EzLounging

this [ak] pack caught my eye earlier this season. kind of a vest/backpack hybrid. the straps are more like a runners hydration vest, and the actual pack is very low profile.

https://www.burton.com/us/en/p/ak-surge ... 32531.html

straps weren’t adjustable enough for my midwest farmers build shoulders, but would def be an option for more standard sized humans.

coleslawed wrote: ↑Sun Mar 05, 2023 7:55 am this [ak] pack caught my eye earlier this season. kind of a vest/backpack hybrid. the straps are more like a runners hydration vest, and the actual pack is very low profile.

https://www.burton.com/us/en/p/ak-surge ... 32531.html

straps weren’t adjustable enough for my midwest farmers build shoulders, but would def be an option for more standard sized humans.

I was intrigued by this thing and went down a little rabbit hole... think it's too casual for riders.

Weight is listed at 1.4 lbs, which is REALLY light. The lightest minimalist touring packs around 20L I know of are around 2 lbs, and those are super minimalist... my Whatvest weighs ~3.2 lbs, the Dakine Poacher's listed at 3.2, my Burton ak 33L pack's listed at 3.4. Feature-set also looks more like a casual hiking pack, or a super lightweight climbing pack: no compression straps, no waist belt. All that tells me this is going to carry weight and ride like crap because it has no structure and security.

I think for SUPER casual users it might work as a snow pack, but I wouldn't trust this thing hold a pointy metal/carbon rod or a metal blade it while potentially doing in-bounds tomahawks... much less if I'm headed out from a trailhead.

I'm frankly surprised surprised it carries the [ak] label brand, but looks like the Surgence jacket is more a lightweight technical trail jacket than a riding shell. Feels like brand dilution...

that must not be designed for snowboarding as it has no carry straps

sidenote: I ordered the Dakine Poacher vest, there was a deal for it ($150), would have loved to try it on but none of my local shops carry any backcountry related stuff

kimchi wrote: ↑Thu Mar 02, 2023 11:37 pm

benjinyc wrote: ↑Thu Mar 02, 2023 7:24 am anyone have a good resort/side-country backpack recommendation?, the closest I'm seeing is a Dakine Helipro 12L. I wore my 25L AK backpack in Taos last week which was a bit much as I only was carrying a shovel, probe.

External shovel blade carry on the Helipro 12L is disqualifying for me, YMMV.

I like my Whatvest a lot. Pricy, but I wanted a vest and higher visibility colors than the black of the Dakine and Volcom options-- I wish this colorway was available when I purchased lol.

I have about 20L capacity, but feel way more balanced than riding with a pack. Everything sits closer to my center of gravity, more pockets is useful, and the vest just distributes weight more evenly. Comfortable enough that I ride it cruising around inbounds on pow days. It's also my primary "pack" for splitboarding, I don't ride with a my ~30-ish L AK pack unless I have bigger objectives and feel like I need more gear.

Really interested to hear about your WhatVest. Which one do you have, the Full one or the Side Hustle? I am choosing between the WhatVest and the Volcom (had the original Dakine before). I am concerned that the WhatVest is too big/has too much capacity in the backpack section and not as streamlined. And how well does the internal hip belt work?

I want a vest mostly to always have my avy gear with me (for side country/slack country hits - if I am heading into the back country I will have a real backpack with proper harness/straps/etc.) and expect to mostly use the pockets on the front.

kimchi wrote: ↑Fri Mar 03, 2023 4:25 pm [...]
Whatvest is only marginally more expensive than the Volcom Vest... which infuriatingly also has external shovel carry (and not water bladder compatibility).

Pretty sure the Volcom has the shovel internally and only the handle externally (which I see no issue with) Am I missing something?

Just received XL longo jacket & XL "L" pants. Love the longo fit in this size - slightly longer than large regular-fit gore jackets (L and stone) and probably a normal size wider. Hangs great - love being back in the true baggy realm. The wrist gaiters don't have a thumb hole, but I can see how they'll work. Might alter the inner snap goggle pocket to be zippered or velcro. Had to make a headphone cord hole - I guess they assume everyone's moved to bluetooth, which is probably true.

Previous military color was much more of a dark army. I like both. Dark (OG) looks slightly off in photo, but you get the idea.

All three teak variations in the L pant. Dark, original (middle) and new teak (lightest). Colors are close to true in photo. Don't think the XL is gonna work, really just because theit overbuilt thigh vents make them hang weird on me in this size, while not as much with larges. Oh well.

sunokeru wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 4:16 am

kimchi wrote: ↑Thu Mar 02, 2023 11:37 pm

benjinyc wrote: ↑Thu Mar 02, 2023 7:24 am anyone have a good resort/side-country backpack recommendation?, the closest I'm seeing is a Dakine Helipro 12L. I wore my 25L AK backpack in Taos last week which was a bit much as I only was carrying a shovel, probe.

External shovel blade carry on the Helipro 12L is disqualifying for me, YMMV.

I like my Whatvest a lot. Pricy, but I wanted a vest and higher visibility colors than the black of the Dakine and Volcom options-- I wish this colorway was available when I purchased lol.

I have about 20L capacity, but feel way more balanced than riding with a pack. Everything sits closer to my center of gravity, more pockets is useful, and the vest just distributes weight more evenly. Comfortable enough that I ride it cruising around inbounds on pow days. It's also my primary "pack" for splitboarding, I don't ride with a my ~30-ish L AK pack unless I have bigger objectives and feel like I need more gear.

Really interested to hear about your WhatVest. Which one do you have, the Full one or the Side Hustle? I am choosing between the WhatVest and the Volcom (had the original Dakine before). I am concerned that the WhatVest is too big/has too much capacity in the backpack section and not as streamlined. And how well does the internal hip belt work?

I want a vest mostly to always have my avy gear with me (for side country/slack country hits - if I am heading into the back country I will have a real backpack with proper harness/straps/etc.) and expect to mostly use the pockets on the front.

@kimchi Any comments on this? Appreciate anything you can share.

In my old age, I actually get cold and I can't believe it but I am actually thinking about adding an insulated jacket to the quiver. Any feedback on the AB Beast 2l jacket? For reference I usually wear a Volcom L jacket in medium and like it or my Quiksilver Black Alder in a medium which is a little more slim and long than I like, especially since it only has a one way zipper which is a no go for me.

why not just get a insulated layer underneath?

Blessed420 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 15, 2023 7:43 am why not just get a insulated layer underneath?

Variety.