Best Snowboard Backpacks of 2024

Authors: Rob Thijssen, Holly Price | Updated: Jan 27, 2024
We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. Learn more.

The Short Version

Best Overall: Dakine Heli Pro 20L
Best Avalanche Pack: Black Diamond JetForce Pro 25L
Best Women’s: Dakine Heli Pro 20L – Women’s Fit
Best for Freeride: Ortovox Free Rider 22L
Best for Backcountry: Jones DSCNT 32L R.A.S
Runner Up for Backcountry: BCA Stash 40
Best on a Budget: Dakine Heli Pack 12L

The Long Version

So you’ve decided to pick up the snowboarding lifestyle, eh? Good for you! You’ve got your boots, board and bindings and you’re amped up for the new season. We don’t blame you!

But when you look around the resort, you see a lot of riders wearing a backpack. Do you really need a snowboard backpack? And if so, how do you choose one?

A snowboarding backpack is a great way to keep organized during a day on the slopes. After all, you might be needing a few things like a tool, some snacks and water and maybe an extra pair of snowboard goggles or gloves.

More importantly, when you venture off into the realm of freeriding and backcountry, a snowboarding backpack becomes a must-have. That’s when things like an avalanche shovel, probe, an extra layer, and maybe your skins (when you’re earning your turns) all have to be carried on your back.

But some packs are better designed and better built than others. And for snowboarding, a few snow-specific features can come in handy.

In this article we look at the best snowboard backpacks on the market today – hopefully helping you decide on which pack is the best for your situation. So let’s get crackin’!

If you love reading this review of the best snowboard backpacks, then you'll likely love reading some of our other snowboarding related content:

Best Overall: DAKINE HELI PRO 20L

MATERIAL: Nylon, Polyester, Recycled Polyester

VOLUME: 1,200 cu in / 20L

CLAIMED WEIGHT: 30 oz / 860 g

PROS: A legendary and complete pack with a lot of useful features

CONS: You need to take it off when riding the lift

The snowboard backpacks from Dakine are a fan favorite among many serious riders worldwide. Since it first came out 25 years ago, the Heli Pro has gained a legendary status in the snowboard scene, whether you’re riding the groomers or charging at a technical tree run.

This snowboard backpack is made of a mix of sturdy 600D recycled polyester, 400D nylon and a nylon ripstop face. This killer combo makes it a super bomber pack, and with the proper care will last you for years, and we speak from experience!

The fabric is treated with a water repellent finish, preventing water and snow from entering. It has plenty of different compartments like a fleece lined sunglasses/goggle pocket and an internal mesh pocket for storing your car keys and small items. It also has a specially designed snow safety tool pocket, so you have the quickest access possible when things turn grim. Plus, there is a 24 liter version if you need a little extra volume.

One word of warning is that it’s quite big if you’re only using it within the resort – you would have to take it off every time you ride the lift. Sizing down to Heli Pack 12L would solve this, while still providing more than enough storage for resort days.

A big improvement over older iterations is the laptop/hydration sleeve. This way you can use your Camelbak when you’re hiking to that secret powder stash, or safely store your laptop after editing your epic action footage.

The ski/snowboard carrying options are also virtually endless. You can carry your board both vertically and horizontally. And if you happen to experience a brain fart one day and end up on skis, there’s still no need to worry. With the Heli Pro 20L you can also carry your skis up the mountain, either in an A-frame setup or diagonally. A hip belt and sternum strap also keeps everything stable on your back.

The Dakine Heli Pro 20L is an excellent snowboard backpack if you want a versatile and durable piece of equipment. And the price is very reasonable for the quality of the design and build!

Best Avalanche Pack: BLACK DIAMOND JETFORCE PRO 25L

MATERIAL: Dynex 210D + PE 220D

VOLUME: 1525 cu in / 25L

CLAIMED WEIGHT: 6 lbs 5 oz / 2870 g (S/M)

PROS: A lighter, smaller and better positioned design

CONS: Limited versatility,I airbag compartment zipper tends to come undone.

Black Diamond shook the foundations of the avalanche airbag industry with their revolutionary Jetforce technology, and the JetForce Pro 25L continues that trajectory.

This updated version has many improvements over its predecessors. Setting off with the exterior, the Dynex 200D + Polyethylene (PE) 200D material is durable and built to laugh at abrasive snow, ice and rock. The modular design lets you switch between a 35-liter, 25-liter or 10-liter zip-on, making this pack big enough for a multi-day backcountry trip, or a lift-supported freeride adventure.

The JetForce airbag with PIEPS technology uses a battery-powered fan system. This system which makes it a lot more lightweight and travel-friendly than almost every other avy bag out there, as most use a pressurized canister to inflate the airbag. You can only bring these cartridges on an airplane empty, and then refill them again after landing.

