BCA Float 18 review

[funkendrenchman]

First impressions.

Pros:
-Metal buckle on waist strap
-Minimal straps
-Two belt pockets
-Doesn't scream, "I'm heavy."
-Helmet carrier attachment
-Overall looks

Cons:
-I knew how small it is when I bought it, but I hope I can fit the essentials in there. We'll see when I get home.
-Top ski strap seems kinda wimpy.
-Shovel/probe pocket may have trouble fitting my big shovel handle
-The back pad has no venting.

Those are my first thoughts. I'll add more when I pack it up.

Any questions you want answered?

[hop]

I really was hoping they would have extended the back panel pocket up to match the height of the main compartment but the production ones are the same as the samples. Adding that ~1-2 extra liters of volume would have made a lot of difference IMO.

[MakersTeleMark]

Post up a pick with all your shit stuffed into it (if possible).

[CG]

I had to reload the air bag on one of those a few weeks ago, it was a pain in the ass. Took about 45 minutes and 2 or 3 attempts getting the zipper >1/2 way zipped only for it to separate. Didn't look like there was much room in the pack, shovel, probe and maybe a sandwich.

[marshalolson]

can you confirm there is enough space for:

1. skins
2. goggles
3. gloves
4. nalgene
5. shovel/probe

and potentially a very small/compressible extra layer?

thanks. if no to that, i need to change my order to a 36l asap.

[funkendrenchman]

can you confirm there is enough space for:

1. skins
2. goggles
3. gloves
4. nalgene
5. shovel/probe

and potentially a very small/compressible extra layer?

thanks. if no to that, i need to change my order to a 36l asap.

Yup. That's exactly what I'm shooting for.

[hop]

Yup it fits or yup I'm gonna test that out?

[funkendrenchman]

Yup it fits or yup I'm gonna test that out?

Testing it out. I'll try it and put up pics later.

[marshalolson]

dammit man. just say yes or no

[funkendrenchman]

And the verdict is:

The pack fits a shovel, probe, skins, Nalgene, and mittens. Or you can substitute a Mountain Hardware Compressor jacket for the Nalgene. You may also be able to squeeze the jacket in there if you use a thinner Nalgene or a bladder (Platypus), but that is really testing the limits of the zippers. I'm sure you can squeeze sunglasses in there but there's no way to fit a coat, Nalgene, skins, and goggles.

The first pic is me trying to squeeze everything in there. The second is how it packs with either the Nalgene or jacket. The third is how I packed it inside.

My shovel handle and probe are just a bit long for the pack. (Which isn't a surprise since they didn't fit in my old Dakine Pro 2 pack either) So I'm gonna have swap them out for smaller versions.

Most of the time I'll be using this pack for sidecountry, so I wont have an extra jacket or skins. I think if I get a slightly smaller shovel/blade and a more compact water bottle it will fit everything except goggles, which will be fine since on the way up, the skins will be on my skis.

[marshalolson]

thanks for the pics matt, i think that thing, while super tiny and minimal, will be perfect for 1 day action. nice.

[DRahlves]

yes the Float 18 is small and compact, but I used it and can fit a shell, an extra set of gloves, shovel blade and handle, probe, hydration bladder, goggle and a little food. The waist belt pockets work well for a leatherman tool in one and Wend Wax tin and diamond stone in the other. Skins don't fit in with all the stuff above, but once the goggle and shell are out, it works. Nice to have the helmet sling on back as well while you skin up on your Atomic Tracker 16 AT binding. Check this link and enter to win one pair w/ the '12-'13 Atlas Ski for early release this winter. 26mm stack height, 80mm wide platform, and a killer ski to hike mode. http://www.atomicsnow.com/tracker

[bfree]

How does it feel to carry the pack when it's maxed out like that? The padding/straps look pretty basic. I prefer to have space for food, gloves, and a light jacket so I think I'll be ordering a 36.

[funkendrenchman]

Skins don't fit in with all the stuff above, but once the goggle and shell are out, it works.

Basically what I found out. I'm gonna try a smaller shovel and 25 oz water bottle to gain a little extra space. You can also use the helmet carry to carry an extra jacket on the way up if you don't have a helmet.

It definitely isn't as padded as my Heli Pro pack, but at least with the Float tech the back remains flat even when stuffed. I'll have to a wait a week or two to test it out on the mountain.

[marshalolson]

I just got received my float 18 this afternoon, and posted my take at blister gear review. Hopefully it is useful.

Is it perfect? No. Will it work for 99% of all backcounty type users? Absolutely.

[misfit toy]

I just got received my float 18 this afternoon, and posted my take at blister gear review. Hopefully it is useful.

Is it perfect? No. Will it work for 99% of all backcounty type users? Absolutely.

Thanks for the tail. stay safe!

[hop]

After reading the Blister review I see Marshal agrees w/ me. That step was what I was talking about in my first post in this thread. Maybe next year they'll extend the front of the pack and add that crucial bit of volume.

