Backpacks are used to pack all the necessary equipment when heading out into the backcountry (BC). Not only are they important for safety, but because you'll be skiing with them on, they also have a major impact on the quality of your skiing. Choosing the right backpack is important to ensure you enjoy BC to the fullest and safely. We asked BC specialists and guides what backpacks they use for one-day tours and what makes them great. There are many points to consider when choosing your next backpack
Makoto Kuroda | Kuroda Mountaineering Office
Versatile and easy to carry
FREERIDER 30 | Deuter
Although it looks simple, it is versatile enough to be used in a variety of situations. This model excels in a modest spec: ease of carrying, which you only realize after a long day. It is also durable enough that it does not suffer from the distortion that is common with lightweight packs. The A-frame makes it easy to carry, so even small or weak people can use it with confidence
When I'm working as a guide, I use the more versatile Freescape Pro 40, and when I'm on a private trip where I can share equipment, I use this more compact model. For women and smaller men, I recommend the women's model SL. (Makoto Kuroda)
Deuter
FREERIDER 30
Capacity: 30 liters
18,700 yen / 4 colors available
Maintaining a consistent shape from top to bottom improves fit and reduces weight while skiing. It also features convenient back access, a large front pocket for storing safety gear, and a top pocket for storing goggles and gear straps. The ski attachment allows for two ways: A-frame or diagonal
◆Official website: https://www.iwatani-primus.co.jp/deuter_alpinesnow/
[Profile]
Makoto Kuroda (Kuroda Mountain Guide Office)
A private guide for small groups, he supports unique mountain trips tailored to each level. He values not only skiing but also the spirit of travel.
http://gravityguides.net/
Hisataka Tanaka | Niseko Mecca
Very easy to use and suitable for serious backcountry skiing
Niravana 30 | MAMMUT
This backpack is versatile and can be used in everything from off-piste skiing to high alpine skiing. It's extremely easy to use, with a well-placed external helmet holder, large, easily accessible pockets for avalanche gear, and the ability to remove the ice axe with a single touch. It's also safe for serious backcountry skiing.
(Hisanori Tanaka)
MAMMUT
Nirvana30
Capacity: 30 liters
23,100 yen / 3 colors available
It offers a variety of features, including full rear access, a jacket carrying system, a front pocket for safety gear, hydration system compatibility, a removable padded hip belt, and an integrated helmet carrier. It also offers an excellent fit and is made with recycled materials. It features two-way ski attachment: A-frame and diagonal
Official website: https://www.mammut.jp/items/2560-00071o
[Profile]
Hisataka Tanaka (Niseko Mecca)
has experience climbing in the mountains of Hokkaido as well as overseas, including climbing in Squamish, BC, Canada, climbing and hiking in the Canadian Rockies, backcountry skiing, and tramping, climbing and backcountry in New Zealand's South Island.
http://www.niseko-mecca.com/
Tomohiro Shakawa ｜COLOR SPORT CLUB
The rigidity reduces strain on the body, allowing you to spend the day in comfort
SHUMARI 35 & 50 ｜ PLUS ONE WORKS
It's simple yet highly versatile. It features dedicated pockets for storing essential backcountry gear, and a roll-up access opening makes it easy to store everything from helmets to crampons, or any additional gear you might have. The backpack's rigidity minimizes the strain on your body caused by carrying it for long periods of time, ensuring a comfortable day
Even when you are forced to change from climbing skins to crampons, the backpack securely holds your skis in place, so you don't even notice the extra weight that would otherwise be added to your back. I also use the SHUMARI 50 (50L).
