing at this point (and probably in the near future) is lift accessed. If I really want to go big, I have an Arc'Teryx Bora 75 that will be put to use (3500-4600 cubic inches). What I guess I'm wondering is, with full cramming, will the following gear fit in a large heli-pro:

-Shovel
-Probe
-Camelbak (70 oz)
-Trekkers + skins (these will not be utilized most of the time but in the rare case that I'll be doing something longer, then they'll be used)
-Sandwich
-Leatherman Wave
-The extra clothing is not a big deal, the Beta AR breathes well enough most of the time

Mostly this pack will be for lift-accessed, sometimes inbound hikes (think baldy chutes and hike to turns off of the weed; I could make P14 toepieces from the molds in the back of my right shoulder).

I guess the real deal is that most of the time the chairlift dealio is gunna be realy important and I will rarely be actually putting the trekkers/skins in it (I haven't bought them yet, I'm a complete BC JONG).
Thanks
-john

PS. Given the larger packs, is the Poacher or the Blade a better choice? Also, does anyone have time on the Bora as a snow pack? It's completely bomber as hell as a summer backpacking pack but I've never used it skiing. Hmmmm......

[homerjay]

I was all set to order a small Life-link pack for resort use. Turns out they were sold out, and I never did, and I'm kind of glad. I have a 35 or 40 L pack that works great, I can fit enough for epic spring death marches, or for heading out the gate at the area, just crank down the straps. I'm a fan of simplicity these days, so one pack for all (except overnighters). I also like to put my helmet inside the pack for approaches/climbs.

Not sure how the compare size-wise, but consider a BD Slide pack. My buddy just got one..nice ski-specific features, though I don't think it has diagonal ski carry.

I'm not a fan of Da Kine products, though.

Your Bora 75 is a huge. You'd only need that for multi day ski expeditions. A smaller Bora (30 or 40 L) would kick ass.

Osprey Switch 25+5 is also highly regarded. As are BCA stash packs.

Winter edition of Couloir has an extensive pack review. Check it out.

[The Reverend Floater]

Buy an Arcteryx M-30. DaKrap will explode on you, guaranteed.

[CaddyDaddy77]

Have both the Heli-pro and the Poacher, go with the Poacher, the attributes are already mentioned above.

Even if the Rev hates 'em my luck has been pretty good, two years on the Poacher and four on the Heli-Pro, no problems.

[Truckee Joe]

Look into the Blade Pack i got one and i love it. it has the same setup as the poacher but a little smaller. I think its just right. i dont have to spin it around on the lift unless i have the pack full. The BLADE is the way to go...

[laseranimal]

another VERY important thing to consider is that the size in Cubic inches doesn't necessarally mean the same thing. I have the Heli Pro and the BD Slide pack, Both are around 1200 cubic i think the pro is a little smaller. I can fit twice as much crap in the Slide pack as I can in the Pro. The Pro has one giant storage space plus a shovel slot and then a tiny mesh top pocket that is full with a pair of keys and then a hip belt pocket that will hold a leatherman.

The slide pack is MUCH better organized. Same big space but in adition to the waterproof top pocket there is a internal pocket that will hold exactly- 4 powerbars, wallet, keys, BD moonlight headlamp, ski lock, talkabout radio, and still have a little bit of room for some smaller items The top pocket holds my leatherman/tools stuff I want to access quickly. The only drawbacks/features I'd like to see are the following. Diagonal ski carry for shorter hikes/when the pack isn't full, the H style loops are too small to fit skis with tails bigger than 100 mm(G4's Explosives don't fit, G3's do) and some form of webbing on the pack so you can attach stuff that doesn't fit in the pack onto it.

The slide pack also for some miraculous reason doesn't pack outwards, ie you won't feel like you're about to fall of the chairlift when you have it fully loaded, and on the EC it has the added bonus of making sure you don't get smacked in the head with the saftey bar. I've used the slide pack with trekkers and skins, extra layer, hydration system etc and it'll work but they're won't work for multi day, overnight or anything that would require more gear then shovel, probe etc.

[powderhound]

get a wookey

[sandytheskier]

I have the chute and love it. It is the only dakine that holds skis two ways (a frame and diag).

[phUnk]

3 years on my Poacher. Love it.

[snorkeldeep]

seldon,

havent used the bora, but i have the arcteryx borea and use it for both in bounds and bc skiing.. carrying as little as you mention there, or as much as needed for 2 day trips. weight distribution ROCKS, it fits me perfectly, and the a-frame setup on the pack is totally bomber. if i remember correctly, the bora doesnt have the same aframe setup or the nice big zipper pulls and easy pocket access.. but im not sure. as for heli pro vs poacher vs guide whatever - youll find that will all of that stuff jammed into the smaller pack its going to be big anyways.. and a pain on the lift. just spin your bag around and go, or ride solo on the chair. get the bag that will easily fit everything you need, youll be happier in the end.

[Idris]

I have the Chute (Thanks Natty) it is the most comprehensive pack I've had so far...A frame is a pain because it dosent have clips on the compression straps....the side holders are great for icce axes, but the shovel pocket dosen't have a sleave for probe or handle and there is no exit hole for the drinks hose...these have probably changed on the new model...also the under lid map pocket would be nice .....the only problem and its a large on is durability is shocking....things like the renforcements for the frame are in the wrong place, the frame keeps bursting out...the only other whinge is the hip pocket is too small for anything usefull...liked my camera pocket there on my old sack, and leatherman on the other side.

[ak_powder_monkey]

I really like my Pro 2 It doesn't have enough room for anything over night or anything but for a day pack its perfect

[crashnburn'd]

Originally posted by seldon
I could make P14 toepieces from the molds in the back of my right shoulder

uh... no one else pointed this out, but you know those Trekkers won't work with Looks right?

[verbier61]

Love my heli pro. Got it two years ago and although I do not bring a camelback (still prefer a boottle) I usually have quite large bino . If you really want to stick to lift-served areas, I guess the heli is definitely enough and not too much

[non grata]

i called BCA regarding the look/trekker problem asking them about specific models that aren't compatible with em or at least some more info about it and their response was:

"Well, we don't know cause Look keeps changing their bindings."

well, ok.

[Rascal King]

Originally posted by crashnburn'd
uh... no one else pointed this out, but you know those Trekkers won't work with Looks right?

bullsh*t, everyone says it so you take there werd. The heel just rubs against the back and has no effect on how it tours. And if you put the climbing post up it does'nt even touch at all.

[natty dread]

Originally posted by Idris
the only problem and its a large on is durability is shocking....things like the renforcements for the frame are in the wrong place, the frame keeps bursting out

Bring it with you to the hood summit and we'll bring it down to da kine and get you a new one...Oh I forgot, you don't do warranties, got to keep those gear prices down