It’s always refreshing — and even inspiring — to come across a product that was clearly designed by people passionate about the associated activity and desperate for something better. It can be even cooler to see that item then recognized by the cognoscenti.
“The design ethos is not to develop the lightest pack on the market, but a lightweight, fully featured pack that makes you faster through better access, organization and comfort.”
Kyle Siegel, founder and CEO of Raide
That’s exactly what we have with the Raide LF 30L ski touring pack. Launched by Colorado-based backcountry enthusiast Kyle Siegel last year, Raide is already doing big things, as evidenced by the fact that its flagship product just won a well-deserved ISPO award.
While it clearly boasts a number of compelling features, one stands out: the ability to access your potentially life-saving avalanche tools without removing the pack.
Next-level access
Having spent the past few years getting into backcountry splitboarding — and taking my first avalanche course last year — I am not surprised this feature is the one that sealed the ISPO award.
Just doing avalanche drills, where an instructor buries a bag with an avy beacon in the snow, and you have to quickly ID its location, confirm it with your probe and then dig it out with your shovel, you quickly learn that every second counts.
