UKC

I'm struggling to find something with all the features I'm looking for so give me your suggestions.

25ish litres, robust but not too heavy, can carry 2 axes and (this seems to be the deal breaker) skis, preferably as a diagonal carry. I might need to look at ski bags but they often weigh a ton and I don't need all the bells and whistles.

Any ideas?

In reply to DaveHK:

Not sure you will find anything that small with diagonal ski and 2 ice axe carry, I have an Ortovox haute route 32 which is actually pretty small and does all that but not at the same time !

I have been thinking about changing to the Lowe Alpine mountain or alpine attack, bit bigger but good axe and ski carry but only A frame.

Happy searching and let me know if you find anything as I may be interested myself.

In reply to DaveHK:

http://www.blueice.com/product/white-tiger-25l/

Not a diagonal carry but seems to tick all your other boxes.
Jase

In reply to DaveHK:

I've been using a Dakine Heli-pro for a while, about 25lts, diagonal ski carry, avalanche kit pocket, only one axe holder but you could use the side straps for the other one. When I first got it I wasn't that impressed but having used it I now really like it, a very comfortable rucksack.

In reply to DaveHK:

I used an Osprey Kode 22. Diagonal carry, excellent storage and axes slipped down the side and they stayed there when compressed in but easy to get hold of. Outstanding bit of kit and as mine is a size m/l, a wee bit more than 22 litres.

http://www.ospreyeurope.com/gb_en/ski-snowboard/kode-series/kode-22

youtube.com/watch?v=-5bwumaLGWg&

In reply to DaveHK:

I Don't know about skiing, but for Ice climbing and summer Alpinism, I'm perfectly happy with my Millet Prolighter 25, especially the ice axe attachment

In reply to DaveHK:

Patagonia ascentionist has 2 axe holders and a middle section that skis can be attached too. Videos on YouTube showing it off.
I love it. Easy to work one handed and with big gloves on too.

In reply to DaveHK:
Deuter Guide 35+ is a little bigger than you are looking for but simple, light and tough, good ski carry straps (A frame) and ice axe attachments. You can see them at Go Outdoors. I'm not sure how well diagonal ski carry would work in conjunction with ice axe attachments?
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/deuter-guide-35-plus-rucksack-p269723

In reply to DaveHK:

Is there a Decathlon near you? http://www.decathlon.co.uk/alpinism-32-climbing-mountaineering-backpack-bla...

Might be worth a punt

In reply to DaveHK:

I'd second the Kode 22. It's a tad heavy at 1.3kg though. And I'll add that I have only used the 32 but it's no different and it's pretty good.

Or the Patagonia Snowdrifter 20. I have the 30L and the only difference (apart from the size) is the 20L doesn't have a zippered access panel from the back. Plus it's under 1kg.

In reply to DaveHK:

Blue Ice or Millet are the obvious choices I can think of...

Former might require a bit of tweakin' for the ski side.
http://coldthistle.blogspot.fi/2012/05/more-on-climbing-packs-from-dave-sea...

From skiing sacks, Arva seems to also offer this.

HMG Summit with some mods might also suit ya. I do know that they are willin' to tweak their design or add something extra for a nominal fee.
https://www.hyperlitemountaingear.com/summit-pack.html

The only problem I see with almost all the models available is the fact that do you wish to carry both axes and skiing at the same time? Often that is a complete no-go.

In reply to ryan p:

The 25L? Not sure it'd carry skis well. Where are the vids showing the ski carry?

In reply to galpinos:

My mistake as I thought they all had the same carrying attachments. The 35 is the lowest that has the ski attachments.

In reply to DaveHK:

Deuter Pace 28 SL or 30 might be with a look. On the 28 SL you can carry skis a-frame or on the back of the sack. Not sure if diagonal carry will work but you can configure the straps lots of ways so might be worth a look.

In reply to DaveHK:
I've got one of these I could be persuaded to part with, in good condition.

http://www.amazon.de/Millet-Daypack-Matrix-red-rouge/dp/B00DBX6GFQ

https://www.behance.net/gallery/7359911/Matrix-back-pack-for-Millet

In reply to ryan p:
No problem. I've got the 25L and thought you had an ingenious way of attaching skis!

In reply to DaveHK:

Im looking for something similar (more like 30L) and considering the Lowe Alpine Peak Attack. I've had one of their old alpine packs for a decade which seems to be indestructible - just lacks a decent waist band which I'd consider a must for skiing (and carrying skis).

In reply to galpinos:

Unfortunately I can't ski to save my life, I have the 45ltr ascentionist and aparently the skis can go in the middle of the Daisy chain straight up and down. The 25 doesn't have the Daisy chain I just checked it out.

In reply to featuresforfeet:

Mountain attack looks better than peak attack for Ski biased stuff......

In reply to DaveHK:

Maybe check out the Jones Minimalist (or the other packs futher/ deeper/ higher). It's made for splitboarding but definitely has diagonal carry, not sure about the axe carriers though.

In reply to Fiona Reid:

I should also have said the Deuter Pace 28 SL has two axe loops that are separate from the ski carry straps and also adjustable for different axe head sizes (i.e. will still work with small hammers etc!).

In reply to Dark-Cloud:

Indeed but I have a Mammut bag of similar dimensions to the L.A. Mountain Attack (plus a considerable collection of other bags in 2l increments) and find that everything ends up jammed under the shovel at the bottom. I'd say if you were going for a not-likely-to-be-full pack then get one with a shovel compartment/strap etc

In reply to ryan p:

My 25L does have a daisy chain so I shall get experimenting, cheers!

In reply to DaveHK:

Dave, have a look at the Da Kine Vertex, it seems to tick all your boxes. I have had one of these for years and it has served me well from day ski tours to summer days out to mountain biking.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/vertex-ski-backpack-by-da-kine~p~85406/

In reply to DaveHK:

I have this;
http://www.trekkinn.com/outdoor-mountain/deuter-rise-26/19194/p

Does everything you want is is really comfy to wear. Not the lightest (1.2kg) but not too bad. Bought it in Chamonix, don't think you can get them in the UK easily and they may be discontinued - if you look on the Deuter site (not the UK one) they do the Rise in all kinds of sizes now. I've carried skis diagonally using the front straps that are meant for a snowboard - works fine.

In reply to DaveHK:

Cheers for the suggestions folks. I'd already seen the Blue Ice one and liked it but difficult to find in stock. Might wait till I'm in the Alps at Easter.

In reply to DaveHK:


Blue Ice has it on stock...
http://www.blueice.com/product/white-tiger-25l/

In reply to DaveHK:

A little smaller but diagonal carry...
http://www.macpac.co.nz/clearance/equipment/powder-pack-18.html
Also quite a few Black Diamond packs that fit the bill (often sold off half price at the end of the season too)

b