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Niseko Ski Resort is a powder snow paradise that is so foreign it's no exaggeration to call it a "foreign country." While the high prices at hotels and restaurants and the fact that most people speak English are surprising, what surprised me most about Niseko this season was the high rate of riders using avalanche airbags. At a glance, it seemed like nearly half of the riders I met were carrying some kind of avalanche airbag
Of course, there are probably some circumstances unique to Niseko, but in any case, with the recent popularity of powder snow, it seems that avalanche airbags, which significantly increase the chances of survival in the event of an avalanche, are steadily becoming "common sense" around the world
There have long been various types of avalanche airbags based on their structure and mechanism, roughly speaking, including gas-powered and electric-powered types. However, it is no exaggeration to say that the electronic airbag system "Alpride E1 (now E2)" developed by the Swiss company Alpride in the winter of 2017 has become the mainstream avalanche airbag system in recent years due to its excellent performance and ease of use
The Alpride E1 system uses a revolutionary power source called a "supercapacitor," which allows for rapid charging and discharging even in low temperatures. It can be deployed and retracted repeatedly by charging, and its lightweight and easy-to-use design means it is now used by well-known backpack manufacturers such as BCA, ABS, Deuter, Osprey, Scott, and Millet. I myself have been using Scott and Osprey avalanche airbags .
However, a strong competitor has appeared this season for the Alpride E1/E2: the new airbag system " LiTRIC " equipped with a supercapacitor, which we will introduce here.
Here at Outdoor Gearzine, the ORTOVOX AVABAG LITRIC TOUR 40 , an avalanche airbag equipped LiTRIC avalanche airbag system a collaboration between ORTOVOX and Arc'teryx , with our own money and have used it for backcountry skiing in Honshu and Hokkaido for over 20 days this season, so we'd like to present our review.
table of contents
- Main features of ORTOVOX AVABAG Light Trick Tour 40
- Main specifications and evaluation
- Detailed Review: Backcountry Skiing
- Airbag system performance: Lighter and easier to use than the Alpride E1/E2 systems
- Storage and convenience: Numerous storage and functions have been carefully designed to make backcountry skiing more comfortable
- Comfort: No fatigue even with heavy loads, and excellent stability and comfort when skiing
- Summary: Very satisfied with both performance and practicality. The best choice for avalanche airbags at present
- ORTOVOX AVABAG Light Trick Tour 40 details and purchase
Main features of the ORTOVOX AVABAG Light Trick Tour 40
The ORTOVOX AVABAG LiTRIC Tour 40 is a ski and snowboard backpack equipped with the newly developed LiTRIC electronic avalanche airbag system. The LiTRIC system is the lightest on the market today and offers many advantages over conventional electronic airbags in terms of safety and convenience. While boasting a generous 40-liter capacity for a ski touring pack, the modular design of the cargo compartment allows for customization by combining optional compartments of different sizes. This avalanche airbag is designed to accommodate both skis and snowboards, with functional storage designed down to the last detail to make ski touring more comfortable. It boasts top-class technical advances and practicality.
Recommended points
- The lightest avalanche airbag available
- Can be inflated twice on a single charge (no AA batteries required for recharging)
- Easy to retract after airbag deployment and won't come loose while on the move
- Fast charging times with USB-C
- 40 liters of ample capacity (it can be compressed without shaking even when carrying a small amount of luggage)
- Optional compartments allow for size adjustments from 18 to 40 liters
- Diagonal skis are supported and snowboards can also be attached
- Well thought out storage for efficient storage of a large amount of BC equipment
- Easy-to-attach leg loops
- Easy to carry on flights
Points of concern
- After 50 deployments or five years, the product must be inspected for quality assurance
- I want waist belt storage and easy-to-use goggle storage
- expensive
Main specifications and evaluation
| Item Name | ORTOVOX AVABAG Light Trick Tour 40 |
|---|---|
| External dimensions | Height 60 x Width 32 x Depth 23cm |
| back length | Regular: 42 – 50cm (Short: 36 – 44cm) |
| capacity | 40 liters |
| Women's Model | ◯ (Not classified as male or female, but as models for large or small people) |
| official weight |
|
| material |
|
| helmet carrier | Standard equipment |
| Snowboard compatible | ◯ (Use the included strap) |
| Mounting the skis | Diagonal Method |
| accessories | USB-Type C charging cable, snowboard strap, Japanese manual |
| Outdoor Gearzine Review | |
| Airbag System Performance | ★★★★★ |
| Hike-up comfort | ★★★★☆ |
| Stability during sliding | ★★★★☆ |
| Storage capacity | ★★★★☆ |
| Backcountry convenience | ★★★★★ |
| weight | ★★★★☆ |
Detailed Review: Backcountry Skiing
Airbag system performance: Lighter and easier to use than the Alpride E1/E2 systems
My favorite backcountry backpack until now has been the Osprey Soulden Pro 32 . It's a very well-made and excellent backpack, but it does have some flaws.
