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First Look: Arc’teryx’s Alpha SL Pack

By

Gavin Hess

Shown here are an external “essentials” pocket, and a small bungee to secure the axe shaft. (The Alpha SL accommodates two axes.)

Shown here are an external “essentials” pocket, and a small bungee to secure the axe shaft. (The Alpha SL accommodates two axes.)

  Googling ‘Arc’teryx Alpha SL Pack’ comes up with results of a lidded, shock cord zig-zagged pack, maybe the anorak jacket of a few years ago, and a few links to a translucent white climbing pack with a super minimal and futuristic appearance. This is the Alpha SL we are here to discuss. The big…

Responses

  1. Mason Sheats

    I like some more features personally (for ski packs) but the new fabric seems pretty cool

    1. Gavin Hess

      Hey Mason, Totally agree – the lack of organization for avalanche gear is a bit tough to swallow for most skiing. Consider this a step in the direction of some summer gear coverage for us, in addition to showing off a pretty cool new fabric.

  2. Patrick Fink

    I’d like to see the Arc’teryx Micon Litric capacitor airbag system built out with the engineering/fabric in this pack system. That would truly be worth a premium.

    1. Slim

      Exactly!

      Airbag systems add weight. So, it would make sense to me, to start with a very light fabric and minimalist design as the “base bag”.

      Millet had an Alpride E1 airbag that used some kind of dyneema fabric and minimalist design that was pretty light at the time. The current E2 version is not the lightest anymore though.

      1. Ezra Grimes

        Scott’s e2 alpride packs have a dyneema version but it’s not heavily marketed in the US and the retail cost is astronomical, around $1600

  3. Timothy Zander Zander

    Looks interesting. My favorite ski mountaineering pack is a Speed 30, this looks similar, though a little more pared down, and quite a bit lighter.
    I’d love to hear how it carries. I’m also quite partial to a brain on a pack like this. Would be nice if that was an option.

  4. Colby

    Looks sweet, kind of like a knockoff Apocalypse Sac. If you’re paying $400, being able to customize your feature set seems like the better option. FWIW I’m a huge fan of the alpha packs for skiing, one iteration or another has been my daily driver for almost a decade. I’m sure I’m in the minority on this forum but I think a big bucket with a drawstring closure is really all you need.

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