UPDATE: Check out our review of the 2018/2019 Snowboard Backpacks here
With backpacks, it’s horses for courses. If you’re going into the wilderness on a two-day splitboarding adventure, you might need more than adjustable straps and a laptop sleeve. Likewise there’s no point in having one with rescue whistles and an Avalung if you’re just using it to stash your lunch while you lap the rail line.
“Features like goggle pockets and carry straps will make you glad you went for something snowboard-specific”
Finding the one that’s right for you is easy once you consider the following things: capacity, material and functions. You’ll be surprised what you can get into a narrow ‘heli’ pack, although if you’re taking lunch for the family then you might want something more substantial.
Packs with thicker, more durable outer shells will hold up for longer, especially if you spend a lot of time in the backcountry, and features like goggle pockets and carry straps will make you glad you went for something snowboard-specific.
Here’s our pick of all backpacks great and small for 2015/16:
Scroll through the list to your heart’s content, or skip to your favourite brand using the links below.
Burton | DaKine | DC | Jones | Quiksilver | Patagonia | Ride | Volcom
All photographs by Sami Tuoriniemi
Production: Ed Blomfield / Mike Brindley / Andrew Duthie / Sami Tuoriniemi
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