Backpacks
Product 2025
Femme, Homme, Enfant
At first glance, the ARVA ST 28 appears to be a fairly classic ski touring pack, following well-established design principles. But one specific technical choice really stood out — and won us over.
ARVA’s designers made an excellent decision by placing the snow safety gear compartment on top of the pack, with a lateral zipper. This has at least three clear advantages:
In an avalanche rescue situation, the red zipper is easy to spot and pull downward.
The gear is stored in the front of the pack, not against the back panel — which reduces the risk of hard pressure points (like a shovel) when wearing the bag.
There’s no confusion with other zippers — the dedicated compartment is unmistakable and well thought out.
The ARVA ST 28, made from recycled Ripstop fabric, prioritizes comfort and practicality over ultralight minimalism. It includes features like zipper pulls with tabs, two full-length daisy chains, strap management elastics (a great detail), and a protective sleeve for your hydration tube.
The pack supports ski and snowboard carry (though snowboard carry wasn’t tested). While A-frame and side ski carryare possible, they aren’t the most user-friendly or efficient methods. Diagonal ski carry remains the fastest and simplest option. The dual ice axe holders are functional and secure.
The back panel and wide hip belt are both very comfortable. The foam is thick, abrasion-resistant, and reasonably breathable. The shoulder straps are thinner and well-contoured. During early use, we did notice the edges of the straps on the upper shoulders, but they soften over time.
In summary, the ARVA ST 28 is a comfortable and well-built pack, designed for ski touring — though it could work well for other alpine pursuits too. It’s solid and reliable, with no real surprises. The only downside: ski carry could be a bit more intuitive.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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