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Gear reviews | Mammut Ultralight RAS 3.0 airbag backpack

Ultralight avalanche backpack

by Daniel Schweiss • 03/20/2017

The Ultralight RAS sits compactly on the back...

Daniel Schweiss

In the current 2016/17 winter season, Mammut is revamping the lightest member of its avalanche backpack line, the "Ultralight Removable Airbag 3.0". The suffix "3.0". The revised Removable Airbag System (RAS), which is housed in this lightweight backpack, has further improved the backpack's weight and space. With a total weight of just 1.5 kg including the carbon cartridge and airbag unit, the backpack turns out to be a fully-fledged minimalist among airbag backpacks. The fact that the compact and lightweight airbag unit can be interchanged between various compatible Mammut backpack models makes this specialist interesting for ski tourers who want to be light, fast and safe or just want to go downhill.

Test procedure

The test is intended to illustrate and evaluate daily experiences with the backpack. For the effectiveness of the airbag system, reference is made to manufacturer specifications or other independent test reports. The scope of the test ranges from carefree freeride days to intensive 2000+ meter day tours.

The new RAS 3.0 system

For the current season, Mammut has once again revised and improved its tried-and-tested airbag system. However, apart from the integrated airbag system, this backpack model has not undergone any significant changes compared to last year's "Mammut Ultralight RAS" gear review. In summary, some of the most important new features of the Airbag System 3.0:

New airbag material in eye-catching fluorescent orange, which facilitates visual detection even in poor visibility conditions.

Compact, lightweight and low-maintenance trigger unit
The trigger mechanism can be activated and trained without a cartridge using the "Trigger Test Tool". This means that the trigger can be practiced as often as required.

Revised and height-adjustable trigger handle for better operability with gloves.

Mounting and changing the RAS airbagin
3.0 RAS (Removable Airbag System) is approx. 20% lighter and 30% smaller.

First impression

The most striking thing about the airbag backpack is its surprisingly compact size. When you hold it in your hands, it is of course the almost outrageously light weight, which immediately raises the question of where the Mammut developers have hidden the airbag unit. It is located in the lid compartment, which can be torn open without resistance. In an emergency, a fluorescent orange 150 liter airbag deploys in just a few seconds. As this blocks access to the inside of the backpack from above, the contents can only be accessed via the back section, which can be zipped open from below. As is usual for a minimalist, there is only this one backpack compartment, which also contains the carbon cartridge and the release unit. Of course, the reduction principle also applies to other details. Chest and hip straps including leg loops and metal buckles are present, but reduced to a minimum. You almost have to look for the ice axe and ski holder with a magnifying glass, but they are actually where they belong. The release handle is well protected in a pocket on the left shoulder strap that can be closed with 2 zippers. It is not possible to switch to the right shoulder strap.

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Test report

Not even paranoid users need to worry about using the backpack. Screw the cartridge into the thread provided and you're ready for the terrain. Attention: The cartridge is not included in the scope of delivery! To simulate a deployment without inflating the airbag, a plastic part (trigger test tool) is supplied which can be screwed in instead of the cartridge. I recommend everyone to repeat this "dry run" several times to memorize the strong jerk on the trigger handle. If you pull too gently, you will only pull the backpack up your back without triggering the inflation...

One of the biggest challenges when using the backpack is the very limited pack size, which is likely to overwhelm even organization professionals. According to Mammut, there is space in and on the backpack for everything you need for demanding ski tours. As I'm personally not a fan of all kinds of attachments on my backpack, I try to stow everything I need inside. The complete avalanche equipment, including a small pharmacy, fits inside without any problems. With the thermos, a few bars and skins, it gets rather tricky. A light thermal jacket can also be stowed inside with difficulty. Everything else, such as crampons, is a hopeless undertaking. Mammut offers a practical solution in the form of a crampon bag that can be attached to the outside of the backpack. Experience has shown that any crampon bag will do the job. This model does not have a helmet holder with mesh. As the backpack is largely unstructured and slack without contents, deformations can hardly be avoided even when packed. This may be partly due to the cartridge attached to the side inside the backpack compartment.

