What Our Gearhead(R) Experts Are Saying:"I took the Ortovox Tour Rider S 28L on a long ski tour in the Wasatch that had a serious vertical gain and the ergonomic shoulder straps with load limiting kept the pack from pulling me backward on steep sections the way a heavier or poorly fitted pack will. The dedicated avalanche safety compartment is genuinely well thought out since I could get to my probe and shovel without unloading the main compartment, which matters when seconds count."Long backcountry ski days demand a pack that keeps up, and the Ortovox Tour Rider S 28L Backpack was built specifically for those objectives. Sized for shorter torsos and loaded with organization, it carries a full day of gear without throwing off your balance on the skin track or getting in the way when the pitch kicks up. The 100% recycled 600D polyester construction handles the abrasion and weather exposure that come standard with alpine use, and at just under two pounds the pack adds capability without punishing you for bringing it. The Tour Rider S earns its technical credentials through a layout designed around how backcountry travelers actually move through the mountains. The dedicated avalanche safety compartment keeps your probe, shovel, and beacon accessible from outside the main pack body so you are never digging through layers and a lunch to reach your safety gear. Front and back panel access to the main compartment means you can get into the pack from either side depending on the situation, and external attachments handle skis in side or diagonal carry, a snowboard vertically, or snowshoes when the approach demands them. Gear loops keep poles and ice tools within reach, an integrated helmet net frees up interior space, and hydration compatibility keeps water accessible on long climbs where stopping to dig out a bottle is not always an option.