Patagonia PowSlayer Ski and Snowboard Pack

I waited above the powdery curler whereas a number of snowboarders and skiers in my crew dropped one after the other down the brief, open pitch. Every rider ollied, popping a couple of ft above the contemporary snow earlier than falling out of view. Our group of testers met in Silverton, Colo., to grind vertically in Patagonia’s new head-to-toe package, which included one in every of my favourite items — the PowSlayer ski backpack.

Whereas ski touring and descending north-facing slopes, we’d discovered a powder stash within the pines.

“That appears like enjoyable!” I believed earlier than coaxing my board ahead towards the untouched slope. However as soon as airborne, I spotted a tragic miscalculation amid my powder fever. I ought to’ve stacked my line to the left. Because it was, I landed in a huge gap, caught my nostril, and tomahawked.

The excellent news? My PowSlayer pack shortly and simply shed the heavy snow. The again panel is made with materials that doesn’t maintain sticky snow, and that dries shortly — one of many many meticulous particulars that the design squad added to this bag.

In brief: Streamlined and cozy for full-day ski excursions, the 30L Patagonia PowSlayer Pack ($249) is new for 2025-26 and launches in October. It replaces the SnowDrifter pack and is loaded with detailed upgrades. Probably the most noteworthy components embrace an array of pockets and an adaptable helmet carry. The pack additionally has each sort of strap configuration for carrying skis or a snowboard together with diagonal, A-frame, and vertical. Supplied in a single 30L quantity throughout three sizes (small, medium, giant), the pack will likely be out there in two colours: black or Barnacle Blue, the colour that I examined and photographed.

Learn the total lineup of ski pack choices in the Greatest Ski Backpacks purchaser’s information.

Patagonia PowSlayer Ski Backpack: Testing Circumstances

For a couple of days in March, I joined a gaggle of specialists in Silverton, Colo., to check Patagonia’s latest innovation for winter shredders: The PowSlayer package, together with the PowSlayer Pack. The crew included out of doors trade media, attire designers, and athletes from round North America.

First, I examined the PowSlayer package at Silverton Mountain, booting alongside ridgelines with a snowboard strapped to the pack. The day entailed 2,400 vertical ft and 10 miles. The situations have been heat, starting from 20 to 40 levels sans wind, and largely sunny. Nice climate endured the subsequent day whereas ski touring 2,000 vertical ft and three.7 miles outdoors of city.

A few days later, I wore the PowSlayer Pack on a ski tour in Colorado’s Elk Mountains, climbing 3,000 ft and protecting 5.5 miles in a blustery, frigid snowstorm. I additionally selected this pack for a sunny spring day of backcountry cat snowboarding, which totaled greater than 6,600 ft and 16.2 miles. Altogether, this preliminary area time coated greater than 16 hours.

PowSlayer Pack: An Built-in Package Design

Whereas in Silverton, I discovered that growing a ski pack alongside the attire helped the designers place the straps — for the chest, shoulders, and hip — in a method that doesn’t intervene. This implies the pack doesn’t block pockets, zippers, or adjustment straps when a skier is decked out and on the go.

It’s not usually {that a} model releases an deliberately built-in assortment. Along with the pack, each merchandise within the lineup — the bottom layers, midlayer, outer layers, and insulation items — is likewise designed to suit seamlessly and work collectively. Easy but impactful, the eye to element ranges from the stacked cuffs and hoods to the insulation and pockets.

It’s been 8 years since this freeride ski and snowboard package was final revamped, and that is the fourth iteration, confirmed Senior Product Line Supervisor Eric Wallis.

Number of Pockets

One of many standout particulars of the PowSlayer Pack? Its helpful pockets.

I admire it when a ski pack has two sizable hip belt pockets. I want versatility and ease of use over minuscule weight financial savings. Whereas these two pouches aren’t spacious sufficient for a big telephone, they will match a pile of snacks, cosmetics, and smaller instruments.

The highest pocket, aka the mind, is roomier than most. This cover was upgraded from the SnowDrifter pack.