Once all the utensils have been successfully stowed away, the release handle pulled out of the shoulder bag, adjusted to the correct height and unfolded, and all the straps and leg loops fastened, you're ready to go. The backpack sits very comfortably on the upper body without the contents pressing through the lightly padded back section. The weight is hardly noticeable despite the "full pack". If you feel hungry or thirsty after a while, it is unavoidable to put the backpack down in the snow if you want to get food and drink. Of course, this is more inconvenient, but you will certainly have a lighter backpack including airbag on your back than your colleagues without an airbag! And for longer breaks, there is a removable seat pad hidden in the openable back section, which can also be envied. If your colleague has to carry your delicious sandwich due to a lack of space in their own backpack, you can always share it with them.

In windy conditions, snow is quickly blown into the inner compartment when the backpack is taken off. You should also be careful in steep terrain to ensure that no items slip out of the backpack when you open the inner compartment and plummet down into the depths. If skins are no longer an option, the skis must be attached to the backpack. To prevent the airbag from inflating completely, the skis can only be attached diagonally. The holder provided for this works perfectly, even for fat slats, without the backpack losing its pleasant carrying comfort. It would probably also be possible to attach a snowboard.

You should make sure that no metal parts rub against the backpack when bootpacking, otherwise the thin backpack material will be damaged very quickly. Once you have reached the summit, the skis are just as quickly unstrapped from the backpack. Of course, a low weight is not a disadvantage on the descent either. We prefer to use the strength in our legs for skiing fun rather than carrying extra kilos on our backs. Thanks to the center of gravity being very close to the body and the well-functioning shoulder, chest and hip straps, you practically melt into the backpack. All in all, this is certainly one of the most comfortable backpacks I have ever strapped on for a descent. Not to mention with a fully-fledged airbag system!

With a little effort and combinatorial skills, it all fits in...

Daniel Schweiss

Conclusion

The "Mammut Ultraligt Removable Airbag 3.0" would probably not even have been considered in my personal evaluation of an airbag backpack. It would have been too small and too specific for my needs. After a few tours and freeride days, however, I have come to appreciate it. On day tours that don't require any technical equipment other than crampons, it's now my first choice. For freeriding anyway, of course. The low weight and very high carrying comfort combined with a fully-fledged airbag system make it an ideal companion for more demanding and altitude-intensive tours. Anyone interested in this backpack should be aware of its limited pack size. Nevertheless, there is room for everything you need. The user-friendliness of the compartment, which is only accessible via the back section, takes some getting used to and requires a little more "planning" in advance if you don't always want to take the backpack off straight away. For example, always having a bar in your trouser pocket instead of in your backpack or a hydration bladder instead of a thermos flask...

For me personally, one of the biggest advantages is the option of integrating the RAS airbag unit into a larger RAS-compatible backpack. Especially for the upcoming spring ski touring season with multi-day, high alpine tours, you no longer have to do without the plus in terms of safety. Overall, this backpack remains a specialist for users who consciously accept low weight at the expense of ease of use, robustness and packing volume.

Advantages and disadvantages

+ Attractive, simple design
+ Very low weight incl. full airbag unit
+ high carrying comfort
+ airbag unit interchangeable with compatible backpacks
+ handy ski attachment
+ integrated seat pad
- limited packing volume
- inner compartment only accessible via back section

Details

RRP: €570.00
Weight: 1510 g (incl. carbon cartridge)
. carbon cartridge)
Volume: 20 l
Color: dark cyan
Material: 100D Nylon Cordura Dobby Ripstop
Airbag unit: Removable Airbag System 3.0
Diagonal ski attachment
Ice axe / pole holder
Side compression straps
Rear, fully zippered access to the main compartment
Hydration system compatible
Removable back pad and can be used as a seat pad

Here is the link to the Mammut website with further information. Here you can buy the backpack from our partner store Bergzeit.de.

This product was provided to PowderGuide by the manufacturer free of charge for testing. Find out how we tested it in our test statement.

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This article has been automatically translated by DeepL with subsequent editing. If you notice any spelling or grammatical errors or if the translation has lost its meaning, please write an e-mail to the editors.

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