Avalanche airbags
Product 2020
Woman, Man
Da Kine offers an atypical pack with the Team Poacher RAS 26L Avalanche Benchetler. It is indeed a freeride product with an integrated back protector shell, which can be kitted with an Airbag system (not supplied with the backpack).
So we have a versatile backpack that adapts to different uses depending on its level of equipment and price. If you add the Mammut Removable Airbag System 3.0, which is recommended by Da Kine, you must pay 588 euros (449 Airbag + 139 euros carbon cartridge) in addition to the backpack’s price of €229.95, making a total of 817.95 euros. With 630 euros, you can have a special Mammut pack fully-equipped Airbag at 629 euros (Light Removable Airbag 3.0) or a Flip Removable Airbag 3.0 ultralight at €599. But beware, Mammut bags are delivered without cartridges! It is therefore necessary to add to the initial budget, but in any case, with the 100% Mammut option this doesn’t exceed 769 euros. We are not even talking about the option of an electric bakpack; much more expensive, 1100 euros for 2860g; the Black Diamond Jet Force Pro 10 that we thoroughly tested.
So, to make your choice between the Da Kine and a fully equipped backpack, take out your calculator and weigh up the ratio between a ready-to-use pack with a pack to kit-out.
So much for pricing considerations, let’s move to the technical aspects. If you use the Mammut Removable Airbag System 3.0 15 L, you have a 150 liter balloon that fills up in three seconds. We didn’t test the installation and integration of the Airbag on the Da Kine. At most, we can say that the cartridge storage spaces and passages for the controls are of course provided and seem good. However, there is a doubt about being able to put the release handle on the right shoulder strap.
The Airbag is released via a large Velcro pocket located on the top of the pack. The flaps are held onto the sides with two clips. The cartridge is arranged vertically in the central compartment, accessible through the back of the pack. It fits inside a zipped pocket.
Behind the central flap, you can slide the water bladder in by taking the tube out through the top of the bag and then attach it to the strap opposite the Airbag release control. Beware, the tube must start from the bottom of the pack and then go back up. You can also attach a radio to the small daisy chain inside the central compartment.
We immediately noticed the absence of a crutch-strap, to prevent the bag from being torn off in the event of a large avalanche.
The well-padded shoulder straps were very comfortable, the zips slide well and the colored tips are very useful so you don’t waste time when you’re in a panic: you know immediately which compartment you open and how. This is very important if you need to grab the shovel and probe.
All safety equipment is logically stored accessible in the pack’s outside compartment. We just lack a way of blocking the shovel, which moves around a bit depending on the model used (not the handle because it has its own storage).
The overall kit is good (except for the crutch-strap). You quickly get used to it. A helmet can be hung on the Da Kine Team Poacher RAS 26L Avalanche Benchetler thanks to a removable netting that you can store in pocket. The bottom of the pack is well-protected by an abrasion-resistant material, brilliant against rocks.
Carrying skis is always a convoluted operation. With Da Kine, you have two options. The “A” shaped carrying and laterally. The pack rocks around a lot and you have to tie the two skis together at the tips. Wide skis fit easily into the straps. Doing it is long and manipulating the straps is not easy. Otherwise, you can carry them the way that we clearly prefer, diagonally. It’s quicker to install (no need to separate skis), and skis are picked up in the blink of an eye. The attachment of a snowboard is ensured with two straps, we didn’t test it.
We liked the wide waist strap and especially its beautiful metal buckle. The large side pocket, with the inscription Grateful Dead on the left is a place to put small stuff. On the right, you can hang an array of carabiners.
There are some (very) coarse seams but overall the strength is there. Da Kine could still go lighter, they could scrape off a little more…
When you have this imposing bag on your back, there is very good carrying, (very) loaded, you benefit from good weight distribution. The Da Kine Team Poacher RAS 26L Avalanche Benchetler is designed on a frame base. As often with this type of technical solution, there may be slight squeaks when bending forward (armature that rubs against the fabric)but in the Da Kine’s case it’s only slight. You really notice how rigid the back is when it’s fully loaded (be careful storing the shovel’s handle): the back protector is included (which keeps you warm).
Let’s talk about the Da Kine’s weight: 1980g pack + 700g Airbag (additional) removable System 3.0 + 310g carbon cartridge or in total 2990g. Figures to compare, for example, with the Mammut Pro X Removable Airbag 3.0 bag, 2590g (with carbon cartridge) or the Black Diamond Jet Force Pro 10 at 2860 grams. So we see that with almost three kilos, the Da Kine is in the upper limit.
A multi-purpose backpack with a back protector that can be fitted with an airbag. Good carrying and lots of clever storage space.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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