PAAGO WORKS ZENN becomes a versatile backpack usable even for winter backcountry tours with the addition of options! Practical review of "ZENN BC Gear Sleeve," "ZENN BC Gear Strap," and "ZENN Snow Harness."

If only there was a backpack that could be used for everything from summer treks to winter backcountry tours..

The "ZENN" series of backpacks from PaaGo Works was released in 2025. Because of its modular design, ZENN can be adapted to various activities by changing the optional components

I previously reviewed the ZENN 35 on this site, but since an option for backcountry skiing/snowboarding has been added, I couldn't resist trying it out in the field. Here's my review of my experience using it

Key features of ZENN BC Gear Sleeve, ZENN BC Gear Strap, and ZENN Snow Harness

From left to right: ZENN BC Gear Sleeve, ZENN BC Gear Strap, ZENN Snow Harness

The ZENN BC Gear Sleeve is an inner bag specifically designed for avalanche gear. Its simple, slim, vertical design is ideal for storing essential equipment like snow shovels and probes (forklifts) needed for safe backcountry adventures. Made from durable and water-resistant X-Pac material, it features a large sleeve for quick and easy access from inside your backpack. Weighing just 132g and measuring 500mm x 260mm x 20mm, this versatile bag can be used not only with the ZENN series but also with other backpacks.

The ZENN BC Gear Strap is a dedicated strap for attaching snowboards and snowshoes to the ZENN series. Made of Hypalon material, which serves as both an anti-slip and edge guard, it securely fastens snowboards and snowshoes. It has a simple structure with D-rings that pass through side compression belts, but by tightening the side belts firmly, the center of gravity is shifted towards the body, making it less likely to wobble when hiking uphill with a snowboard attached.

The ZENN Snow Harness is a specialized harness designed for snow mountaineering, using a flat, water-repellent fabric that resists snow accumulation. Compatible with all sizes in the ZENN series, this harness is thicker and more robust than the standard ZENN model, reducing the burden of carrying heavy snow mountaineering gear while maintaining a stable and comfortable fit. It features pockets on both sides, primarily made of Dyneema Grid fabric. The right pocket has a band for securing a transceiver, while the left pocket has a convenient inner pocket for storing small items such as snacks and devices.

My favorite points and things I was concerned about

ZENN BC Gear Sleeves

Favorite points

• All the necessary avalanche gear can be stored in one place
• Includes a band to prevent items from shifting inside the bag
• Versatile enough to be used with any backpack
• It can be stored as is at home

Things I was curious about

• Larger shovels will not fit, so please check beforehand

ZENN BC Gear Strap

Favorite points

• Using side compression makes it less prone to shaking
• The band has an anti-slip function, so it can be securely fastened
• Compatible with fatboards as well

Things I was curious about

• If you don't make proper use of side compression, the bike will shake a lot and become unstable

ZENN Snow Harness

Favorite points

• The wide shoulder pads distribute the weight evenly
• Material that is resistant to snow accumulation
• The padding is more substantial than that of a standard harness
• Large pockets on both sides (can hold a 500ml bottle)

Things I was curious about

• I'd also like a hip harness option made from the same material

Detailed Review

ZENN BC Gear Sleeve: Extremely versatile, easy to use for quick access to necessary equipment

Snow shovels and probes are essential equipment for backcountry skiing/snowboarding in snowy mountains, but backpacks designed for backcountry use have dedicated pockets on the outside for easy access. The BC Gear Sleeve , carries avalanche gear inside the backpack rather than attaching it to the outside, a design that differs from many other specialized backpacks. It's a very simple bag, but its simplicity makes it easy to use, and it brilliantly overcomes the concerns I had.

Once you get used to it, you can pull it out in a few seconds and retrieve the necessary equipment

My initial concern was "difficulty in retrieving," but the BC Gear Sleeve has a large, well-designed handle loop that allows for a firm grip even while wearing gloves. I was able to quickly pull it out from inside my backpack. It could be retrieved without getting caught even when the gear was packed, so I wouldn't have any trouble getting ready even in situations where every second counts.