(Tomohiro Shagawa)
SHUMARI 35
PLUS ONE WORKS
Capacity: 35 liters
25,300 yen / 4 colors available
The bag features a convenient roll-top gear rack and a dedicated compartment for storing safety gear. It also features rear access and a pocket for two pairs of goggles. The shoulder straps and frame are designed to fit the Japanese body type, reducing the weight of the luggage and reducing interference with movement while skiing. The waist harness fits snugly around the pelvis, preventing the luggage from swaying sideways
◆Official website: https://www.full-marks.com/plusoneworks/
[Profile]
Tomohiro Tonegawa (COLOR SPORT CLUB)
A pioneer who built the backcountry scene from the early 90s to the present day. In addition to backcountry guides, COLOR SPORT CLUB also operates a lodge, cafe, and shop. Even after developing the entire Hakuba area, his pioneering work continues to this day.
http://www.colorsportclub.com/
Jun Nagai | JUNRINA mountain service
There are so many good points!
RUSH SK 32 BACKPACK ｜ARC'TERYX
There are many things I like about using it in the mountains
1. It looks cool!
2. It's a backcountry bag designed for balanced and comfortable carrying.
3. It's simple and lightweight, and highly weather-resistant, durable, and waterproof.
4. It has a convenient removable helmet fastening system.
5. The roll-top design allows you to add several liters of extra capacity by rolling it up.
6. The wide side zipper makes it easy to access the contents.
7. You can adjust the attachment of gear using silicone bands, etc.
8. You can choose between short and regular back lengths to suit your body size.
(Jun Nagai)
ARC'TERYX
RUSH SK 32 BACKPACK
Capacity: 32 liters,
36,300 yen / 2 colors available
The roll-top design allows for expansion from 32 liters to a maximum of 40 liters. This new backpack features a strong fabric for increased durability while remaining lightweight. It's optimized for backcountry touring, offering balance, weather resistance, and organization. Skis can be attached to the A-frame
Official website: https://arcteryx.jp/
[Profile]
Jun Nagai (JUNRINA mountain service)
quit his job and worked at Tateyama Raicho-so while undergoing guide training. Since 2010, he has been working as a member of JUNRINA mountain service. Together with his partner Rina, he works as a mountaineering guide, mainly in the Alps and Joshinetsu region in the summer and autumn, and as a backcountry ski guide in the winter and spring.
https://www.junrina.com/
Toyokazu Nakano | Infield
The quality of your skiing will not be affected by your luggage
TARGHEE FASTTRACK 35 | GREGORY
The slim silhouette makes it easy to carry, and the load won't swing around while you're skiing. Another great feature is that it's easy to store avalanche gear like shovels and probes, and it's also easy to access.
(Nakano Toyokazu)
GREGORY
TARGHEE FASTTRACK 35
Capacity: 35 liters,
36,300 yen / 3 colors available
This pack is packed with features, including a Fast Track carry system that lets you attach skis without taking off the pack, a front pocket for avalanche gear for quick access, a full-length side-access zipper with a locking slider, a separate top section for easy access to the contents of the main pack, a helmet carrier, and a shoulder harness compatible with hydration tubes
Official website: https://www.gregory.jp/item/detail/TARGHEE32_F86_1/1017
[Profile]
Toyokazu Nakano (Infield )
He began outdoor activities as a child through the Boy Scouts, and after graduating from high school, he went on to a vocational school to study for national park rangers. After graduating, he discovered the charm of Myoko Kogen and the surrounding area as a field, and moved there. After 10 years as a guide and instructor, he began working as Infield in 2006. He currently works as a backcountry tour guide and telemark ski instructor in the winter, and as a mountaineering/trekking guide and sea kayaking guide in the summer.
