Gear Review | POC Dimension Avalanche Backpack

First impression

Orange! The colour really can't be overlooked and dominates the first impression. It is also noticeable that the backpack has many different compartments and pockets. Recently, the trend has been towards simpler backpacks with a main compartment, a security compartment and perhaps another compartment for small items. The Dimension Backpack has much more to offer. There are:

Main compartment
Goggle compartment
Key compartment (or for similar small items)
Special compartment in the main compartment (according to the manufacturer for the first aid pack)
Compartment for shovel and probe made of extra durable material
Detached front pocket with holes for wet skins (the holes are intended to ensure that the moisture can escape)
Also, of course, the compartment containing the airbag balloon, that the wetness can escape)
In addition, of course, the compartment in which the airbag balloon is located. You don't normally have to reach it and I only found the charging cable for the rucksack hidden here after the first test deployment.

Otherwise, the backpack has the usual backpack features. According to the manufacturer's website, there is a carabiner on the shoulder strap to which you can attach a water bottle. I wouldn't have noticed it, but I don't miss it either. The height of the airbag deployment handle can be adjusted with a bit of tinkering. The drive for the airbag system is positioned in a neoprene cover in the main compartment. You have to open the cover (zip) to install the batteries, plug in the charging cable and operate the on/off lever. A mesh window with zip allows you to check from the outside: if a small light occasionally flashes green, the backpack is on. With a total weight of 3150g (manufacturer's specification), the rucksack is rather heavy compared to models of a similar size from other brands. The airbag system without the backpack weighs 1140g.

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Second, third, fourth impression

Pack your rucksack

According to the manufacturer, the Dimension Backpack has a capacity of 25 litres. This makes it seem rather large and bulky, which is mainly due to the rather rigid, rectangular shape. As is usual with airbags, the airbag system is initially a bit in the way and you have to pack around it. I can fit my usual gear for day trips, but nothing more. If you want to put a slightly thicker insulating jacket and perhaps a camera in the backpack, it quickly becomes cramped. The many special compartments are then also no longer usable, as the rigid shape hardly gives way when the rucksack is stuffed fully. The volume seems ideal for freeriding in the ski area, but I would prefer a little more space for touring.

To switch on the rucksack, you have to open the cover around the airbag system and operate a lever. This is best done when the backpack is empty and you are sitting at home in the dry. If the rucksack is already full, you have to more or less empty it in order to reach the lever. The function of the lever is somewhat unintuitive and takes some getting used to, as only a combination of pulling and turning leads to the desired result.

In the snow

The rucksack sits and wears well. When riding, it sits well on the back and doesn't slip around. I find the buckles and the adjustment options for the hip and chest straps suboptimal. The latter in particular seems unnecessarily difficult to operate. You have to be very precise when wearing gloves. As is usual with airbags, the buckle on the hip belt is also somewhat awkward and difficult to operate with thick gloves. A lot of fine-tuning is also required to make the belt tighter or wider. It is not enough to simply pull on it. I find this particularly annoying on ski tours, as I often wear a few layers less on the ascent and tighten the harness accordingly than on the descent with a thick jacket. The ski carrying system and helmet holder are functional. Ice axe loops are available and also seem suitable for their purpose, but I didn't try them out during the test period due to a lack of sensible conditions for ski tours with ice axe use.

Other

I've got used to the bright orange colour by now and I can see that the increased visibility has safety-relevant advantages. If you still want something more discreet, you can get the backpack in black as an alternative.

I like the Alpride E2 system and I appreciate being able to do test deployments without having to deal with a cartridge. The instructions supplied explain how to deflate the balloon after deployment and how to get it back into the backpack correctly. This is not necessarily obvious without the instructions, so - as in other situations - it is better to read the instructions beforehand.

Conclusion

Interesting airbag, especially for freeride use. Not lightweight, but relatively robust. I haven't seen any signs of wear after about 15 days of use. The compartment layout is a matter of taste. Fewer would be enough for me, but others will certainly see it differently.

Advantages & disadvantages

+ Electronic airbag system allows repeated (test) deployments

+ robust material

- expensive

- Rather heavy

Information on

RRP €1.300,-

Recco reflector

Travel Easy: No lithium-ion batteries and no pyrotechnics

Compartment for safety equipment

Water repellent

Holders for skis, snowboard and helmet

Goggle bag

Here is the link to the POC website with further information.

The backpack was provided to PowderGuide free of charge by the manufacturer for the duration of the test. You can find out how we tested it in our test statement.