Backpacks
Product 2021
Woman, Man
We tested the Arva Calgary 20 litre pack ski touring. It’s a simple product that impressed us for several reasons. It isn’t just a churned-out product with straps all over the place and smoke systems. The Calgary is practical and the result of Arva’s years of experience: the entire product is coherent and very well designed. The shoulder straps are preformed, the waist belt is wide and comfortable. The pack moves with you without blocking your spine. All the zips slide well, and the zip cursors have a color code; red = safety equipment (although the difference could be a bit more pronounced). We still love the top handle for grabbing the pack.
The Arva Calgary 20 can open up entirely, which is very practical when you want to store your skins, but you have to open all four sides. The lateral system is for carrying skis. Suffice it to say immediately, this system has long since been replaced by the central (or diagonal) carrying attachment, the only one that combines speed and practicality. When we place the skis on each side of a bag (especially on a small-volume pack), they swing a lot and you have to secure the tips: we didn’t find a strap that could be used to hold them still.
The Arva Calgary 20 is still a very good bag, except for the portage, which will be a one-off rescue exercise.
There’s a net so you can attach your helmet when you’re going uphill. The system is simple and does its job. The net is firmly stitched to the pack.
The workmanship is precise, all the seams are neat, the straps slide well, the plastic closures are quality and make a satisfying sound. All the fabrics are recycled.
We like the small upper pocket lined with a soft fabric so you can store your sunglasses without scratching them. The two side pockets on the belt are very practical for squeezing in easy to reach supplies, a Chapstick, etc. but the volume isn’t big enough for a smartphone.
We didn’t notice any weakness in the materials and the carrying comfort when you’re moving is pleasant: the pack is forgotten because the load is well distributed. Even with a large insulated bottle, you don’t feel anything on your back. Be careful, the volume is not very much, and you quickly fill it up when you take off layers of clothing. Therefore for “pure touring” use, you must choose your kit carefully and think lightweight.
A few remarks that aren’t critical: the Arva Calgary 20 has a waist belt with a single adjustment (no double strap adjustment). The pack is compatible with a hydration system because there’s a tube housing on the left shoulder strap, but attaching the water bladder is not easy and doesn’t adapt to all bladder systems. Be careful not to lose your car keys, we would have liked a ring to secure them.
At 90 euros, the Arva Calgary 20 already does quite a bit.
The Arva Calgary 20 provides the essentials required of a touring pack. Comfortable on your back, practical, well-finished, easy to use, and compact, it lets you get off the pistes to take a slope. Only the ski carrying position is noticeably behind. A good product and definitely recommendable.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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