Not only light and travel friendly, the JetForce also has the ability to deploy multiple times on a single charge. It’s also equipped with Bluetooth connectivity which makes for easy software updates and setting personalisation.

A feature that really fires us up, though, is the automatic deflation after a few minutes. This way, an air pocket beneath the compacted snow is created, increasing your chance of survival even more.

A new, lower-profile design improves the way the pack carries. Other features like a dedicated snow tools pocket, ice tool and tuck-away ski attachments, and a redesigned leg loop strap make it into one of the most well-rounded avalanche backpacks on today’s market. It comes in 2 sizes, depending on the length of your back. In truth, this review only touches on a few of the long list of features found on this superb pack.

The JetForce 25L is less versatile than many other regular snowboard backpacks, because of its weight. It’s unlikely that you’ll be bringing this bad boy when you’re just going for a few laps in the resorts. But it’s the best added safety option money can buy when you’re out in the backcountry.

Best Women’s: DAKINE HELI PRO 20L WOMEN’S

MATERIAL: Recycled Polyester

VOLUME: 1200 cu in/ 20L

CLAIMED WEIGHT: 25.6 oz / 860 g

PROS: Slim design great for use on lifts

CONS: Not as roomy as the 24L model for backcountry equipment

It should come as no surprise that our best overall women’s snowboard backpack pick is yet again the Dakine Heli Pro, but with the added benefit of shaping and tailoring to better suit the female body. Designed for quick-hit missions and sidecountry quests, the 20L bag isn’t as beefy (or as comfortable) as Dakine’s 24L unisex option, but still has enough room for the essentials such as tools, an extra layer, snacks and hydration bladder, which is why we’ve chosen it as the best overall.

The women’s specific fit is complemented by the 38mm padded hip belt, designed to be more comfortable for those who will really be earning their turns and carrying heavier loads. It offers versatile carry options for both skis and snowboards, with a range of three different color and design options for a customized feel. In terms of pockets – there’s one for everything. A front organizer pocket provides easy access to your tools, with built-in compartments for the obvious ones, while a fleece-lined goggle pocket will ensure yours aren’t getting scratched up. An insulated hydration sleeve (without a reservoir included) doubles up as a 15in laptop pocket, which makes this backpack a truly versatile choice that you can use for in and around the resort in all seasons.

Favorite rider features of this one are really the slim and lightweight design which make it perfect for the lifts with just enough storage for slightly bigger sidecountry missions too.

Best for Freeride: ORTOVOX FREE RIDER 22L

MATERIAL: 400D Polyamide

VOLUME: 1343 cu in / 22L

CLAIMED WEIGHT: 35 oz / 1000 g

PROS: Integrated back protector, l. Light colors inside make it easier to find your stuff.

CONS: Slightly higher price point

When you think of German products, you think of quality. And the equipment made by Ortovox is a prime example of just that.

The Ortovox Free Rider 22L has an integrated SPS (Spine Protection System) Flex Back Protector that stays flexible even in cold temperatures. This system is built from eight different pads, adapts to the body and absorbs every impact. Besides, it is TÜV-certified, which is one of the highest safety standards worldwide.

In addition to the optimized back protector, the Free Rider 22 S has some new features. To start with, the broad, elasticated hip belt and the close-fitting silhouette ensure the backpack sits tightly against your back and doesn’t shake around, no matter how active you are. And since only a good-fitting back protector can provide real protection, the Free Rider is available in 3 back lengths: small, regular and large.

Standard features include a designated safety compartment for your avalanche gear, ice axe attachments, ski and snowboard carrying options, and a helmet net. A standout feature is the lighter-colored fabric used on the inside. This makes it a lot easier to find your gear.

If you’re a fan of this pack but also want the added safety of an avalanche bag, it might be worth considering the Free Rider 22 Avabag. With this one you can remove the airbag unit when you don’t need it.

The Ortovox Free Rider 22 S isn’t the lightest snowboarding backpack out there, but for the weight penalty you get the added security of top-notch German craftsmanship with premium materials. Plus, the extra weight makes you go faster on the descent!

Best for Backcountry: JONES DSCNT 32L R.A.S.

MATERIAL: PVC-free PU coated 450D nylon

VOLUME: 1953 cu in / 32L

CLAIMED WEIGHT: 56 oz / 1600 g

PROS: Removable airbag system

CONS: Some added volume (~40L) would be better for backcountry versatility

If you like snowboarding as much as we do, you’ve probably heard of Jeremy Jones – regarded by many as the greatest big mountain rider of all time. So it’s only logical that snowboarding backpacks from Jones are designed with the most demanding objectives in mind. Trust us, there’s a reason this backpack has been described as “the flagship product when it comes to having a technical pack to do everything in the most testing of terrain” and “the ultimate tour pack for technical backcountry terrain.”

