Serratus R-60

Fixed suspension minimizes pack play. Main compartment has full length side zip. High tenacity packcloth with cordura reinforced bottom. Thermomolded backpad with snow shedding fabric. Two ice axe loops with velcro shaft holders, crampon patch and crampon/shovel webbing. Top zippered pocket stuffs compressible shells. Zippered pocket under lid stores smaller items and zippered mini pocket inside pack stores wallet, keys, etc.

Not mentioned in catalog description: floating/detachable lid, three compression straps on each side, webbing that cinches over top of pack for quick strapping of shell, skins etc.

Two removable aluminum stays, with framesheet.

Comments: To be honest I've only used this pack twice so far. But I'd like to make clear the reasons that I bought it: at 2.2 kg the suspension seemed lighter than the Arc Teryx Bora series. The spindrift collar comes up pretty high to allow you to really stuff this pack. But if you remove the lid and compress the sides the pack almost becomes day-pack size. This is important when you've got two days of gear for an overnight ski trip, but carry only a shovel, probe, water and skins for the slopes. Also important is that I don't have a down sleeping bag and the tapered design allows wider stuff at the bottom.

I really like the simple shovel webbing attachment. Also, the strap that goes over the top of the pack allows you to strap stuff on quickly without having to fiddle with pockets. Unfortunately, when the pack is stuffed to the max the strap is long enough to only act as a cinch. I've used this pack to drag rock gear to the crags and have realized that a pack smaller than 60L probably wouldn't cut it for me with the activities that I do. If you want a good crossover pack for skiing, mountaineering, cragging, check this one out.