If you want to know more, please read the linked review, but to give a few examples, the specifications of the Alpride E1 system require the airbag to be folded in a specific way after deployment, and it requires AA batteries for recharging while on the move. Also, the 32-liter capacity (due to the space taken up by the airbag unit) is actually a little short of carrying a full BC gear, including ropes, harnesses, and crampons. There were certainly some subtle shortcomings
the AVABAG LiTRIC Tour 40, which is part of the LiTRIC system , was that it completely eliminated many of the concerns that had arisen with the Alpride E1 series avalanche airbags, making it easier to use.
Lightest in its class of electronic airbags
When the Alpride E1 system was first released, it was a hot topic due to its shocking lightness (system weight 1280g), but the LiTRIC system is even lighter than the current generation Alpride E2 (system weight 1140g) at just 1100g (the entire LiTRIC Tour 40 weighs 2460g)
Furthermore, the LiTRIC system uses a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery as a secondary power source for recharging, rather than AA batteries like the Alpride series, so it is actually about 100g lighter than the Alpride E2, which weighs the equivalent of two AA batteries (approximately 50g) when added
100 grams may seem like a small difference, but when you put it on, you'll be surprised at how light it is compared to other avalanche airbags, considering the preconceived notion that avalanche airbags are heavy. This may be due to the airbag unit being located at the top, which brings the center of gravity closer to the shoulders, making the weight less noticeable
Airbag deployment is as easy and fast as the Alpride
The LiTRIC system can be quickly charged via a USB-Type C port, and when ready to use, simply press the button located near the entrance of the pack to instantly put it into standby mode.It has a continuous operating time of 60 hours, so you can continue using it for several days on a tour without needing to charge it
Lift the orange tab and press the button to automatically run a test. If there are no problems, the light will come on and the setup will be complete
It operates reliably even in extremely low temperatures of -30°C, and instantly inflates with the pull of a lever (maximum inflation in 4-5 seconds), just like the Alpride. The deployment of the avalanche airbag itself is not significantly different from conventional avalanche airbags; the airbag installed at the top of the backpack deploys with the flip of a lever, inflating a large-capacity (150L) balloon to cover the top of the pack (around the head). Since European safety certification standards require the airbag to remain at its maximum inflation level for three minutes after inflation, the airbag is re-inflated approximately twice, approximately every minute after the initial inflation
The video below captures the initial expansion
Incidentally, electronic fan-driven systems like the LiTRIC can deploy the airbag multiple times once it's charged, which has the great advantage of allowing you to practice to your heart's content without having to buy and refill a canister each time like with gas-powered systems. As such, it's a system that's far easier to recommend to beginners than gas-powered systems
*The "LiTRIC" system is guaranteed to last up to 50 inflations in 10 years, but after 50 inflations an LED light will notify you and you will need to have the system inspected and serviced by the manufacturer. Under normal use, it is unlikely that the system will be inflated more than 50 times in 10 years, but please note that it cannot be used indefinitely
A single charge can deploy the airbag at least twice
The LiTRIC system goes a step further than the Alpride E2, guaranteeing at least two airbag deployments per charge, so you can rest assured even if the airbags accidentally deploy while you're out and about. Once the airbags deploy, the system recharges itself using an internal lithium-ion battery, and in approximately 25 minutes, it's ready to deploy twice more. This means that even if the airbags deploy while you're out and about, they'll remain on standby almost uninterrupted
Once deployed, there is no need to fold it and it is easy to store again
Retracting the airbag after deployment was the easiest and smoothest of any airbag I have used so far. Here are steps 1 to 4 for retracting the airbag
First, you need to deflate the inflated balloon (①) (②). To do this, simply insert the fork-shaped plastic tool attached to the top pocket of the pack into the slot on the airbag body. The balloon continues to release air as long as it is inserted, which is easier than the Alpride, which requires you to hold down the release switch (see photo below)
Once the air is released, store the balloon in the compartment (③). While many airbag balloons, including the Alpride E2, are made from a hard, coated fabric, LiTRIC balloons use a flexible, durable two-layer fabric. This means that the LiTRIC Tour 40, there is no need to fold the airbag in a set procedure when storing it again after deployment. The simple design means you just push it evenly into the storage space, which is truly stress-free.
Once the balloon is safely inserted, close the lock in the center of the balloon compartment until it clicks (④). Next, close the zippers on both sides. Finally, close the flap tightly until the zipper is hidden, and you're ready to deploy the balloon (see photo below)
This new locking system is extremely effective and a minor but annoying issue with the previous Alpride and Jetforce systems, where the zipper would often loosen on its own and open the balloon compartment when the backpack was packed to the brim, is now a thing of the past
The trigger is easy to grip and pull with light force, has adjustable height, and can be rotated 180° to prevent accidental activation with a locking mechanism
The leg loops, which are essential for avalanche airbags, have been designed to be less stressful by attaching the included carabiner to the loops, instead of the tedious process of threading them through the waist strap
Storage and convenience: Numerous storage and functions have been carefully designed to make backcountry skiing more comfortable
As you'd expect from ORTOVOX, which produces many excellent backpacks that are still loved by many backcountry skiers, the way they handle storage is nothing short of impressive. While maintaining simplicity, the pockets and attachments are designed with the quality and quantity necessary for backcountry skiing in mind, allowing me to pack my gear with almost no complaints
The base and luggage compartment can be separated and combined to create a modular structure that can be customized to various capacities
The AVABAG Light Trick Tour 40 has a modular structure that combines a base section consisting of the back panel and airbag system with a cargo area that can be detached with a zipper.