https://www.in-field.com
Kenichi Minegishi | Backcountry Guide KinTouN
Very lightweight and easy to pack
Circle 35 | Black Diamond
It's extremely lightweight, makes it easy to pack your gear separately, and the side zippers make it easy to access your gear even with your skis on
The most distinctive feature is the shape of the opening. When you pull the cord, the flap that is integrated with the main body closes like a rain cover. To open it, you simply pull the looped tape, and it opens completely, making it very quick to access the contents of the backpack. This is especially convenient when it's snowing. You can quickly and smoothly take things in and out, so you can work while keeping the contents of the backpack as dry as possible. (Minegishi Kenichi )
Black Diamond
Circle 35
Capacity: 35 liters
24,640 yen / 2 colors available
It features the essential backcountry functionality while maintaining a clean silhouette reminiscent of a climbing pack. It also features a stowable helmet flap, a flexible hip belt, and hydration system compatibility. It also offers two-way ski attachment: A-frame and diagonal
Official website: https://www.lostarrow.co.jp/store/g/gBD46214001004/
[Profile]
Kenichi Minegishi (KinTouN)
was inspired by surfing and discovered the allure of backcountry skiing. He has been a backcountry guide since 2013. "Just like gliding on the waves, which are the energy of nature, I want to ski on natural snow-capped mountains, climb mountains on my own two feet, and ski as I please. It is the risk that gives me a sense of freedom. I want to continue backcountry skiing for the rest of my life."
https://kintoun.jp/
Riki Nakajima | RIKI JAPOW GUIDE
The design is perfect and the capacity is just right
Soulden 32 | Osprey
The design is perfect for everything, including essential rear access, a goggle pocket to prevent scratches, a zippered pocket and gear loops on the hip belt, and dual-position helmet carry, and the capacity is just right.
(Nakajima Chikara)
OSPREY
Soulden 32
Capacity: 32 liters
19,800 yen / 2 colors available
It offers ample capacity and an excellent fit. This popular model is especially popular among users who prioritize skiing. Its excellent balance distributes the load evenly, making it lightweight when worn. It features a two-chamber design with rear access and a rain cover. The waist belt also has a small storage compartment, making it convenient for storing snacks and small items
Official website: https://www.lostarrow.co.jp/store/c/c20/
[Profile]
Riki Nakajima (RIKI JAPOW GUIDE)
While studying abroad in Whistler, Canada, he obtained a CSIA instructor qualification and became the first Japanese person to obtain a CFSA freeski instructor qualification. After participating in numerous freeski competitions, he expanded his activities to the backcountry. He currently provides guided tours and lessons based at Hoshino Resort Tomamu Ski Resort.
https://www.rikijapowguide.com
Hiroki Ito | Vertical Land
Equipped with all the easy-to-use functions specialized for mountain skiing
MATRIX 30 | MILLET
It has all the easy-to-use features specifically designed for ski mountaineering, such as diagonal ski attachment, external storage space for axes and crampons, and a flat silhouette that fits your back
The external crampon pocket and its location. I was once in the middle of a steep slope and had to change from skis to crampons, and it was very helpful to have quick access even in unstable places. The crampon pockets on the side of the backpack also prevent the weight of the crampons from causing me to lose balance while skiing
Axes are also attached to the side, so balance is good when skiing.
I've taken an alpine climbing backpack with me on long mountain trips where I've had to carry skis for long periods of time, but my center of gravity would shift to the rear, and I missed this backpack.
When attaching skis, the contact surface between the backpack and the skis, as well as the straps that secure the skis, are reinforced with rubber, making it highly durable. I've been using it for four or five years now, and it's still going strong with no holes. When climbing with skis on your back or for long periods of time, the edges of the skis often damage the backpack, so this reinforcement is essential if you want to use the backpack for a long time. (Ito Hiroki)
MILLET
MATRIX 30 (reference product)
Capacity: 30 liters
19,800 yen / 2 colors available
The Mobility Back System provides stability and adapts to your movements. The asymmetrical design is highly effective, allowing for diagonal ski attachment without interference with your feet. It also features a helmet holder, crampon pocket, rope holder, and safety gear compartment
◆Official website: https://www.millet.jp/
[Profile]
Yuki Ito (Vertical Land)
He moved to Canada at the age of 21 and began skiing seriously. He was influenced by North American ski culture and local skiers, and at the same time, he became interested in mountain skiing. After graduating from Yamnuska Mountaineering School, he returned to Japan and joined a mountaineering club to learn more about the mountains. He became independent and opened his own business in January 2020. His guide concept is "More mountains in your life."
https://www.verticalland.jp/
Yuu Takeo｜Bantei ～bamboo tail～
Reduces the risk of being buried in the event of an avalanche
FLOAT 32 ｜BCA
A backpack equipped with an airbag. In the unlikely event of an avalanche, you are less likely to be buried. Many skiers and snowboarders from Europe and the United States use airbag backpacks, but they are not yet widely used in Japan. I hope that awareness of risk avoidance on snowy mountains will increase and more people in Japan will use them. With this message in mind, I actively use them as a guide.