The Jones Descent line has been around for a while. The DSCNT 32 is the biggest pack in this line and is an exceptional backpack for those long backcountry adventures. Since you’re likely carrying heavier loads on such trips, the boys at Jones included an internal aluminum suspension frame to distribute the weight evenly.

Over the course of a few seasons, they’ve really cut away all the fat and what’s left is a backpack for the backcountry purist. Those typical places where the material wears and tears have been reinforced and they experimented with some different fabrics.

The fabric is made from PVC-free PU coated nylon, which is better for the environment, as well as better for the workers that make the actual fabric. This choice lies perfectly in line with the mission of Jeremy’s non-profit organization Protect Our Winters of reversing the effects of climate change.

Features on this pack include an avalanche tools compartment, dual hip belt pockets, ice axe loops, a helmet holder, and gear loops. The zippered back panel also gives you easy access to the bottom of the pack when you’re carrying a full load. The Removable Airbag System 3.0 from Mammut (sold separately) allows you to use it with or without an avy bag.

The Jones DSCNT 32 is one of the largest snowboard backpacks in this review and is a kick-ass pack for your next backcountry mission.

Runner Up for Backcountry: BCA STASH 40

MATERIAL: 210D Rip-stop Nylon, 420D Nylon

VOLUME: 2440 cu in / 40L

CLAIMED WEIGHT: 58 oz / 1642 g

PROS: Adjustable waist belt, removable top lid, rope strap

CONS: No horizontal snowboard carry option available, waist buckle can be difficult to handle with gloved hands

Whether you’re waist deep in pow just out of bounds or going on an overnight backcountry adventure, the Backcountry Access (BCA) Stash 40 is a pack that delivers.

The exterior is made from a mix of 210D rip-stop nylon and 420D heavy-duty nylon, which in plain English means that this pack is sturdy and can withstand the abuse that comes with exploring alpine terrain. The area where the steel edges of your board or skis touch the fabric is also reinforced.

This pack also has some pretty cool features. You can position the tuck-away helmet net either on top or at the front of the pack, depending on the way you attach your skis. For those spring-time missions it has dual ice axe attachments and you can attach your skis in an A-frame or a diagonal setup. You can only carry your board vertically though, which can cause you to bump the back of your head when looking up while ascending a steep slope.

A fully adjustable waist belt lets you create a perfect fit, depending on your torso length. Together with the sternum strap and side compression straps it keeps everything in a tight package. This comes in particularly handy when you’re taking a nasty tomahawk with you.

A zippered back panel allows easy access and an internal support frame and additional load lifters allow you to draw in those heavier loads closer to your body. If you’re really packing heavy, you can remove the top lid so you can load that puppy up.

On the inside, the Stash 40 has a separate avalanche tools pocket, which also serves as storage for your wet items, like your skins. This way the rest of your gear stays nice and dry. There’s also a special webbing to secure your BCA link radio.

All in all, the BCA Stash 40 is an excellent snowboard backpack for both long days in the backcountry as well as shorter days closer to the resort.

View at Amazon

Best on a Budget: DAKINE HELI PACK 12L

MATERIAL: 600D Recycled Polyester + 400D Nylon/Polyester

VOLUME: 732 cu in / 12L

CLAIMED WEIGHT: 27 oz / 770 g

PROS: Small, minimalist pack

CONS: It’s likely too small for freeride adventures

You might wonder why Dakine again made it to this list, and no, we’re not sponsored by them.

It’s simply because they make excellent snowboarding backpacks!

The Dakine Heli Pack 12L (men’s and women’s) is a smaller version of the overall winner in this review. The obvious advantage is that it’s about the same length and width as its bigger brother, but only half the depth. This comes in handy when you’re mostly doing laps within the resort and use the lifts a lot. It’s flat enough that you can keep it on your back while sitting down on the chair.

It comes with many of the same features as the Heli Pro 20, even the snow tool sleeve on the inside. So if you live by the motto ‘less is more’, this pack is the one for you.

It also has a very accessible price point for when you prefer to spend your hard-earned money on the finer things in life, like more days off to actually go snowboarding!

BUYING ADVICE FOR SNOWBOARD BACKPACKS

How to choose a snowboard backpack?

First define the type of pack you’ll need. You do this by thinking about where you’ll be using the pack the most, and what kind of circumstances you’ll be facing.

DAY PACKS: If you’re mostly riding the lift-served side country, a pack up to 20 liters is likely enough to bring all you need. An extra layer, some snacks and water, sunscreen, and maybe an extra pair of goggles or mittens are things you might want to bring.

