Geared toward smaller framed users, the Women's Pro X 35 is one of the few women's specific airbag packs on the market, and in our opinion, the most well-executed for all-around touring. This model boasts pleasant ergonomics and a shorter back panel for smaller users.
This model is one of our favorite overall pack designs, featuring a number of useful pockets and a utilitarian design. Our review team loved this model's giant snow safety pocket which could fit most medium to large probes, shovels, and saws.
We love that the stiffened, fleece-lined goggle pocket doesn't take up room inside the pack, nor is it hard to access when the pack is full. The pack's most vertical zippered pocket provided a spot we used for a “lid/brain” where we kept smaller items that we wanted easily accessible.
The exterior of this pack shed snow nicely and proved tougher than average, even with more than three weeks of consistent, rugged use. Best of all, it is 100% recycled.
The Pro X Women's is one of the few airbag packs offering back panel access, with a design that is easy to open or close even when full. The pack also has a partial top-loading design similar to many clamshell-style touring packs. The clamshell opening isn't super big, so sometimes it will be necessary to use the back panel zipper to access gear.
This model can carry skis or splitboard in both A-frame and diagonal configuration, and it can also carry a non-split snowboard vertically on the back. We found each individual carrying function fast and easy to implement.
As with most airbag packs, it is not recommended to carry your skis or splitboard in an A-frame when there is a chance you might have to deploy your airbag. This is because there is a risk that your skis or splitboard could somehow interfere with the airbag's deployment. In these instances, it is better to use a vertical or diagonal carry which we prefer for shorter carries anyway due to general speed. For longer carries (more than an hour), all of our testers prefer an A-frame, as it is more well-balanced and comfortable overall.
Mammut's Removable Airbag System 3.0 (RAS) is both removable and interchangeable, with a number of pack options that can be purchased separately. This means once you own one airbag system/pack, you can buy a different “airbag backpack” without having re-buy the airbag system. Mammut refers to any their airbag packs sold without the airbag as airbag ready, and these cost around the same as a normal touring pack. Currently, Mammut makes numerous pack options for their airbag system, increasing the overall versatility of its RAS system.
In size and shape, Mammut's rectangular 150L bag is very similar to most other manufacturers' bags. Unlike Mammut's other system, the Protection Airbag Systems (PAS), the RAS 3.0 doesn't wrap around the sides of your head to potentially offer as much trauma protection.
The RAS system uses compressed air to inflate its bag, coupled with a venturi valve which helps pull in air as the bag is inflating. Refilling a compressed air canister isn't as easy as plugging a battery-powered model into your wall but, it also isn't very challenging. Most shops that deal with compressed air should be able to fill your airbag canister for a nominal fee, including scuba, paintball, or even glass blowing shops.
Trigger MechanismThe trigger is fixed on the left side. In our opinion, the trigger mechanisms themselves are not a major factor to consider when purchasing these products.
Mammut was thinking ahead with regard to travel when they chose to use compressed air over compressed nitrogen. Flying with an empty compressed air canister is permitted by TSA and the FAA as long as it's in your checked baggage. Hang onto the box that your canister comes in; when you fly, pack it back in this box, as it will clearly identify what your canister is, potentially preventing the TSA from confiscating it. We always go one extra step, putting a note on the box stating that it's empty and that it's for an avalanche airbag pack.
Users will find the Pro X Women's to have a real-world weight of 6.53 lbs (2936 grams). As this pack is modular, let us break down the weights of the primary components and different options. Stripped of its airbag components, the pack weighs 3.4 pounds (1550g). When full, the standard aluminum canister weighs around 1.53 lbs (694 grams). The airbag system (including the airbag itself, the trigger, and all related and removable attachments) weighs a total of 1.53 lbs (690 grams). This is how we got a total weight of 6.5 lbs (2936 grams) for this pack with the standard aluminum canister. Europe has carbon fiber canisters available, which will save you roughly half a pound, but you can't get these refilled in the US.
The helmet holder on this pack was a huge improvement over the previous model, but it's still not our favorite and not as easy to use as other models. It also covers the small back-most zippered pocket, which is the primary pocket for carrying small items that you want easily accessible, making accessing this pocket a pain when the helmet carrier is in use.
We appreciated the hip-belt pocket on the left side of the pack but wished it was a little bigger and that there was one on each side.
For its volume, our review team found this pack is fantastic on the down. It struck a nice balance between being supportive without being too stiff, something that certainly affects how comfortable a pack is while skiing or snowboarding down.
The fit of this pack is why most people buy it. Ladies and shorter men, if you're having a hard time finding an airbag pack that fits you, the Mammut Pro X Removable 3.0 35L - Women's could be your answer. As for comfort, this pack received the best feedback among users with shorter torsos. The pack panel uses a comfortable and supportive foam that feels great even when we didn't have many layers on.
The shoulder straps are nicely articulated and work well for folks with narrower shoulders. The smaller waist belt is another feature that helped the Pro X Women's to fit more petite people.
This is likely one of the best-fitting airbag packs if you're under 5'6" or have narrow shoulders or a short torso. We found this pack to be very functionally designed with a versatile ski or snowboard carry system, and it has nearly all the features that most folks want in a touring pack, at a reasonable weight.
Another pack that's great for users with small frames is the Black Diamond JetForce UL, which is one of the lightest weight systems we tested. However, the carrying capacity is much lower than many models. All of Black Diamond's airbag packs come in two sizes. If you want a great battery-charged airbag system, check out the Osprey Soelden Pro 32, which utilizes Alpride's supercapacitor system that can be charged via USB or AA batteries.
