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Avalanche Airbag Comparison | 01/26/2011, by rwberman


The first thing that everyone grabs when they thing they are going into the backcountry is your beacon, shovel, probe and that mix tape from the summer of '81. Standards for safety in the backcountry right? Well, at Outdoor Retailer, the airbag systems are making the biggest push to be a necessity along with you beacon probe and shovel when heading out into the backcountry. Five companies are showcasing their finest in airbag technology. 

Our Conclusions:
Here are our top two airbags that will be coming out in 2011/2012. If you are thinking of buying one, be sure it is one of these:

Best Bang for Your Buck:
BCA wins this award. They come in with the least expensive airbag on the market. BCA is known for their quality craftsmanship and their airbags are a great choice for those who want a tested and true airbag at a good price. BCA stands behind eveything they make so you know your investment in their airbag is a great one.

Big Pimpin Spending G's
This award goes to Snowpulse. If you have some extra cash and want supreme-ultra-super-duper-protection go with the Snowpulse Lifebag model. It is the only airbag that protects your vital areas (except your family jewels) from trauma and increases your chances of ending up with your head on top of the avalanche debris.  Other airbag systems will tend to end up with the airbag above the snow, but you'll most likely be head down just under the surface. 

So that's our take, but you can decide for yourself:
Note: When viewing the videos, be sure to know that some of the airbag cynldiers were not filled to capacity and actual fill times will be faster.

Avalanche Airbag Comparison Chart
 Pack Removable? Trauma
Protection?		 Head
on Top?		 Refill
Method		 # of
Pack Models		 Weight
(lbs)		 Price
(Approx)
 ABS/Millet/Arva
(& Northface in 2012)

airbag: ABS		 Depends
on model		 No  No Buy new
cartridge		  6  5.2 - 7.4
$1040+
 BCA

airbag: BCA		 No No  No Scuba
shop		  3  6.5 - 8  $685-785
Mammut/Snowpulse

airbag: Snowpulse
(R.A.S. model)		 Yes No  No Scuba
shop		  3  6.7 - 6.9  $840+
Mystery Ranch

airbag: Avi Vest		 Yes No  No Scuba
shop		  1  +/- 8  $850
Snowpulse

airbag: Snowpulse
(Lifebag model)		 No Yes  Yes Scuba
shop		  4  6 - 7.3  $899+
***All data in this table is unconfirmed, based on prototype models and subject to change.


ABS -  ABS has been making airbags for over 25 years! Their dual side airbag system has a combined 170 liters of space making them the biggest airbag on the market. Two base systems where the airbag is stored has allowed ABS to make 6 packs to fit your needs. Also, ABS has the only cableless handle system as well as a wireless activation so you can remotely trigger your buddies pack if he is in need of a little hand. Their packs start around $1040.







Backcountry Access (BCA) - The Float backpack is the least expensive airbag backpack on the market and comes in three sizes 18 liters, 30 liters, and 36 liters. In it's second year of production now, BCA has improved many of the features on the pack and airbag system. For example, the back panel now has a separate compartment that zips open to provide access to all of your ski gear. The BCA bags start around $685.







Mammut - The Ride Airbag system or RAS is a removable airbag system that can either go into a 22 liter or 30 liter pack. From personally playing around with this pack it was very easy to repack the airbag. The Mammut airbag starts around $840.







Mystery Ranch - Mystery Ranch specializes in user-friendly, durable ski packs and their airbag pack doesn't disappoint. The Blackjack pack ($850) comes airbag equipped but can be removed and replaced with a empty brain making it a great pack for both winter and summer backcountry use. 








Snow Pulse -  Snow Pulse has two airbag systems. Their Trauma Protection Lifebag series is a system that fully protects the head, shoulders and down the chest- making it what they claim is the safest system out there. The other system is a removable airbag system (R.A.S) with a square shaped airbag. Having two models, Snow Pulse has a variety of packs to accommodate your backcountry needs ranging from 6 to 7.2 lbs in weight. Snow Pulse prices start right around $900.






Other Companies- Stay tuned for partnerships between The North Face and ABS in 2012.  ABS also partners with Arva and Millet, but packs from these companies are not yet available in the US.

Have you used one of these avalanche airbags?  Please share your feedback, comments & questions!
Gear, gear, more gear & some beer
3 Ways to Make Beacon Practice More...


That's Our Opinion. What's Yours?

Jason wrote on 01/26/11 at 11:55:20 am pst:

I have been looking into these. How is the BCA's pack size and fit? It seems really small.


powderjunky wrote on 01/26/11 at 11:57:27 am pst:

I know the guy in the video is a pretty tall guy and he loved the way the bag fit, I am not sure the exact size though.


Luke Lubchenco wrote on 01/26/11 at 3:31:39 pm pst:

The pack fits really nice... (I'm the person powderjunky is referring to) Of course there is no way to know for everybody, but at 6' tall, It felt like the back support and shoulders were lined up really nicely and it would support a load well also.


Pierre Askmo wrote on 09/28/11 at 01:56:53 am pst:

I found this review cursive to a fault. I have no skin in this game other than objectivity. What is not said is that the only statistically valid data available to date on this market is for the ABS packs (as they are the only ones that have been around long enough). The 4th column in your comparison table is a patented feature of one of the vendors (difficult to show objectivity under those circumstances). To say that the two ABS bags going from your head down to your butt offer no traum protecction is curious. Finally, other than "floatabilty" none of the features the most talked up in this review have yet been validated by the SLF in Davos, THE research institute in these matters.
Now, don't get me wrong: I do believe all these bags are good products but any comparisons should only be made after a thorough understanding of the data, the research and the forces in play as well as a serious dose of objectivity. This is too serious a matter for "cursive".
In the mean time the good thing you are doing is bringing awareness to these VERY important avalanche safety solutions.


Tim Rogers wrote on 10/13/11 at 01:48:54 am pst:

Snowpulse is the best so far as this is the only bag that gives Trauma Protection to the Head, Neck & chest area. Also the Head-on-top technology is not available with any other bag. ABS is a very flappy design which does not protect you from trauma and they are also recalling their cylinders. As far as the cylinders goes they do not have any arrangement in the local region for re-filling. The user has to send it to the company for re-filling. Considering all this Snowpulse is the best choice so far over all the other brands.


John G wrote on 10/13/11 at 01:53:22 am pst:

Snowpulse is the best so far becasue it protects from trauma. It securely covers the head, neck and the chest of the victim as this feature is not available with any other brand.

Snowpulse is the latest technology and the most reliable in the case of an avalanche.

Snowpulse also uses re-useable & re-fillable cylinders which is in the case of ABS is not available. ABS insists in calling the cylinders to them for refill and again sends it.

Snowpulse is the best buy so far !!



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