Inside, the snow-tool compartment — likewise accessed by way of a high zipper — is roomy. Three devoted columns are on the inside sleeve. It was fairly simple to suit my shovel deal with, blade, probe, and snow noticed inside.

Towards the inside again panel is a sleeve for stuffing free comfortable items like mittens or preserving a hydration reservoir. However there’s no port for routing a hose to the outside. It is a unfavourable for many who might wish to use a water bladder, a small group for a product meant for use in below-freezing situations. A small pocket with a zipper closure hangs from the highest of the again panel, too.

Adaptable Carry Techniques

The PowSlayer Pack is constructed with almost each sort of carry configuration for a snowboard, splitboard, or skis. The one choice lacking is a horizontal snowboard carry.

You may mount skis or splitboard skis in an A-frame or diagonal fashion. After I was booting up steep, rocky ridges at Silverton Mountain, I used to be blissful to have a vertical snowboard carry. That method, I may get pleasure from a snowboard (versus a splitboard) on the zone’s steep runs and throughout variable snow.

One other element price spotlighting is the adjustable helmet carry. The mesh hammock is flippable and attaches to the highest or entrance of the pack. I used to be in a position to carry my helmet on the pack’s crown when my snowboard was vertically strapped. After I was ski touring, I hooked up my ski helmet to the entrance of the pack.

The aspect compression straps may also be used to hold three-piece splitboard poles. Supporting a clear operation, the straps additionally tuck properly into garages.

Considerate Area, Again Panel, Carry Loop

The up to date again panel is streamlined, light-weight, and has a lean cushion. The pack’s general form helps an environment friendly vary of motion. The shoulder straps and hipbelt carry weight properly and are pretty comfy.

I discovered that the fabric used for the again panel made an enormous distinction in my expertise as a result of snow wouldn’t persist with it. As somebody who sweats on the skintrack, I additionally preferred that the fabric shortly dried.

I really like the big fastened carry loop on the high of the pack. I may simply seize the pack to load it into the truck mattress or after I was loading the raise at Silverton Mountain. There are two extra giant fastened loops in entrance of the twin hip belt pockets, which is a pleasant utilitarian contact.

With a boxier silhouette, I discovered that the pack simply expanded — particularly within the backside corners — and will match a somewhat giant quantity of substances.

Critiques

Probably the most noteworthy critique I’ve is that the 2 zippers on the again panel have been a bit sluggish to open when the temps sat between 10 and 20 levels, particularly when it was windy and snowy. In any other case, the beefy zips have been simple to open and shut.

Additionally, I wouldn’t describe this pack as having an articulated again panel nor does it supply lumbar assist or very a lot cushion. Subject professionals or riders who want to hold a heavy load may discover the shortage of assist, particularly if they have a tendency to have shoulder or again ache.

Whereas the again panel is made with materials that dries shortly, the again panel will not be suspended off the again. Ski tourers who are likely to sweat may want a unique again panel design.

Different riders may not like being pigeonholed into accessing the first compartment from the again. Sometimes, I wanted to put the pack down within the snow to unzip the panel. On deeper days, snow would get stuffed round my helmet.

Patagonia PowSlayer Pack: Who It’s For

The Patagonia PowSlayer is a full redesign of the SnowDrifter, and it’s loaded with considerate design particulars. With a 30Lr quantity, this pack is nice for full-day ski excursions.

This touring pack can match meals, water, rescue, and security gear, together with a beacon, shovel, and probe. It will probably additionally match a snow noticed, radio, bivy, medical package, and extra. I loved utilizing this pack for bootpacking at Silverton Mountain. I additionally preferred this pack for longer, extra distant backcountry excursions.

For me, the checklist of standout options of this ski and snowboard pack is lengthy. I actually dug the adaptable helmet carry and twin hip belt pockets. I preferred the big high pocket, spacious fastened carry loops, in addition to the varied carry straps for skis or a stable snowboard.

In the end, the PowSlayer is gentle, comfy, ergonomic, and environment friendly to make use of. Until you’re knowledgeable that wants an excellent roomier pack otherwise you want a brilliant cushioned ski pack, don’t overlook the Patagonia PowSlayer as your on a regular basis driver for backcountry excursions.