Pingora Vivid 35 Liter Backcountry Ski Pack

As a professional mountain guide, I wear a lot of packs! So happy to have gotten to wear the pack. It's comfortable, roomy, and carries skis well. I have used it alpine climbing, single day ski missions, and on overnight ski tours and am impressed with how well it is designed for all of the activities. I have worn many other styles of packs for ski mountaineering missions, and feel the Pingora pack is the most comfortable and easy to use! These guys really put a lot of love into the design!

Works perfectly for technical skiing in steep Norwegian couloirs.

Best ski touring backpack I've ever used, and I've used many. The tool pocket will easily accomodate extra things, like ski crampons and boot crampons, and gives me faster access than vertically loaded tool pockets, since all gear is exposed with the single smooth zipper. The main compartment is extremely spacious and seems to pack above it's volume class -- I feel like I'm able to fit a lot more compared to other packs with a similar volume. Perfect light weight. Rolltop is easy and expansive. Backzip makes it easy to access everything in your pack. The combination of both rolltop and backzip access is my favorite combo and hard to find in a pack. All zippers are smooth and effortless to use. A-frame ski carry is amazing, easy to attach, and keeps my ski tails off my ankles, even if I don't ski strap the tips together. Helmet carry is tight and secure. Comfortable with all loads. Daisy chain on the front is convenient for attaching additional items, like an InReach, and reconfiguring to preference. The colorways are awesome. I'm a product tester at heart and almost always find things to nitpick about... but I have no feedback on this one. Extremely well-designed, and at an affordable price. Way to go, Pingora!!

I’ve used and gone through a lot of packs and Vivid stands out. there’s thought of ease put into the use of the pack. from different roll top fastening options (if carrying skis in A frame style, the roll top clips to itself instead of on the sides that would otherwise block buckle use) to different ways the pack can carry your skis. when first seeing ads for the pack, I honestly though the zippered back panel was a gimmick. it has become a favorite feature due to ease of packing to retrieving items during transitions and the tour in general. the zippered mesh pocket on the inside of the back panel was an awesome surprise and a great place to store extra snacks. there’s even a sectional pocket inside the main compartment to separate gear. my only critique is to move the female receiver of the helmet strap (the one inside the top of the bag) to above the small zippered pouch. this would allow for the pouch to hang freely and ease up access when a helmet is stored inside. it’s an easy work around though… I just don’t store items that I frequently need in there. great pack! i’ve had it on a few different styled tours with mixed scenarios and it has proven to be logical and fast. it is now my go to for skiing.

This pack is my new GO-TO! Plenty of attachment placements for not only skis, but also trekking poles, ice aces and climbing gear. I do a lot of backcountry solo hikes and love that I don't have to take my bag completely off to access the interior of the bag. It makes changing out layers or grabbing an extra pair of gloves so much easier. I also love the fast pack straps on the shoulder straps. I'm able to tuck gels, snacks and a headlamp in one side and my cell phone in the other. Great design. Great quality. Great company. Sold on Pingora gear forever!

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.

I have only been able to take this on two ski tours so far, but so far I'm quite happy. I like all the pockets and strap placement. The helmet carry is great and out of the way of the avy zipper. It was easy to transition to a boot pack with skis as an a-frame. I wasn't able to read about the diagonal carry and don't see a pic on the website, but I'm sure I can figure that out. Fit is great and I love that I have will have the extra space with the roll top when things get cold and I need more layers or in the spring with room for glacier gear. I can't wait to try it out more this winter.

I've used this all season (~40 days) and really love the pack on the whole. Been recommending it to friends that are looking for a new pack, especially since it comes at a great price. Have some cons that I hope Pingora will address in future iterations of the Vivid

Pros:
- everything always fits, pack feels larger than the 35L, never struggling for space
- so many little spots on the straps and waist belt for snacks, keeps me fueled all day
- side access gear pocket is awesome, super accessible and easy to use
- daisy chains on the pack are easily used and not overly difficult to get carabiners on like some other packs I've used
- helmet carry is robust even though it's just straps and hasn't broken like multiple others I've used
- color scheme options are sweet

Cons:
- I wish there was a zipper on the roll top and I actually got one installed, it's wonderful for bigger or extra cold days when I really need every cubic inch of space
- the valuables/goggle pocket is extremely difficult to use when the pack is mostly full, nothing feels like it fits in here and it's always in the way when accessing the pack from the top
- the soft flask holder doesn't fit any flask I've tried. Would love if this was larger
- back panel zippers get caught and don't zip/unzip as smooth as some other packs
- the hip belt gear loop is already showing signs of wearing through after using the pingora nalgene insulator all season
- the side straps with the lock on the length adjusters are quite frustrating to deal with when wearing gloves
- the horizontal chest strap loosens very slowly over the course of the day and I find myself retightening it multiple times

