Gear reviews | ABS Powder Line Base Unit incl. attachments

In addition to the standard safety equipment in the form of an avalanche transceiver, avalanche shovel and probe, avalanche backpacks are becoming increasingly popular as additional safety equipment. For many people, the only deterrent to purchasing an avalanche backpack is the price and the fact that you also have to decide on a specific backpack size: Small and compact or rather large and equipped for all eventualities? The ABS Vario systems are designed to make this decision easier. Various attachments can be mounted on a basic unit with the airbag equipment. This saves money and offers flexibility. The new Powder Line in particular promises to be lightweight, flexible, comfortable and particularly suitable for freeriding and ski touring.

Whether this good basic idea also proves itself in practice when using the various attachments should be examined more closely during the test period. All of the Powder Line attachments were used during the test period. The Powder Line from ABS was tested on around 25 days of ski touring, lift-assisted touring with only a few meters of ascent and pure freeriding.

The base unit: features, workmanship and comfort

The Powder Base Unit from ABS is equipped with the standard ABS TwinBag system. As usual, the release handle is located on the left-hand backpack strap and is height-adjustable (incidentally, it is also available in a left-handed version).

The narrower and shorter back shape compared to the ABS Vario Base offers good carrying comfort, which is further enhanced by the light back padding. The wide straps and the wide hip belt with a large Velcro fastener and hip buckle are also well designed, ensuring that the backpack remains comfortable to carry even with a heavy load: This means the backpack sits firmly, securely and comfortably on the backpack. The height-adjustable chest strap provides additional stabilization. Without the attachment and release unit, the Powder Base Unit weighs 1.9 kg and is therefore also pleasantly light (for an avalanche airbag backpack).

The Base Unit also has a crotch strap. It is rolled up on the hip belt. There are also ski and snowboard holders on the Powder Base Unit, which can be found quickly thanks to small pictures on the 26 l and 15 l attachments. At the marked points at the top and bottom of the backpack, you can pull out a strap integrated into the base unit and mount the skis diagonally on the backpack. However, if you haven't watched the handling video beforehand, you'll spend some time figuring out where best to hook the fastening strap ends.

The Powder Base Unit offers a solid and well thought-out basis for a freeride backpack and the design is also well done.

The Powder Base Unit can be used with three different attachments (8 l, 15 l, 26 l), which can be easily zipped on with a zipper. The handling is self-explanatory and easy, so that flexible conversion to the respective conditions is quickly possible. All three attachments were put through their paces several times in the field test.

The 8 l attachment: lightweight with compromises

Admittedly, this attachment was used the least in the practical test, as the possible uses are simply extremely limited. It is quite simply very small and is difficult to find enough space for even a lift-assisted, short day of freeriding.

This attachment can be opened at the top with a zipper. It consists of just one compartment, inside there is another SOS label with the emergency numbers, a key loop and it also has an opening for a hydration system on the back of the attachment (although how the drinking tube is supposed to get outside is probably the manufacturer's secret or I'm just not smart enough for that) - but that's it. There is no helmet holder, presumably because the attachment is not used when climbing anyway due to its small volume. The basic safety equipment fits with difficulty, so you can hardly get the zipper closed, even if there is nothing left in the backpack except the shovel and probe. In addition to the shovel and probe, there is realistically room for a (small) drink and wallet - the bare essentials - which is certainly what this attachment is intended for, as it makes no sense for anything else.

The 8 l attachment is made entirely from elastic neoprene. Although the material is hard-wearing, it does not make a very high-quality impression visually. Although the flexibility of the material is positive in terms of getting the most out of the small pack size, this is at the expense of the look, as you can see what's inside the backpack from the outside due to bulges and corners and edges.

Together with the Powder Base Unit, however, the 8 l attachment only weighs an unbeatable 2.1 kg (2.3 kg with carbon release unit, 2.6 kg with steel release unit) - but that doesn't just mean sacrificing weight, but also comfort.

Conclusion on the smallest version: Without a shovel and probe, you have lost nothing off the slopes and this attachment offers those who can only limit themselves to a shovel, probe and two or three other necessary small items a way to store them somehow and also take advantage of an ABS backpack. However, any additional equipment and the associated comfort and visual highlights should be excluded from your expectations. For more difficult and longer adventures, this attachment is better left at home - it is more suitable for runs in the backcountry, which should end at the ski lift.

In daily use

The base unit sits very well both on the ascent and on the descent, regardless of the load volume. The two shoulder straps as well as the hip and chest straps remain in position and do not need to be constantly readjusted.