FREERIDE BACKPACKS: If you’re spending a full day up to your neck in powder, a special freeride backpack might be a good option for you. These are often between 20 and 30 liters and have a special compartment for your avalanche probe and shovel. Some freeride packs are compatible with a removable airbag system, increasing your level of safety when a slide occurs.

BACKCOUNTRY BACKPACKS: When going on a trip into the backcountry, you need to bring a lot of gear. Avalanche tools, skins, crampons, extra layers, and snacks, to name a few. All this gear has to fit, preferably inside your pack. A 40-liter snowboard pack should be enough for a long trip or even an overnighter. Like the freeride packs, these also have a ‘wet room’ for avalanche safety gear and equipment that gets wet, like skins.

This designated compartment is one of the things that separates snowboard packs from hiking packs, and is crucial when going out into the backcountry. In an avalanche rescue, time is of the essence and you should be able to get your tools out fast, without having to unpack your whole pack.

AVALANCHE BACKPACKS: A revolution we’ve been seeing and that’s become more and more popular over the last decade, is the avalanche airbag, or avy bag. Research has shown that these do save a lot of lives, although it’s not a guarantee for survival in an avalanche. They are slightly heavier and cost a lot more money, but it’s definitely worth considering if you are heading into the backcountry.

REMEMBER! Having the safety gear is only part of the equation. If you don’t know how to use it, it’s useless. Get familiar with your gear during an avalanche course from a certified instructor.

How should a snowboard backpack fit?

After you’ve decided what you’re going to use the backpack for, it’s time to see how it fits. Even if you think it’s your dream pack, if it doesn’t fit you, there’s no use in buying it.

LENGTH & SIZING: When you’re trying on a snowboard pack, keep in mind that you’ll be wearing a lot more layers when actually using it. Some packs also have several different lengths, like the Ortovox Free Rider 22. The length of the pack should match the length of your torso. You can often find this in the manufacturer’s sizing chart.

TEST IT WITH WEIGHT! Try it on with some weight in it to see how it feels, and see if the waist belt and shoulder straps adjust for a comfortable fit. After all, an empty pack is always comfortable.

Additional features

BOARD CARRY SYSTEM: Another feature on a snowboard-specific backpack is the option to carry your board. This is possible either vertically or horizontally – the direction you carry it comes down to personal preference, but the main thing is that the pack can accommodate your board.

HELMET CARRY SYSTEM: Wearing a snowboarding helmet whilst riding is always a good idea – to protect your precious dome. But a way of securing it to your pack while hiking up is very convenient.

HYDRATION BLADDER COMPATIBILITY: If you use a hydration bladder, look for a special sleeve and clip on the inside, against your back. You might also want to check the sizing of the hydration bladder compartment, particularly if you already own a bladder that you plan to use.

ICE AXE / POLE LOOPS: Poles are a must when hiking. And when the terrain gets steep, you’ll be glad you brought an ice axe. If you plan to go backcountry, then look for a pack with ice axe and pole loops, so you’ll have somewhere to stash them when not in use.

ZIPPERED BACK ACCESS: When you’re carrying a full pack this feature is a life saver. A zippered back gives you access to the bottom of your pack without unloading it entirely. It also prevents you from having to place the backside of the pack onto the cold snow, thus getting wet and uncomfortable.

COMPRESSION STRAPS: These let you compress the pack into a tight package, so it’s less likely to tip you off your balance. This is important in a sport like snowboarding, where you'll regularly be shifting your body weight as a method of control.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Can you snowboard with a backpack? It's common for snowboarders to wear backpacks for carrying essentials like water, snacks, and extra layers at the resort. In the backcountry and slackcountry, a snowboard backpack is essential.

Can you use a hiking backpack for snowboarding? While you can use a hiking backpack for snowboarding, you will be far better off with a specialized snowboarding backpack. These are designed with features like snowboard-carrying straps and compartments tailored to snow tools. They provide better safety, functionality, and convenience.

How do you strap a snowboard to a backpack? Strapping a snowboard to a backpack is easier with a specialized snowboarding backpack. These typically straps along the back of the backpack, allowing you to secure your board for hands-free transport.

What size is best for a snowboard backpack? The best size for a snowboard backpack depends on your needs and the gear you carry. For chill resort days, a small 12L pack is often more than enough. Backcountry terrain requires more gear, so medium to large packs, between 20 and 40L are better.

MORE INFORMATION

If you loved this article for snow gear-fiends, then you'll likely love dropping into some of our other ski and snowboard related content:

Or check out our entire list of Gear Reviews, Knowledge Base Articles, or Destination Guides for more snow and outdoors related content.

Best Snowboard Backpacks [2024 UPDATE]