Ferrino Skylite HL 45

Ferrino

Sky Lite HL 45

Great technical day / ski trip / weekend pack

Rating 9

This is a great pack made by a company that most of us probably don't even know about. They have been in business since 1870 so they know a little bit about packs. I took the pack on a week long ski trip (6 day trips) to Colorado and it performed excellent. This pack is very lightweight (2 lbs 3 oz) and is very non restrictive. My skiing ability was not compromised at all. In fact, at times I forgot I was wearing it. The dual material webbed shoulder straps and hip belt allow the pack to be carried very close to the body, and the Equalized Back Pressure System only allows three areas of the padding to touch the back making for great ventilation. It is a single top loading compartment design but it also has a zipper on the front near the bottom that allows access to the lower compartment (formed by a drawstring inside). The ski attachment system is great too. Ferrino makes othe packs that ahve side ski attachments but I like the skis together on the back of the pack. I'm not sure if they intended the Sky Lite to carry skis but when they were on the pack, my calves were not bruised and the skis were very stable.

Simple design, sleek lines, fits well into the small of your back and holds a ton of stuff. I would reccomend it for people who are interested in a day pack for summer days, weekends, or to hit the slopes for one or two days. I have yet to take it for a weekend but I'm sure that when I do it will perform great. Here's how you get it: http://www.ferrino.it (take a look at their new stuff...up to 5000 cu in and some very interesting designs.)

http://www.backcountry-equipment.com (a great mail order company in San Antonio, TX that sells with no tax and FREE shipping, NO KIDDING!)

Craig Mielke

416 N. Chauncey Ave.

West Lafayette, IN 47906

cmielke@purdue.edu