It has a simple design, but it has all the necessary functions without any problems to prevent any internal imbalances

The BC gear sleeve has a band inside to prevent items from shifting, allowing you to store your necessary gear evenly. The zipper has two sliders and a large loop that can be used even while wearing gloves. It opens wide on both sides, so you can easily take out what you need without any hassle

The frame effect obtained by putting shovels and probes inside the backpack

There were also unexpected benefits to storing snow shovels and probes inside the backpack

Storing the snow shovel and probe on the back side acts as a frame, which was more effective than I expected, and I felt that it significantly improved stability when wearing the backpack. I think this would be a big advantage for people who use backpacks without a frame

When hiking uphill with a snowboard on my back, the total weight is over 10 kg, so I felt it was very effective

ZENN BC Gear Strap: The extra-thick band, approximately 5cm wide, securely holds the board in place, preventing wobbling and allowing for a comfortable hike up

For snowboarders using solid boards in backcountry, comfortably carrying their snowboards while hiking uphill is a major challenge. If the snowboard shifts around and hits your legs while hiking, it's difficult to walk, and if it shakes with every step, it's impossible to hike up comfortably. In that sense, the ZENN BC Gear Strap was the product that I was most interested in using as a backpack for backcountry. I was concerned about whether the add-on bands would be able to securely fasten the board and whether it would shake while hiking uphill, but once I attached it, I found that the mechanism kept the board securely in place while minimizing shaking.

By threading the D-rings through the side belts of the backpack and using compression, you can pull it closer to your body

The BC gear straps have D-rings on the back, which are used by threading them through the side belts of the backpack. The two straps have different widths for the D-rings, and there is a designated top and bottom to ensure a perfect fit with the ZENN series.

When attaching the board to the backpack, first make sure to tighten the side compression straps securely. If you don't do this, the board will wobble around while you're on the move, so be careful. By using the side compression straps to stabilize the backpack and then attaching the board, the board is positioned as close to your body as possible, and the straps don't move during hiking, minimizing any wobbling

Use by threading the D-ring through the side compression belt

And then there's the strap material and width. The approximately 5cm wide strap, made of Hypalon material that combines anti-slip and edge guarding, securely holds the board in place. I the ZENN BC gear strap was designed with snowboarders' stress and problems in mind when walking for long periods of time with their snowboard on their backs.

The 5cm wide band can securely fasten the board

With a total length of 800mm and an edge guard length of 380mm, the strap can accommodate fat boards for enjoying powder and large boards for big-footed riders

It can also securely hold wide skis used for powder skiing

ZENN Snow Harness: Wide, sturdy padding distributes weight for comfortable long hikes

One of ZENN's signature features is its wide shoulder harness. The wide design distributes the load when worn, reducing strain on the shoulders. The ZENN Snow Harness is an updated version of this harness, specifically designed for use in snowy mountains. While the basic structure is the same as the standard harness included with purchase, the parts that come into contact with the body are made of a flat, water-repellent fabric, making it less prone to snow accumulation.

The one on the left is a snow harness, and the one on the right is a standard harness

Standard harnesses are characterized by their high breathability due to the mesh fabric surface, but when used in snowy mountains, the light, powdery snow gets stuck in this mesh. Once this happens, it becomes difficult to remove all of it, and you end up carrying the harness with snow attached. Snow on the harness can lead to your body getting cold and wetting your clothes, so it is important to take care to prevent snow from sticking to it. If you switch to a snow harness, even if snow does stick to it, you can quickly brush or tap it off with your hand, so you won't have to worry about snow sticking to your harness

When I used this snow harness, it only had shoulder harnesses, and the hip harness was only available in a standard version. Snow tended to stick to the hip harness and was difficult to remove, which was a bit of a concern, so I'm hoping they'll add a snow hip harness option

Since there is no snow-type hip harness, snow can easily get stuck to it and is difficult to remove, so please be careful

