Description of Arc'teryx Silo 40 Backpack - 2319-2746cu in:
The Arc'teryx Silo 40 Backpack carries either skis or a snowboard and holds enough gear for a full dawn-to-dusk day or backcountry riding. This roll-top backpack includes a front shovel pocket for quick access in the event of an avalanche. Arc'teryx gave the Silo 40 Backpack 2440cu inches of cargo space to carry the food, water, and extra clothes for your all-day backcountry tours. Burly Superpack nylon fabric holds up to tons of abuse, and Hypalon reinforcements ensure that even the nastiest yard sale couloir crash won't wreck this versatile pack.
Bottom Line: Load up the Arc'teryx Silo 40 Backpack for ski tours that last longer than the daylight.
I own this pack in size 'short' - it took me all winter and most of spring and summer to finally locate a good backcountry board pack and buy it. So far (obviously) I haven't been able to use it on a tour or while sled skiing but I did use it last weekend to climb a technical peak, and while it isn't really a climbing pack (a little heavy), it was the perfect size for a summer bivy trip and extremely comfortable (I also own a bigger women's Bora pack, also very comfortable) despite being very full while climbing and hopping over mile-long talus and boulder fields. I actually really like the rolltop so far- while it definitely takes two hands (vs. zippered packs), it opens up all the way instantly. The shape of it (wide at top, narrow at the bottom) makes it very easy to 1)pack it; 2)find/feel for things inside it; and 3)unpack it. Also, the burly straps for gear/snowboard look like they will hold up much longer than skinnier straps on other packs I was looking at (i.e. osprey switch 25 or 36). I originally bought the BCA stash BC rider pack, but it was WAY too long (I am almost 5'5"). One thing I noticed but don't care about at all is that you can't really overstuff this pack- the roll top closure doesn't really work if you have too much stuff in it, and it is a little harder to cram shut.
I just used the Arc'teryx Silo 40 Backpack for a two day tour in the backcountry and I really like the suspension and frame on the pack - heavier loads were no problem at all. There is a good hydration system and access is nice via a side loading front pocket and top loading main compartment. I think the closure system on the top is a hassle but it does keep snow out (I planted my head about 4 feet into a wind drift and everything stayed dry). The ski carry could also use improvement but is functional enough.
Super comfy, bullet proof construction and if you have issues, Arc'teryx has customer service right up there w/ backcountry.com. Been attaching my board to this pack all winter and the system is holding up like new! Fish-mouth opening makes it so easy to pack and offers great accessibility to anywhere within the pack. Really slick design and clean-looking; not too much going on on the outside so you don't look like you belong in the Himalayas.