(Takeo Yuu)
BCA
FLOAT 32
a 32-liter capacity. The unit and cylinder set cost
106,700 yen
. The air pressure drives a turbine inside the unit, drawing in surrounding air and opening the balloon at the top of the backpack, creating buoyancy and reducing the risk of being buried deep inside. The mechanical trigger makes it easy to feel the action. Available in 12, 22, 32, and 42 liters.
◆Official website: http://www.k2japan.com/brand/bca.html
[Profile]
Yu TAKEO (Bamboo Tail) has
been a guide for 20 years. He uses his nearly 30 years of snowboarding experience to share the joys of backcountry riding. He is also committed to promoting backcountry safety through activities such as developing beacon checkers and holding beginner seminars.
https://bambootail.com/
Iwao Saeki | Tyrol
It has many excellent features and is easy to use for both skiing and snowboarding
STASH30｜BCA
Access from the back panel is very easy.
The back panel, shoulder straps, and the inside of the waist belt (the side that touches the body) are made of smooth, fine-grained material, which prevents snow from adhering and freezes easily. The height of the waist belt can be adjusted to fit your body perfectly. Even when fully loaded, there is still enough space for avalanche gear, so you can even store climbing skins. It has many excellent features, making it easy to use for both skiing and snowboarding.
And the 30-liter capacity is just the right size for those who will use it throughout the season. It is recommended for group leaders and others who need to carry emergency supplies.
(Saeki Iwao)
BCA
STASH 30
Capacity: 30L
24,200 yen / Available in 2 colors
Zippered back panel access, option to carry ice axes, skis, snowboards, fleece goggle pocket, dehumidification holes, and most importantly, an anti-freeze stash hydration sleeve, and another sleeve that can be equipped with a BC link
◆Official website: http://www.k2japan.com/brand/bca.html
[Profile]
Iwao Saeki (Tyrol)
He has been fond of mountain climbing and skiing since he was a child. He participated in the Inter-High School Championships in competitive skiing during his junior and senior high school years. He then became absorbed in competitive canoeing. After winning a prize at the National Athletic Meet, he returned to the mountain climbing world. He is best known for being a mountain ski guide. He supported the filming of the movie "Tsurugi-dake: Ten no Ki" as a mountain guide.
http://www.t-tyrol.com/index.html
Jun Horie | Backcountry Glide Niseko
BCA
STASH 30
Capacity: 30L
24,200 yen / Available in two colors
Zipper back panel access (except Stash 20), option to carry ice axes, skis or snowboards, fleece goggle pocket, dehumidification holes and the most importantly anti-freeze Stash hydration sleeve, with another sleeve that can be fitted with a BC link
◆Official website: http://www.k2japan.com/brand/bca.html
[Profile]
Jun Horie (Backcountry Glide Niseko )
He traveled to Austria in search of skiing techniques and lived in Tyrol for 15 years. He is a ski instructor and guide. When skiing, he is particular about leaning outward according to the situation, the quality of his switching depending on the situation, and thoroughly sticking to the foul line on the slope.
http://bcglide.com/
This is how a professional guide uses his backpack!
We asked him to show us the contents of his favorite backpack.
We asked Iwao Saeki and Jun Horie, two of the backcountry guides introduced in this article, to show us what kind of equipment they pack in their backpacks and show us the contents of their packs. The backpacks they used on Mt. Tateyama in May were both BCA STASH30s. While the equipment used in the spring season is slightly different from that used in the dead of winter, the video gives a clear understanding of the essential equipment and the pack's capacity and storage capacity
