Thoughts/opinions on packs and shovels

[X-Treme]

I've been "shopping" for a pack and a shovel, and like the reviews on the HMK Backcountry pack, and the Ortovox Kodiak shovel. Anyone use either of these? Like em? Hate em? Or do you have other brands that you recommend?

Sound off. Please.

 

[Wilk INStheWEST]

Get the Snowpulse Highmark Vest! Yes, they are expensive, but if you ever have to use it even once it is totally worth having. The vest is comfortable to wear all day and great for carrying the essentials.
I use the BCA D-2 EXT (). Seems very similar to the Kodiak shovel. The ability to use it as more of a excavator than shovel makes moving a lot of snow quick and easy, with minimal effort. The D handle on the Kodiak would be nice, as it's the best handle for using the shovel in the normal mode, but it looks awkward for using it in the excavator mode.

 

[slededjr]

i have he high mark pro pack, love it. lots of storage and not too heavy either. think my shovel is bca, worked great ever time i used it

 

[mmagic]

We have a good selection of avi gear and the big seller is the snow pulse vest the new version has plenty of storage and it weights about 9-10 lbs. As far as the shovels we have Hmk with saw in handle an all around nice reliable shovel and we also carry the BCA I personally like the excavator option on the bca can move snow quickly in different situations were a normal shovel would be a pain. We also carry the MTN line of backpacks with shovel and probe combo at a great price. 7804749400

 

[Old-Soul]

I have the HMK Back Country 2 and can't say I really recommend it for much more than touring around or bombing the prairies. My only true gripe with it is how stiff the materials become when they get cold. The fabric really hardens up and makes getting in and out a pain in the ass. It also doesn't have as much space as I would like to see in a mountain riding pack as once I have loaded up my bare essentials (dry shirt/socks, emergency blanket, fire starter pucks & lighter, knife etc) there isn't really much room left for much other than my spare gloves and goggles.

The things I do like about it, however, include the built-in hydration pack pocket (camelback) and how easy it is to access my shovel and probe when need be.

That being said, I only paid I think $90 for the pack with a shovel so I got what I paid for, and it does perform it's duty...I just feel a guy could do a little better if he spent a little more $$$.