Therefore, by combining large and small luggage compartment parts sold as options, it is possible to adjust the size to suit a variety of uses, from light half-day side country trips to long tours lasting several days
However, the 40-liter large-capacity backpack I purchased has well-made side straps, which allow for good compression even with a small load, and I was able to carry my luggage comfortably whether it was a half-day side-country trip or a fully equipped tour. Incidentally, the position of these side straps can also be adjusted by changing the height of the slits (see photo below)
Pocket attachments that are just what you need and add a little something extra to your ease of use
The main compartment opens wide with a zipper that goes all the way around like a suitcase, making it easy to access things (see photo below). Because the airbag unit is compact, you can make full use of the large 40-liter space
One of the biggest complaints about avalanche airbags is that the airbag system takes up a lot of space in the trunk. Beginners judging capacity by their usual standards will likely find it slightly insufficient. In my experience, when you add in equipment like ropes, harnesses, and crampons, avalanche airbags in the 30-liter range often end up being a little short on capacity. For that reason, the 40-liter model (generally considered large) was exactly what I was looking for, and I was very satisfied with its ample storage capacity
The main compartment has a double zipper, so it can be opened from either the top or bottom
There's also a well-placed storage compartment for avalanche safety gear, with a double zipper for quick opening and closing in any condition
There's another zippered pocket on the front for storing the deflation tool mentioned earlier, snacks, sunscreen, and other small items. While it was physically possible to store goggles in it, the pocket isn't lined with fleece, and the pocket's hard airbag unit interferes with the contents, creating an uneven surface, so it didn't seem like a very suitable fit. I would have liked a space to store goggles more neatly
There are two pockets on the top and bottom of the back of the main compartment, which are convenient for storing small or thin items such as USB cables and maps
Although it is not uncommon these days, the bike is also equipped with a helmet holder at the bottom front to secure a helmet
I also really liked the ease of use, such as the large, mitten-friendly zipper pull (left photo below) and the easy-to-operate, removable axe holder (right photo below)
The minimalist front loop can hold two ice axes
There was a gap from the inside that led to the shoulder strap, which allowed me to pass things like a hydration tube or a walkie-talkie speaker microphone through
Diagonal ski and snowboard attachment for quick and easy installation
The skis can be set diagonally. It is not impossible with the A-frame, but please note that the manual states that this is not possible due to interference with the airbag
You can also attach a snowboard or snowshoes using the included straps
Comfort: No fatigue even with heavy loads, and excellent stability and comfort when skiing
The basic form and construction of the Lightrick Tour 40 is similar to the company's "HAUTE ROUTE" series, but it differs slightly in that the back, shoulders, and waist belt have been made thinner to make it slightly lighter. However, it's not so stripped down that it leaves you feeling dissatisfied, and the comfortable back, three-dimensional harness, and shoulder stabilizers around the shoulders provide a stable, comfortable fit
The lightness of the system itself, the calculated center of gravity balance, and the simple yet comfortable back system developed over many years mean that even with a 40-liter capacity, there is no unnecessary weight or stress
By tightening the backpack's side straps to compress the pack and then fastening the waist belt, shoulder harness, sternum straps, shoulder stabilizers, and leg loops, the pack will not shake and you will not feel any discomfort no matter how fast you ski
Summary: Very satisfied with both performance and practicality. The best choice for avalanche airbags at present
Ortlieb, a comprehensive outdoor brand that started out developing and manufacturing avalanche beacons in Munich, Germany, and now produces a wide range of sturdy, high-quality mountaineering gear, including backpacks, has finally released the Avalanche Airbag.Even I, a big fan of the Osprey Soleden Pro 32 found the Avalanche Airbag to be more "usable" than I had imagined, and it made me decide to switch.
I still feel that the Osprey has the advantage in terms of comfort when it comes to carrying the pack, but in other areas (airbag performance, capacity, ease of use) the Lightrick Tour is slightly better.
Although an avalanche airbag does not guarantee survival in an avalanche, it is said to double the chances of survival, and it certainly increases safety even a little on the dangerous snowy mountains
While the price may seem high, it's not so outrageous for those who spend more than a few days a year in the backcountry. Considering this as a 10-year insurance policy, the ORTOVOX AVABAG Light Trick Tour 40 is one of the best options for avalanche airbags, which will likely become essential in the future, offering top-class safety, comfort, and functionality. It's a product we recommend for anyone who enjoys avalanche activities, such as backcountry skiing and snowboarding, mountain climbing, and snowshoeing.
ORTOVOX AVABAG Light Trick Tour 40 details and purchase
For more product details, please visit the Magic Mountain official website
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