Backpacks
Product 2019
Woman, Man
The Poacher is an old friend, a reference at Da Kine. We have its classic design and real Da Kine manufacturing: thick straps, tough fabric, etc. It gives a somewhat crude tough impression and, grams accumulate quickly. The poacher 22L is 1620g on the scales, empty. NB, but the back of the pack has back protection. The semi-rigid frame contributes to the added weight. The construction is coherent and pretty neat. That’s the main criticism, for the rest, it is a versatile pack, for mountain activities (not too technical) for snowboarding, skiing, etc.
Two scenarios spring to mind, the rider who will want to slide and the one who will walk, who needs to carry his skis/snowboard on his pack.
Let’s say it right away, the only valid carrying possibility (and available in addition to the side load) on the Poacher is the ski-mountaineering type carrying: skis laterally.
Simple operation: you slip the tails of the skis into the strap at the bottom right of the pack, tighten the strap through the adjustment on the left of the pack (bottom). Once the skis are positioned diagonally, they are placed against the bag with a strap for lateral attachment (it gets complicated, you need to connect the two ends of the side straps) or, better, use the strap provided with the metal tip that hides in a little zipped compartment at the top left. The advantage of this strap is its length: you can take a turn around the skis and hang the metal tip on the Daisy Chain.
Once on your back, on the slopes, you can feel the back of the pack (especially when you lean forward from the waist) but you get used to it because the foam is not that rigid. On the other hand, the major positive point is the pack’s structure that enables you to distribute the weight of your kit and avoid deforming the Poacher. The shovel, probe, skins, water bottle, etc. (the bladder tube is a pain to thread through), small first aid kit and additional clothes remain in place in this compact bag, nice and snugly fitted to your back.
The belt is nice and wide and sits snugly on your hips. You can clip carabiners on the right side. On the left, a zipped pocket ensures ultra-convenient storage: cereal bars or telephone. This is one of the great pluses of the Da Kine Poacher, the multitude of storage space. We particularly like the one lined with thin polar fleece to put your goggles in not damage them, and a secure net pocket.
All the zips slide well and are kitted out with tips to be easily grabbed when wearing gloves: very effective. Adjustment straps are tightened with a clip. It doesn’t seem that solid at first but in use, nothing broke. However, you must keep them closed otherwise the ice can mess with the closing.
Classic safety whistle – and you have everything!
The Da Kine Poacher is a classic, practical pack that allows you to ski with good weight distribution of your safety gear. Its diagonal carrying system is also effective for walking (a little) with your skis on your back.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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