Vivid 35 Liter Backcountry Ski Pack

Longer term review: I've been using this pack for all my touring this season. I like it. The zippers have been holding up well and the only signs of wear are a few loose threads in a couple places. There are, in my opinion, some minor design flaws that could be addressed in the next version. The first is that the zippered pocket above the back panel, which I think is for goggles or valuable, is tight to get anything in and out of that would actually fill the pocket. I cannot easily get a goggle in and out. I've been using it for my radio, which works ok. The zipper closes on the wearer's right side. This means when I route my handheld speaker/mic I have to put it on that side which has it right next to my soft flask bottle. It works, but it'd be better to have the opening onto the other side where there isn't a water bottle. The soft flask holder is ok. It seems unnecessary to have a zippered pocket on that side as well. The hip pocket is relatively small and hard to get things in and out of. The mesh pocket in side the back panel seems useless to me. Ice axe carry: I haven't used the carry system, because the toggles are a little loose for my taste and the axe dangles low. I'm going to add a standard bungee for holding the shaft end onto the daisy chain. I have carried an axe inside the avy tool pocket, which works ok with my tiny Petzl axe. Putting in one with a real spike might damage the pack bottom. Buckles: The chest buckle is a bad, non-standard design with a tiny groove in the middle that accumulates ice. I have to use my mouth to melt it out to get it closed when it's snowing out. Luckily the belt buckle doesn't have this little groove. I would suggest just going with normal buckles. The material is far from water-resistant. Placing the pack down on the snow (PNW wet snow) will wet through the bottom panel and moisten a down puffy if you have one stuffed into the bottom. I am unclear how you are supposed to close the roll top when it's overstuffed. On my Exped there is a long cinch strap perfectly setup for that. On the Pingora, there is a clip strap across the daisy chain, and I can use it to this effect. But it is too short to work when the top is full and it also isn't long enough. These are my (minor) gripes. Overall, the features are working well for me. I like the 35+ L size for a full day touring. It carries well when loaded or half-packed, and the helmet carry is robust.