Gear reviews | Mammut Pro R.A.S. ready avalanche backpack

The Pro R.A.S. ready is described by Mammut itself as a professional backpack. R.A.S. stands for Removable Airbag System. This means that the airbag can be installed and removed very quickly. This means that the backpack can also be used very well without an airbag, or the airbag can be built into a smaller backpack! It is described as a professional model, as it was specially developed for mountain guides. In other words, there are many attachment options and with its 45 liters it offers plenty of space for various equipment.

Overview

Very robust and well thought-out backpack with a few fine extras! A 6 mm aluminum U-frame holds the backpack in place and prevents it from collapsing. Tidiness is half the battle and there are plenty of storage options to make life on the mountain more pleasant. However, I would particularly like to highlight the rear access to the main compartment.

The layout

A front pocket for avalanche safety equipment with an extra large flap on the zipper so that it can be opened quickly with gloves in an emergency. Inside there is also an SOS label with emergency instructions.
The large main compartment can be opened completely from the back and from the top. There is also a compartment for the hydration bladder on the side of the main compartment, although this is very small and I never used it.
A top pocket, which is very spacious and allows quick access to goggles etc.
Additional side pockets on the right and left; practical for crampons, skins or a water bottle.
A hip belt pocket for a small camera, energy bar or knife.

The fastenings

Ski holder diagonal: the size can be adjusted on the lower flap. Works quickly and easily. When it is not needed, the lower strap can be stored in the backpack.
Board or snowshoes are strapped on vertically using the snowboard holder. The holder must be attached separately, but makes a solid impression.
Two ice tools can be attached and the two lower straps of the holders can be stored when not in use. The holder can also be used for trekking poles.
The helmet holder has a snow guard and can be completely removed when not in use.

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The carrying system

The shoulder straps are normally adjustable and equipped with aluminum buckles so that the backpack cannot be torn off your shoulders in the event of an avalanche. The trigger for the airbag is located in the left shoulder strap, which can be folded away very practically and stored in the zipper flap of the carrier. The handle is barely noticeable when carrying the backpack.
The wide hip belt can be removed and is closed with an aluminum buckle.
The safety leg loop is adjustable in length and can be removed.

Material

The backpack feels very robust and of high quality, which is further enhanced by the aluminum buckles. The main material used is 420D Nylon Tritan Ripstop, which is extremely abrasion-resistant and has a 10,000 mm water column.

Carrying comfort

The thermo-molded back padding makes the backpack very comfortable to carry. I used it for ski touring and freeriding and was very satisfied. Especially the two compression straps on the sides, which allow you to lash the backpack very slim when it's not completely full. I never noticed the size of 45 liters negatively when skiing.

I always used the backpack with an airbag and of course the weight of almost 2.7 kg is noticeable. Especially on long ski tours with a lot of vertical meters. However, I've always been happy to accept this, because after all, it's all about my safety!

Conclusion

I used an airbag backpack for the first time this season. As I work as a photographer and am always out and about on the mountain with photographic equipment, an airbag backpack was out of the question for me. For one thing, I already have enough to lug around and for another, I always found it too inconvenient to get to my camera gear. Now with the Pro R.A.S. ready, however, new possibilities have opened up. For example, I was able to insert my 12 L EVOC camera block into the backpack in such a way that I could access my camera equipment perfectly and quickly via the back access. So I finally had a photo backpack with an Aribag and all the features that an alpine backpack needs. There is really very little to fault with the backpack. The only thing that bothered me was the small compartment for the hydration bladder, but you can really live with that when you consider all the other advantages. For me, the R.A.S. is a great concept, because it means the backpack can be used all year round and you don't have any more loyal outdoor equipment lying around in the closet that is rarely used. So I give this backpack a double thumbs up.

Advantages and disadvantages

+ RAS removable
+ not annoying on the back despite its size
+ hip belt removable
+ very robust
+ can cover a large area of use
+ back section can be opened completely
- weight due to the RAS
- only available in one color

Details

RRP: 240,- € / 320,- CHF (airbag system individually 420,- € / 550,- CHF)
Size: 45 litres
Color: black-smoke
Material: 420D Nylon Tritan Ripstop
Weight: 1840 g without airbag system / 2690 g with
Removable Airbag System ready
Airbag & cartridge not included
Safety leg loop
U-frame aluminum 6 mm, adjustable
Rear, full zip access to the main compartment
Front pocket for avalanche safety equipment
Diagonal, stowable ski attachment
Snowboard holder
Helmet holder with snow protection, stowable
2 holders for ice axe and trekking poles
Attachment option for Mammut® crampon bag
Very large lined head pocket
Detachable, padded hip belt
Hip belt pocket
Side compression straps
SOS label with emergency instructions