The Mammut Spindrift Ski Pack is full of hidden features that won’t just keep your gear organized, but also makes access a dream.

This 32L pack is a good choice for any skier or snowboarder looking for an all-around ski/ski mountaineering day pack. This bag is not the lightest, so not for race training. Nor is it the heavy workhorse a ski guide would want. Packed full of features, the Spindrift is designed for the everyday backcountry user.

Specs:

• Volume: 32 L
• Weight: 1190g
• Integrated helmet holder with extra volume (+2L)
• Ski carrier system on the side
• Hip belt pocket
• External zippered weatherproof compartment
• Compatible with hydration system
• Side compression straps
• Ice axe and trekking pole attachments
• Snowboard support
• Diagonal binding for skis
• Front pocket for personal avalanche equipment

 

Features:

The Mammut Spindrift 32L Ski Pack has the perfect number of features for an all-around backcountry touring bag.

There is a zip around the entire front side of the pack giving easy access to the main compartment. While this makes the pack easy to get in to, I do find that you can accidentally open the pack a little too much. Plus it’s a little hard to close if you have it filled up! Unfortunately the compression/A-frame ski straps on the side of the bag can block the zipper. If you have your skis strapped to the pack and need something from inside, get ready to take the skis off.

Normally one of the first things I do with packs is rip out the annoying, pretty useless frame inside. However, I found the lightweight aluminum frame in the Spindrift helped with load distribution, and I was happy to have it. When skinning or skiing the bag is comfy and evenly loaded. The straps are angled just right with a supportive waist strap.

The Spindrift also has an avalanche pocket which is, in my opinion, a must-have for any ski pack. In the event you need to access your shovel or probe you don’t want to find yourself digging through your pack, dropping personal items all over the snow. Like most of the Mammut ski pack line, the Spindrift has its own avalanche pouch neatly kept in the outer section of the pack.

The Mammut Spindrift has a variety of ski attachment options for when you are boot packing up to those more serious lines. Most skiers will A-Frame their skis on the side of their pack. The straps on the side of the Spindrift act as both compression straps and attachments for A-Framing skis. It also has the ability to cross-strap skis on diagonally, and straps on the back for snowboards.

A helmet holder is a great touch for keeping everything secure when skinning or boot packing. It can also double as a jacket/puffy holder, adding about 2L of storage to the bag. A small goggle pouch can also be found on the top of the pack.

Lastly, the snack pocket really takes things home. Others will call this a good place for a GPS or camera, but it’s not recommended. Having a GPS or other electronic device that close to your beacon can create interference. It’s best to keep other gadgets in leg pockets, that way you can fill this waist strap with snacks to keep you fueled for whatever adventure you are on.

Summary:

Pros:

• Perfect day size pack
• Well balanced
• Easy to organize
• No extra “useless” features

Cons:

• The main zipper can be hard to close
• When skis are in A-Frame, pack is hard to open
• When opening, the “back” side of the pack goes into the snow (annoying when the snow is wet)

Overall: A sleek and well thought out ski-specific pack for day tripping in the backcountry.

We were provided with a test sample but of course this didn’t influence us in any way.