The 26 l attachment is a really good companion for ski tours. Its layout and features are well thought out, the various compartments offer enough space for safety equipment and other material and it also impresses with its design and material. I spend most of my time on the road with this attachment. In Japan in particular, in addition to my safety equipment (incl. first aid kit and bivouac sack), I was able to easily store skins, a DSLR, drinks and food. A Primaloft jacket and thick gloves also fit in the backpack, especially on the ascent. The ski jacket can be easily attached to one of the numerous fastening options on the outside.

The 15 l attachment is well suited for use on lift-assisted freeride days or for lift-assisted short ski tours, but it is not quite as visually impressive as its bigger brother and also looks less high-quality. I have used it significantly less than the 26 l attachment, but it can also easily carry a DSLR and a drink in addition to the safety equipment.

The 8 l attachment is already very small and can therefore only be used to a limited extent, as you can get practically nothing else in there apart from the safety equipment. However, the price for this attachment is also quite reasonable, so you can easily buy it separately.

The attachments can be changed in a few seconds, so you always have the right model with you. In Japan, I had the 26 l and 15 l attachments with me. However, I always traveled with the 26 l attachment, simply to stay flexible, especially when you're out in the area in the morning and with skins in the afternoon. This simply works best with the 26 l attachment.

In my opinion, the fact that smaller avalanche shovels and probes have a positive effect on the overall volume is not unproblematic. Especially for a trip to Japan, I tested all the shovels and probes I had until I came up with a combination that allowed me to pack all the other items such as skins etc. without any problems. In my opinion, this is not what the inventor intended. I don't know of such a problem with other airbag backpacks. ABS should take this into account when developing new attachments.

Conclusion

The ABS Powder Vario System offers a good way to be equipped for different occasions and still not have to buy several backpacks. Overall, the system is well thought out and the essentials are also well done. The Powder Base Unit has all the desirable and necessary details and offers very good carrying comfort thanks to its wide straps and a wide hip belt. The Powder Base Unit is certainly a good option for men and women who are not too tall. The system doesn't look too bulky (unless you pack the backpack completely full), has a good fit and is also a real treat in terms of weight.

Advantages & amp; Cons

+ flexible
+ lightweight
+ good workmanship of the base unit
+ quick to zip on and off
+ comfortable, padded back section
+ wide, comfortable hip belt
+ wide straps
+ chest and crotch straps
+ all straps are adjustable
+ height-adjustable ABS release handle
+ overall very comfortable to carry
+ well thought-out layout of the 26l and 15l attachment
+ plenty of space in the 26l and 15l attachment
+ numerous external fastening options for the 15l and 26l attachment
+ side pockets on the 26lattachment for quick access

- elastic neoprene on the upper part of the 15-liter and the entire 8-liter attachment does not look particularly high-quality and durable (also not visually convincing)
- few possible uses for the 8-liter attachment
- short shovel handles and short avalanche probes are advantageous for all attachments

Details

Powder Base Unit
RRP € 589,95
ABS® TwinBags with 170 L buoyancy volume
Easy-to-reach grip plate with release handle, which is height-adjustable and available in a left-handed version
Lightweight and elastic neoprene hip belt
Infinitely height-adjustable chest strap
Ergonomically shaped shoulder straps
Integrated crotch strap
Stable, diagonal attachment of skis/snowboard directly to the base unit
Thanks to the shorter back plate and close-fitting neoprene hip belt, the Powder Base Unit is also well suited for women and teenagers
The harness frame complies with TÜV requirements for extreme loads (PPE Directive 89/686 EEC)

26 l attachment
RRP € 79,95
Separate emergency compartment
SOS label with international emergency numbers
Sturdy diagonal ski holder directly on the Powder Base Unit
Snowboard and snowshoe holder and snowshoe holder directly on the powder base unit
Detachable helmet holder
Versatile daisy chain attachment options
Hydrobag compatible
Compression option at the bottom
2 side quick-access compartments
Map and lid compartment
Valuables compartment

15 l attachment
RRP € 59,95
Separate emergency compartment
SOS label with international emergency numbers
Stable diagonal ski holder directly on the Powder Base Unit
Snowboard and snowshoe holder directly on the Powder Base Unit
Detachable helmet holder
Versatile daisy chain fastening options
Hydrobag compatible
Valuables compartment

8 l attachment
RRP €39.95
It is equipped with the following features:
SOS label with international emergency numbers
Sturdy diagonal ski holder directly on the Powder Base Unit
Snowboard and snowshoe holder directly on the Powder Base Unit
Hydrobag compatible

Here is the manufacturer's website with further information, here you can order the Base Unit, the 26l, 15l and 8l attachment from our partner store Bergzeit.