After my first backcountry ski outing with the USWE (pronounced “you-swii”) brand 25-liter hydration pack, I was immediately sold on the snug, no-bounce, four-point elastic strap harness system branded as the No Dancing Monkey system (NDM).
It virtually eliminates shifting and bouncing as you shred your way down a mountain or groomed trail. This innovation makes it a great pack choice for backcountry skiing and snowboarding, snowmobiling, or fat biking.
Other features that got me to let go of my old backcountry pack include a built-in, Thermo Cell pocket in one of the shoulder straps for your hydration bag hose and valve. The Thermo Cell pocket uses your body heat to help keep your water hose and valve from freezing.
It also has two large pack compartments, including one with a sleeve for your hydration pack and the other for a shovel and probe, although the handle on my old Life-Link shovel is too long to fit in the shovel/probe compartment. Guess it’s time for a shovel upgrade.
Plus there are several other small pockets for snacks and other sundries, including a separate, scratch-protective goggle compartment. The pack has a removable external helmet storage pocket, straps for carrying a snowboard or skis, and a removable CE-Certified full back protector.
MSRP: $200-220. Uswe-sports.echoscomm.com
Editor’s Note: Unless otherwise stated, product for these reviews was provided by the brand at no cost to the reviewer. Out There strives to only review quality products and provide honest, thoughtful, and entertaining gear reviews, but readers should always do their own research before making a purchase.
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