Even with the same thickness, the well-padded version was more comfortable to carry

According to the official website, both the standard harness and the snow harness have a pad thickness of 1 cm, but when you actually touch them, there are significant differences in the materials used

Unlike standard harnesses that prioritize breathability with mesh fabric and thin padding, this snow harness features thicker padding that provides firm support and reduces the burden when carrying heavy snow mountain gear. In a field test where I carried a snowboard, avalanche gear, camera equipment, snacks, water, other cold-weather clothing, first-aid supplies, and cooking equipment, the total weight of the gear was about 15kg. In a 5-hour field test with this gear on my back, I experienced firsthand how the substantial padding reduced the strain on my shoulders

The large pockets on both sides can hold a walkie-talkie, smartphone, and other things you might need while on the go

Pockets for 500ml bottles are located on both sides

The snow harness also features large pockets on both sides. The material is a stretchy fabric with a Dyneema grid, and both pockets are large enough to hold a 500ml bottle. The left pocket has an inner pocket, convenient for storing small items you want quick access to. I used it to store things useful for skiing, such as a scraper, basic tools, and a whistle. The right pocket has a simple strap for attaching a walkie-talkie

For backcountry tours where you're carrying a snowboard, the ZENN45 with its aluminum frame offers exceptional comfort

BC gear sleeves, BC gear straps, and a snow harness , the backpack can be used just as well for snow mountain climbing and even for backcountry snowboarding. Finally, I'd like to add my thoughts on the backpack's size.

The BC Gear Sleeve can be used with any backpack, but the BC Gear Straps and Snow Harness are exclusive to the ZENN series. The ZENN series comes in three sizes: 25L, 35L, and 45L, and these accessories can be attached to any size. For this article, I tested two models: the ZENN 35 and 45. I used both, and I'll share some of the differences in usability.

In conclusion, the ZENN 45 was the only backpack I could comfortably carry with a snowboard attached. Of the three sizes available, the ZENN 45 was the only one with an aluminum frame, and even with a weight of around 15kg on my back, it distributed the load evenly, allowing me to carry it without stress

The ZENN45 has an aluminum frame and foam padding. The ZENN35 has foam padding only

The ZENN35 doesn't have an aluminum frame; instead, it uses foam padding as a frame, making it almost like a frameless backpack. The BC gear sleeve , acts as a frame when placed on the back, providing stability, and I didn't experience any problems using it. However, comparing the ZENN35 and ZENN45, the ZENN45 offered a significantly better carrying comfort.

For those who enjoy sidecountry or short tours with minimal activity time on day trips to the backcountry, or those considering using it for day trips to snowy mountains, the ZENN 35 is a good choice. However, if you plan on hiking all day, climbing over 1000m in altitude, and enjoying long cruising runs for that perfect run, the ZENN 45 would be a better match

Summary: If you're someone who enjoys playing all year round, you won't regret owning this! The all-around backpack "ZENN"

While there isn't a clear distinction between "summer" and "winter" backpacks, the necessary features vary depending on the intended use. Therefore, the basic principle has always been to choose the optimal backpack for the activity you're enjoying. The ZENN series, however, has evolved into a versatile backpack capable of covering everything from summer treks to winter backcountry tours

I feel that the modular design used in the ZENN series still has a lot of potential. It may continue to evolve into a more expandable backpack to meet user needs in the future. I'm very much looking forward to seeing what happens next with the ZENN series

Written by: Yosuke.C

A person who travels around with just one backpack, with the motto of "as light as possible" without causing inconvenience

From spring to autumn, I go fishing in mountain streams in pursuit of char deep in the mountains. I hike the mountains in search of spectacular views that cannot be seen from the ground. I camp to relax by a bonfire. I snowboard to experience the feeling of floating in the silvery white mountains

A freelance writer with over 20 years of outdoor experience who enjoys the outdoors in his own way all year round. Based on his experience writing articles for over a dozen outdoor web publications, he will share his own experiences and the best tools he has used

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