THINKING OF SWITHING FROM A PATROL VEST TO A BACKPACK?'S

Hi, I have been patrolling with a Patagonia Vest for two seasons, I like it and I don't. I have been thinking of switching over to a backpack. The reason is this, I can't get to everything that I need, I have switched things around many times! I just think that it would be much better for my needs
!

 

I am patrolling at a smaller resort so, I don't have to carry a ton of stuff, but would like something with a bunch of pockets or compartments that are easily accessable!

 

I can be at the bottom of the hill in three minutes with a sled.

 

What do you suggest and why! Thank you for your help.

 

Best regards,

 

Siggy

Edited by siggy1ride - Wed, 04 Feb 09 02:50:33 GMT

Oddly enough, we were discussing this very issue among ourselves.  It all began when 2 patrollers decided to buy the Mountain Uniforms Patroller Vest, and other in the clinic gave them admiring looks.  I took one look at it, and said, "Nope, not for me!" the reason is simple.  Temperatures in our neck of the woods often go below -20 degrees Celsius with windchills down into the - 30s.  At that point, many others said, "Oops, yeah, you're right," and the admiring looks stopped.  At those temperatures, there is no way that I want to open my jacket to get at my stuff.  I simply whip off my pack, and everything is right there for me as soon as I open one zipper, and I am still pretty warm.  But then again, My pack is really comfortable, so I don't really notice that I am wearing it until I sit on the lift.

 

I wear a Mountainsmith Day Fanny Pack, and I will not be changing it for the forseeable future.

 

Hi Dean, thanks for your reply!

 

I want to stick with a backpack, I am also a motorcycle racer and have tried fanny packs and they are not for me!

 

I have to tell you that the coldest day I ever skied was at Mount Saint Anne in Quebec, we got off of the bus and it was 60 below zero with the wind chill, this was about twenty something years ago!

 

The City of Quebec Rocks, we had a great time!

 

Regards,

 

Scott

 

I always wore the vest over the jacket...

Convenient, not too bulky and its another layer for the cold days.

I'm only a first season patroller (OEC and Cert last year) and don't have all the experience of many others, but.......

 

I started out OEC last Feb with a fanny pack. In our class, we had about a 50/50 ratio of backpack to fanny pack. After a near fatal 'snag' on the lift (ok, it really freaked me out, LOL!), I have switched to a backpack. Mostly my reasons are that I like to carry extra personal gear (googles, gloves, water bottle, etc.). Fanny pack also kept snagging toboggan handles on extreme sideslips (I'm 6' tall). Traverse packs are nice (re; expensive$$$). I purchased myself as well as 5 others for my class the 'Bugout' brand of pack. (3-Day Pass model)  I'm sure they are available online. I got mine at an Air Force BX store. They retail around $49 and are very well built, many pockets and 'layers' for gear. So far the vote is for the Bugout over the Traverse by our group.

 

I have also purchased the Cascade Ultimate vest. My plan was to use this while working the aid station and during 'spring' conditions. I agree that using it exclusively for aid gear may be a challenge. I only have a few items (4X's, gloves, radio of course) stored in the vest. I wear a light weight jacket underneath and still wear my pack.

No can do.  The radio is worn in the vest, and that is one of the great reasons for buying one.  But at our temps, the radio would freeze and the batteries would be drained in half an hour.  So, we would still have to put the radio in an inside pocket or a harness, then the jacket, then the vest.  No thanks, I'll stick with my fanny pack.  But in all fairness, if I skied in Colorado or someplace like that, I would try a vest.
 

I got over my vest this year when I couldn't zip it up.  It's an XL and I'm 5'10" 160lbs.  With all the gear loaded in it, it was cumbersome and heavy.  I switched to a pack.  I got a PRON patrol specific pack.  I love the way the pack organizes my medical supplies and the self evac gear, I even have room for a clip board.  I haven't set up a bladder yet, but the pack will accommodate that.  The ski/snowboard carrying system also seems good.  The pack is relatively low profile and rides the lift well.  I'm not as sure about the shovel pocket and the harness system is overly complicated and the buckles kinda suck.  There is also no place to attach a radio.  It is very cold here, but most of us wear our radios on the outside of the vest with no problem.  I have found that I am not a fan of opening my layering to make or answer a call.  I may end up  using a mike that I can fasten to my packstrap.  The PRON is good, but I would probably prefer something like my BCA BC Stash with a fold out modification to hold the medical equipment. 

I really like the Swivler Patrol Vest.  It's more of a modular pack than a vest.  It's the first vest that I've used that made me feel like my gear was organized.

 I just got on with episki, so hopefully folks will still see this old thread. The discussion was about fanny packs or backpacks. I am a patroller in northern Minnesota, and I make patroller packs. I could never find exactly what I wanted in a backpack, so I designed my own from scratch. Drop me a line and I can send you a link to see pictures and prices.
Think snow!

I'm not a patroller, but I picked up an Oggio Flak Vest this summer to carry avy gear. Looks like it would be perfect for patrolling.

^^^^^^ Can't wait to see you skiing with that.

To elaborate more, I'm on the market for a lighter pack, for single day occurencies, and was considering the BD Outlaw (with or without avalung, not that I think I'll need that, but shops here seems to offer the avalung version only). I want to carry with me in the "sidecountry" my new light shovel (lexan, most consider it pretty useless I know) and a probe (I'll try to convince Santa to put a beacon for me under the Xmas tree so to have a complete set at last) one or two platypus bottles, plus have some spare room for extra clothing items. But when I read this thread, I had never considered a vest. It looks interesting. That's why I can't wait to see Mr. P. skiing Made with that on.

http://www.planetjh.com/sports_recreation/A_102998.aspx

And, as always, you know the drill with Mrs. Prickly: "That thing? He's had it for years..."

Teee Heee, mum's the word. 
Sure I remember you skiing with that two seasons' ago ;-)

So, tell me Mr. P. would you recommend it to use for the Made (or other Alps locations) sidecountry (lets' start with that) skiing? Is that the purpose you got it for?
I've found it on ebay but the auction has expired and I'll have to wait and see if the seller puts it back on for sale, so in the meantime I'm trying to cater all the info to decide if that's what I really want or if it is an overkill for me and my needs. Because me like it very much.

Siggy1ride, sorry for the hijack...