Crux 40

I was skeptical and then pleasantly surprised.

The pack carries my patrol packing list with room to spare for contingencies. The shape of the pack keeps the weight tucked in close to my back which translates to a better (and safer) skiing experience and the suspension handles the load really well. I really appreciate the ice clipper loop on the right side of the hip belt. I like to keep a small carabiner near the back of my hip belt to clip a hat and and other items during short transitions and this little loop is a welcome feature. The mesh pocket fits my sit pad and skins. A standard Osprey helmet holder clips to the 4 plastic rings on the corners of the mesh pocket. Capacity (Size L) is a generous 40L. The critical back panel access feature isn't finicky.

The only negatives from my perspective are the cost, lack of a small internal detail pocket which is a nice to have and the internal avy gear pocket which can be mitigated by running probe/shovel deployment drills .

No regrets. This is a great pack and is exactly what I was looking for in a patrol/volcano pack.

I’ve owned a Porter and Prism pack so I already knew I loved Hyperlite stuff. As a self proclaimed backpack nerd this is the closest thing to the perfect bag I have ever found. It has every feature that I would ever want. Plus even one I didn’t think that I wanted, but now can’t live without. The stretchy back pouch is the most useful thing ever. Great for skins, jackets, or just about anything you can think of that you want get rid of the way quickly.

But… There is one annoying issue. The back panel entrance (which was the thing I was most excited for) extends out when you put stuff instead. It makes for a much more thinner/ rounded contact with your back than their other bags. It also makes the zippers a little difficult to operate because they don’t lay flat. I was bummed because the other Hyperlite bags I’ve had are the best fitting and most comfortable bags I have ever worn.

Besides that it’s perfect.

This is actually my second Crux 40 backpack, only because some not so nice people stole all of my gear in Argentina a few days before a ski expedition to Antarctica. Soon after the robbery, I called up Hyperlite and they were able to overnight a new bag to a person I've never met before they went to the airport in Vermont to meet me on the other side of the world. The customer service team rushed to action to help save my expedition and I cannot express more gratitude to the Hyperlite team.

Now for the pack... This thing SLAPS! As a skier with a photography addiction, I often travel with a lot of camera gear. This pack allows me to carry everything I could possibly need in the backcountry, plus all my cameras and lenses. The pack has dedicated storage for avy tools and you can even room to put your ice axe and helmet inside the pack so you don't accidentally stab someone or pop a zodiac as you cruise through the ice in the Antarctic waters. The mesh pouch on the back is perfect to throw your skins in if you're doing hot laps and are too lazy to access the inside of your pack or to stash an extra layer for when you overdress on the skin track. The hip pocket has plenty of room for your snacks and sun screen while you're working hard on that sweet goggle tan. The removable brain is great too! For large days, I keep it on and stuff it full of my headlamp, extra batteries, ski straps, and backcountry repair kit. On short days where the inside of my back is pretty empty, I'll…