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Advenate Surface IAS 32 | Presentation & first test

Introducing the innovative ISPO Award winner - Update January 2021: now with long-term gear review!

by Alex Schober • 01/07/2019
With the Integrated Avalanche System from Advenate, another innovative product in the avalanche backpack sector is coming onto the market for the 2018/2019 winter season. The principle behind the Advenate system: In addition to an airbag function, the IAS also has a breathing system, which is designed to increase survival time under the snowpack in the event of a burial. We have already spent some time on the mountain with the Surface IAS 32 and had a first look at it.

In the event of burial by an avalanche, the probability of survival is significantly reduced after just a short time under the snow cover. Despite the increasing use of avalanche equipment and airbag backpacks, the mortality rate is still around 13%.

Although airbag backpacks reduce the probability of (full-body) burial, they are of course no guarantee of survival in the event of an avalanche. In the event of a burial, in addition to injuries caused by falling and blunt force trauma, the risk of suffocation due to lack of oxygen is a decisive risk factor. The exhaled air contains a high proportion of carbon dioxide, which in turn is inhaled and, in extreme cases, causes the victim to suffocate.

This is precisely where the Advenate IAS system comes in: The breathing system separates the inhaled air from the exhaled air and releases it to the outside through a tube system at the bottom of the backpack. The release handle of the airbag system acts as a mouthpiece, which is inserted into the mouth in the event of an avalanche and fixed in the mouth like a snorkel. This means that both rescue systems can be activated simultaneously. The separation of "used" air and fresh air guarantees up to 60 minutes of breathing time, according to the manufacturer. In addition, the Alpride airbag system with a volume of 150 liters provides sufficient buoyancy to prevent burial altogether if possible.

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In the practical test, the backpack feels good and is particularly impressive thanks to its numerous, well thought-out details. For example, numerous pockets, fastenings, straps and compartments are used on the Surface IAS 32 that we tested.

The airbag system can of course be tested without a cartridge for training purposes, which is highly recommended due to the changed sequence of movements. The first few times I found it strange to bring the airbag release handle to my mouth and - like a snorkel - bite down on it to fix it in my mouth. After a few dry runs, however, this sequence of movements can be mastered without any problems. Despite the relatively thick tube in one of the shoulder straps, the backpack still feels very comfortable on the back even with skis attached to it.

We still have one small point of criticism, namely the hydration bladder holder and feed-through for the tube. The former is relatively deep in the backpack, which means that larger hydration bladders (in my case 3L Source Bag) rest on the bottom and create bubbles. The hose feed-through is relatively narrow and tends to squeeze the hose a little.

Nonetheless, we are very enthusiastic about the backpack so far and look forward to testing it extensively for you on further tours and freeride days. Stay tuned and be curious to see if the backpack can also convince in the long-term gear review.

In addition to the 32 liter version we tested, there will also be a 14 and a 24 liter version.

For more information, go HERE to the manufacturer's website.

This product was provided to PowderGuide.com by the manufacturer free of charge for testing. You can find out how we test it in our test statement.

On the next page you can access the long-term gear review --> ...

Long-term gear review

Now that I have been able to test the backpack extensively over several seasons, it's time for a final conclusion and a long-term gear review of the backpack.

The first positive impression is still confirmed after roughly 100 days of use: most of the details still seem very well thought out and the backpack is also very durable.

Signs of wear and tear

Under normal circumstances, you probably wouldn't notice that the Advenate IAS 32 has been worn for several seasons. Unfortunately, in my case, a fall in rocky terrain led to minor injuries on the back and one side of the backpack. Nevertheless, it is still fully usable - there are only slight tears and a small hole. Considering that this crash completely destroyed an entire ski outfit (jacket & pants) as well as a Scarpa Maestrale RS, you really can't complain about the slight marks on the backpack!

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Ascent & material attachment on and in the backpack

The backpack usually seems a little smaller in volume than it really is: The adjustable straps, which can also be used to attach skis or a splitboard to the side of the backpack, compress the backpack perfectly and, should you need the space, free up a lot of storage space inside. In addition to avalanche equipment, it is therefore no problem to stow complete glacier equipment, provisions, tea and a down jacket. The removable helmet holder could be a little tighter to prevent the helmet from getting lost when sprinting to the bus. Another small drawback are the straps on the ice axe holder, both of which I lost after half a season. These are not fixed to the backpack, but attached with an eyelet. It would probably be smarter to sew them on at least at one end or attach them in some other way - or simply put them in one of the numerous pockets when not in use.

The attachment of skis/snowboards, on the other hand, is a great solution, works quickly and holds firmly. The same applies to the carrying comfort in general with a lot of luggage on the backpack: even with skis, two ice axes, rope, ice screws, ski poles, etc., the backpack is still quite comfortable to carry.

Descent

The aforementioned compressibility of the backpack also shows its advantages on the descent. If you tighten the side straps as well as the shoulder and hip straps well, the backpack sits perfectly on your back and hardly loses its position on the body even on bigger jumps.

What bothers me with many backpacks are the hip straps that loosen or widen on their own, forcing you to tighten them at regular intervals. This is hardly necessary with the Advenate IAS 32, as the buckle of the hip belt closes very well and prevents the fabric from slipping through.

General carrying comfort

The tube system inside the shoulder strap is a little tight, especially when the zipper is closed, but this is no longer a problem as soon as you open the zipper of the strap and put the tube in the intended position. I never had to use the various adjustment options for adjusting the length of the tube system, as the tube was already the correct length from the start. The adjustable chest strap could be a little shorter, as it may still be too long for narrow people even at its shortest. For me, it is just about possible to tighten it.

Conclusion

In my opinion, the Advenate IAS 32 is an innovative, well thought-out backpack that combines added safety with few compromises in other areas. For me, there was or is no reason to use a conventional airbag backpack for a ski tour or a freeride day instead of this backpack. Besides, it's always fun to support a local, innovative company!

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