Gear reviews | Arc'teryx Voltair 20

First impression

The small backpack comes in inconspicuous black, with some color accents that catch the eye. The tarpaulin-like, waterproof and very robust AC² material is familiar to me from the Arrakis models, which are unfortunately no longer in production, and is simply great (and yes, it is waterproof and really does last forever).
A closer look at the airbag system quickly reveals that a lot of thought has been put into it. Everything is optimally stowed away and the system hardly takes up any space in the backpack, which is not a matter of course for airbag backpacks. The flat battery is solidly stowed on the back panel and thus ensures a favorable center of gravity, the airbag and the Venturi unit for inflating it are surprisingly space-saving. The release handle, which at first glance seems a little strange, proves to be very practical and easy to grip. The leg loop is also an ingenious solution; it is simply clipped to the right-hand part of the hip belt using a small carabiner, which eliminates annoying threading and also allows the backpack to be put on and taken off without having to open and close the leg loop.

Once the battery is charged and the airbag system is armed (switch on the battery and handle set to "On"), the airbag is easy to deploy with a firm pull on the handle and inflates really quickly with a deafening noise. The airbag surrounds the head from the sides, which restricts the field of vision slightly, but also offers the head some protection.

In general, the backpack has a rather minimalist design. The storage space is accessible via a somewhat short zipper and is just enough for the essentials. When I attached my jacket to the outside on the ascent, the backpack was enough for day trips. In addition to the compartment for safety equipment, which is located inside the backpack, there is a small inner pocket for valuables and two straps on the outside for attaching whatever no longer fits in the backpack.

Tester and test conditions

I ski a lot and also go on many ski tours, but so far I have mostly been out and about without an airbag backpack. Not because I think it's a bad idea or shy away from the extra weight, but simply because the majority of airbags are unfortunately installed in backpacks that are not very suitable (in my opinion). I was able to test the Arc'teryx Voltair 20 extensively to find out that this is not the case and one thing up front: I would be reluctant to give the backpack back. I have been using it since mid-February 2017 and have tested it on numerous days in the ski resort and on ski tours. It was actually used in all the conditions you can imagine in a ski season. Only for long ski tours where glacier equipment is necessary was the small Voltair too small for me.

The airbag is easy to deploy with a tug on the handle and inflates really quickly, although it should be noted that this happens with quite a lot of noise. Once inflated, the airbag is supplied with air by the system for some time and thus kept inflated. The air is deflated manually by inserting a small plastic tube, which initially seems a little impractical, but in principle works without any problems. With a little tamping, the airbag is then quickly stowed back in its compartment and ready for the next use.

While the backpack is really convincing, I do have to criticize one detail. Unfortunately, carrying skis on the backpack is rather suboptimal. Of course, you can attach the skis to the straps at the back, but they don't really fit well there, and with my usual touring luggage, space is really tight, as the jacket and helmet are already attached to the outside at the back. Of course, short ascents with skis on the backpack are no problem, but longer ascents with skis on the back, snow-free approaches in spring or couloir ascents are simply not as comfortable. Of course, these undertakings are not within the Voltair 20's core area of expertise, but due to its fairly wide range of uses, I would still tackle them with it if the skis could be attached better.

Finally, the general advantages of the electrically operated airbag system should not go unmentioned. The fact that the airbag can be deployed several times and deployment is not associated with any effort or costs means that there is no inhibition threshold when practising, so the procedure is easy to memorize. In addition, there should be fewer problems when traveling by air (be careful, the battery has to go in your hand luggage) than with an airbag system that requires you to carry a cartridge with high pressure. The system is charged relatively quickly and you can deploy it several times without any problems.

Conclusion

Despite the minor disadvantages mentioned, the backpack is really top for me. Thanks to the combination of high wearing comfort, well thought-out details and robust material, it is right at the forefront of airbag backpacks. Due to its small size, it is mainly used for freeriding in the ski area, but on ski tours I have to take a closer look at the equipment I am carrying. The backpack is sufficient for normal day tours, but I would also like to see a larger version here.

Advantages

• Relatively light

• Very easy to carry

• Excellent leg loop solution

• Rugged and waterproof material

Disadvantages

• Few pockets and compartments

• Very expensive

Details

RRP €1150.-
Internal safety pocket
Waterproof inner sleeve for shovel, probe, saw and skins
Multiple deployment capability also allows for training and trial applications
System provides additional airflow to keep the airbag fully inflated even with minor tears
Battery allows multiple deployments without the need to recharge; suitable for air travel and works in temperatures as low as -30°C
Glove-friendly, single-leg safety loop with waistbelt carabiner allows for quicker clothing changes
Battery (sold separately) can be easily removed for airplane transport or replacement
Mechanical trigger for easy, intuitive deployment can be used while traveling or on the go, intuitive deployment can be locked in the off position during travel or lift rides
Advanced Composite Construction (AC²) with seam sealing for superior water resistance
The Voltair system can be inflated quickly thanks to a rechargeable fan with lithium-ion polymer battery

Here is the link to the Arc'teryx website with more information.

The backpack was loaned to PowderGuide.com by the manufacturer for the test period. You can find out how we tested it in our test statement.