[marshalolson]

After reading the Blister review I see Marshal agrees w/ me. That step was what I was talking about in my first post in this thread. Maybe next year they'll extend the front of the pack and add that crucial bit of volume.

totally agree with you man. there just seems to be no reason to not have that extra couple L. i mean... why not, right?

at least to me, it is not a deal breaker in any way, the pack hold everything i need it to... its just a small detail that prevents me from thinking of the pack as "perfect"...

[skinnyskier]

I borrowed Andrew's picture showing what he could fit in an 18L airbag pack:



I'm all for going light, but that would be pretty minimal for a typical mid winter, 6-7 hour day tour for me. I'm sure I would get cold on a storm day during a lunch stop with just that much gear. The whole group would have to keep moving on a storm day if one guy had just that much stuff. Everybody would have to run in speed mode.

I'm in the habit of bringing more food than that, like a real big sandwich and cookies, a small thermos on really cold days, sometimes ski crampons and a vest. Sometimes I'll take a Spot, and a cell phone and a Canon G10-you get the idea. There is no way 18L is enough for 99% of all tours-maby 99% of cat skiers.

[marshalolson]

^^ what is that huge blue thing? a sleeping bag?

but yeah, obviously if you want to bring numerous layers, a huge camera, some crampons, a thermos, etc you need a 30l or bigger pack.

[bendtheski]

Some really good intel here, thanks!

I can see one of these in my future, but trying to spread out my purchases so I can still eat/pay mortgage.

First up will be beacon/probe/shovel/pack/skins and avy course.
Next, touring binders.

Seems like the airbag regretably keeps getting pushed further down on the list, but purchasing all at once is just unpossible so I'll pick up what I can when I can. From what I've seen though, airbag seems to be as essential bc gear as anything else if not more so, so maybe it should be higher on my list?

In the meantime, I don't plan on taking on anything too ambitious and having any gear and some knowledge is better than having none I suppose...

[FFsup]

Hey guys

Why oh why did they not make that main compartment come all the way up...

What does the handle&probe compartement look like? Do you think it would be possible to squeeze in a straight lightweight axe in between the probe and the shovel handle?

Or could there be a good way to modify the outside so you can attatch one or two axes there?

What i'm looking for is ability to carry gear for skiing on glaciers and hopefully a minimalistic approach to touring on glaciers. When going for longer tours i wont bother with carrying the extra weight of the airbag system anyway i think.

That is:
-Shovel&probe
-Crampons and axe.
-30m of 8mm rope
-0.5 liters of water in some soft packfriendly bottle
-2-3 chocolate bars
-Skins & Goggles if touring

[whyturn]

thread revivial. having reviewed all wildsnow, blistergear and other reviews as well as reading BC.com reviews i am somewhat educated. Strongly considering the BCA float. Any changes for 2012? Any updates from 2011 users? Any new info?

[Skeeze]

Mammoth Mountaineering can refill your canisters for you now. I was the first one they ever did! (kinda amazing how they've been selling them for 2 years now and they only just filled their first one...it's been slow selling avi gear).

[1000-oaks]

You should call me Whyturn.

I've had both the latest version Float 30 (bought it used on Gearswap last spring & recently sold it to a sledhead on eBay) and the Float 36 (returned it new to BC, even though I got it on sale for $627). At your height you'd probably prefer the 36, since the 30 is shorter and ideal for someone sitting on a snowmobile. Both are definitely nicely-made packs. The Float 36 downsides are a fair amount of empty space around the airbag system (directly against your upper back), which I assume is intended to provide more air to the venturi. That empty compartment pushes all of your gear in the pack about 3" away from your back, instead of keeping the weight close. Also the panels of the pack against your back is made of thin foam sheets covered with pack material, which gives it some support but not any kind of structure that would support a heavier load. When empty, the pack folds easily/flops along the zipper between the bottom of the "engine compartment" and the lower pack access panel. Maybe that flexibility is intentional and allows the pack to conform and flex with your back while skiing.

Repacking the Float 30 bag is pain in the ass (have to deal with a Velcro seam), but it helps if you can spread out the bag on a bed and have some clothes pins to hold your progress. The Float 36 is easier thanks to the clever burst zipper and the bag compartment doesn't seem as tight.

I'm going with the Mystery Ranch Blackjack. The harness on the Blackjack has "real" backpack straps and waistband, and an adjustible-height yoke. It's a legitimate load-bearing design (and you can remove the airbag and use it hiking in the summertime), yet is still a few ounces lighter than the BCA 30 and 36. Seems like all the avi packs but the Blackjack have straps more like what you'd expect to see on a kid's school backpack, to minimize weight. The Blackjack is larger-volume than I'd like, but it compresses to a very thin package, and the weight of the extra material that makes it 42L is negligible. Most of the weight is in the harness, ski carry and the airbag system, which is in line with my priorities for an avi pack.