Ortovox

Free Rider 24L Backpack

Easily access your snow safety tools with the harmonious organization of the Ortovox Free Rider 24 Backpack. In addition to having an easily accessible compartment for your avalanche rescue gear and deployable helmet net for your brain bucket, this innovative pack sports a built-in back protector to shield your spine from harsh impacts.

The SPS Flex Back Protector offers extra insurance against bad falls, and it's totally flexible when you're skiing and riding at high speeds, as to not impede critical movements. Best of all, it's good for multiple or successive impacts, meaning you won't have to replace this pack after taking a nasty fall on the mountain.

Besides the front-access pocket for quickly grabbing and stashing your shovel and probe away, there's a zippered top compartment for storing a compact puffy jacket or spare gloves. Both A-frame and diagonal ski and snowboard carry options come in handy for booting up steep chutes and tricky approaches where scrambling is necessary. External loops attach to ice axes and trekking poles, so you can scale technical ascents and cross glaciers en route to your line. Plus, it's fully compatible with hydration reservoirs, complete with tube routing for on-the-go drinking.