This bag is incredible for ski touring and ski patrolling/rescue. I bought this pack because of the oversize avalanche tool pockets. This remains my favorite part of this backpack. I can so very easily access my tools and have no issues getting them in and out like my last pack. I love that there is enough room for a 2nd probe and for my snow saw. The 35L is perfect for my needs. The roll-top allows me to pack all of my items easily with out shoving stuff in. The straps on the sides pack down extremely well if you do not need all 35L. The trail running vest style pockets on the shoulder straps is very neat and can be used in so many different creative ways. Same with the hip belt pockets. However, one small thing i have dealt with is the zipper on one of the hip belt pockets feels loose and creeps open once in awhile. Other than that, I have been highly recommending this backpack to my ski patrol team and excited to see where this pack evolves too.

Great pack, I like the how the waist belt is attached closer to center of the back.

love the space and organisation features. fits everything i need for backcountry travel, ski patrol, and rescue equipment.

Great!!! Nicely built

Love this pack! The roll top lets me pack helmet in the interior no matter how much I stuff in. The full posterior zipper makes it easy to access shell or water bottle when on a tour. Only comment is the chest strap buckles are hard to fasten with mitts on.

So far really liketge 35L. One day of Backcountry Skiing and two days ice climbing so far!
The design is great and I like the ability to compartmentalize gear between the main body and the roll top ( an internal strap makes this possible).

Ice tool carry is perfect.

Amazing pack! Does everything exceptionally well

Has all the features you need and none that you don’t, all in a svelte and lightweight pack. Highly recommended

Really enjoying my 35 L Pingora pack so far! I've only used it on a couple early season bootpacks, but was very impressed with how well it carried a heavy load. It felt comfortable and well distributed while A-frame carrying my skis. I like the back panel access as well as roll-top. This is what ultimately influenced me to choose this pack over the black diamond cirque pack, and I'm happy with my choice. I wish the hip belt pockets/chest strap pockets were larger. They seem a little small to properly utilize the space although my in reach mini fits in one. Would also love to see a design that incorporates a soft water flask like a running vest pocket. I'm 5'8 and followed the size chart- a M fits me great. The colors are fun and I'm excited to rock a cool pack this season!

Just received the 35l bag all in all its a very nice bag. The ice axe loops are a little loose so I just added an extra knot. No biggie. Fit is fantastic 5ft 7" 175lbs. Can't wait to get it out skiing this year. Nice job ...

This pack seems to have it all. I was unsure of the vertical zip for the rescue pocket but its an extremely smooth and easy to open zipper. As a splitboarder, I wish the vertical carry strap (one with small wiregate) was a bit longer. It doesn't necessarily fit the width of the snowboard so I am stuck having to A frame. Also been using this on longer alpine climbs and its great.

This is an awesome pack--it quickly became my go-to for 4x Hood summits (+1 on MSH) this spring. For a pack of its size it provides the most flexible/simultaneous ski carry, ice tool carry, any pocket access, main pocket and small pocket access. The chest harness pockets are reasonably good--although they could be bigger/stretchier in my opinion (a la a Salomon running vest), fitting a full size phone and case is a bit of a squeeze. The roll top is fantastic for sizing flexibility and easy access with gloves. This pack has even become my go-to for summer hikes/climbs.

Really liking it so far. I have about 5 days with it and have no major complaints. The goggle pocket is a little tight sometimes but not a deal breaker. It carries weight much better than my Patagonia ski pack. I appreciate that the waist straps pull from the outside in, I'm not sure why all packs don't do this.

My wife has the Deuter Freerider Pro 34+, which is definitely one of the best bags on the market, and she's jealous of this one. The zippers are burly, the back panel zip is easier to access than in other packs, and the zip pockets on the shoulder straps are great for keeping snacks accessible. I tried the smaller volume version of this pack first since I'm not a huge fan of roll top closures, but it was a bit too small to fit extra layers, lunch, first aid kit, water bottles, and crampons. The 35 is perfect, and the roll top stays out of the way when you don't need it and is actually convenient (not excessively baggy) when you do. The only complaints: only one size (I'm a 6ft tall, 165lb male so I'm fine but not sure it would fit my wife), and despite having a nice pocket that could hold a hydration bladder, there's no hook to hold it and no opening for the hose to come out (though could technically just come out of the back panel zipper if you don't close it all the way). Overall still very satisfied since I switched to water bottles to prevent freezing.

I love this bag. I have never liked skiing with a backpack before but this one fits my body so well. I barely feel it while I am skiing and now I use it in and out of bounds! Plus I always get compliments on how cute the pink is!

After a few weeks of use, I’m happy to report Im satisfied with my decision to purchase the pack.

Plenty of volume for day touring around Alaska, appreciate the organization and access this model has. As an added bonus, it makes a great carry on bag for airline travel.

I’ll be coming back to Pingora for my partner’s gear needs.