Avy vest recommendations

[FastFarmer]

Just bought a BCA vest at the show, I talked to Dwayne and a few other people and I think the two things that made my mind up were the fit and the fact that it has built in protection, and the customer service stories that I have been told about. I have always bought Highmark / Snowpulse bags, last year i bought the 3.0 and I have nothing bad to say about them. I tried the charger vest which was my least favourite and the spire which would have been my second choice. I went with the BCA because of the built in armour because I have taken a lot of branches in the chops and not always out of choice and well...it just sucks. A good friend hits the bars at least once a season hard and he’s now looking at a truck vest or similar. The spire is longer and covers your torso more, but the slight rigid feeling of the BCA wraps you up like you think it should. I always look at what it might be like to be in a slide and that this fear is suppose to save my life. I am happy with this choice, and look forward to wearing it...hopefully soon!!

 

[drunkukrainian]

I ended up going with the Snowpulse Spire, fit actually seemed better for me and was lighter than the BCA. They also threw the armour pieces in with the deal so I think I’m pretty happy with it. Thanks for the advice everyone.

 

[RXN]

Just bought a BCA vest at the show, I talked to Dwayne and a few other people and I think the two things that made my mind up were the fit and the fact that it has built in protection, and the customer service stories that I have been told about. I have always bought Highmark / Snowpulse bags, last year i bought the 3.0 and I have nothing bad to say about them. I tried the charger vest which was my least favourite and the spire which would have been my second choice. I went with the BCA because of the built in armour because I have taken a lot of branches in the chops and not always out of choice and well...it just sucks. A good friend hits the bars at least once a season hard and he’s now looking at a truck vest or similar. The spire is longer and covers your torso more, but the slight rigid feeling of the BCA wraps you up like you think it should. I always look at what it might be like to be in a slide and that this fear is suppose to save my life. I am happy with this choice, and look forward to wearing it...hopefully soon!!

So what things dont you like on the highmark 3.0?
I bought one at the show yesterday. But dont know much about avy bags. Curious to know. Thanks

 

[FastFarmer]

So what things dont you like on the highmark 3.0?
I bought one at the show yesterday. But dont know much about avy bags. Curious to know. Thanks

There isn’t anything I don’t like about the 3.0, I just wanted a vest. I am keeping my 3.0 as it works for me and carries enough of everything.

 

[RXN]

Sorry. I really your post wrong.

 

[FastFarmer]

No worries RXN, you will really like the 3.0, good purchase as mine has held up really well. It’s just the right size and really you can stuff a lot of stuff in it.

 

[scotts]

ive wanted a vest for a few years and now that the snowpulse has the wrap around bag im interested.. but the Pieps/Klim/Polaris/Jetforce vest is very cool, I like multiple function tests on a single charge and not ever needing a bottle fill, ever.

I'd advise against the Jet force or any battery powered bag for that matter. I've had one for a couple years now and have grown to distrust it. It's never not deployed per say but I've had times when I've shut it down cold in the parking lot and tried to restart it only to have it be very sluggish coming back to life! The bag also needs to warm back up before recharging can begin after a day of use! I'm just not sure I trust the batteries in the cold. I also find the bag to be quite heavy!
they have their pros for sure, I've seen a couple different times where handles have been accidentaly pulled in the trees or by brake leavers while rolling over stuck sleds and guys ride the rest of the day without a bag where with the jet bag you can repack and way you go! It's nice to be able to test fire it every now and then but I still just don't get a cozy feeling about mine anymore! I think I'm going to switch to a BCA.

 

[+SLEDWRECKS+]

I can't comment on the other Avy Vests on the market, but I have personally been wearing this BCA vest for the last 3 seasons.
We sold a lot of BCA vest's this past weekend at the Edm show. MSRP came down $100.00 on this years vests as well, and are now $950.00 w/ bottle.
Dwayne & Deb are fantastic Rep's, and have awesome warranty !!

If weights are on your radar for an avy pack, then a vest is the best distribution of weight you can have, and obviously takes the strain off your shoulders from the straps of a standard pack and the have frontal & side protection for your ribs and soft parts. The front vest is also vented to allow airflow.

The BCA 20L Avy Vest weights 8.6 lbs with full air cylinder.
A BCA Float 32L pack for comparison is 7.1 lbs w/ cylinder.

 

[Beels]

Ran a BCA Float 22 Throttle pack for a number of years and switched to the new BCA vest last year. I will never use a pack again. Like others have said, the weight is more evenly distributed on the vest and having protection built in is a no brainer. I wore a Tekvest underneath with my pack and if people think the BCA vest is hot and causes cooling issues, it's not even close compared to the Tekvest.

 

[t300]

Went from a float30 (and a float22 a couple times) to last years BCA vest. Love it. Weight distribution, fitment, storage, I could never go back. Tried a snowpulse on (didn’t ride with it) didn’t fit me well. Only negative about BCA vest is that my shovels don’t fit it nicely. Guess I should buy a BCA shovel