Gear Review | Arva Reactor 24

First impression

Design and storage space
On first inspection, the ARVA R24 makes a good impression. The compact, simple and elongated design stands out positively, the avalanche airbag is packed on the side, which leads to a weight distribution over the entire backpack and offers plenty of storage space inside. According to the manufacturer, the backpack itself weighs 2100 g. Including the carbon cartridge (320 g), the empty backpack still weighs less than 2.5 kg.

The various storage compartments are well thought out; avalanche shovel and probe have space in a simple separate "safety compartment" and can be secured with two rubber eyelets. The main compartment shares the space for the necessary day equipment with the airbag deployment unit and the cartridge required to deploy the airbag. The carbon cartridge is available for 140 euros and weighs 320 grams. As an alternative to the carbon cartridge, the steel cartridge can also be used, which weighs 490 grams and costs 70 euros. The front of the backpack has a snow goggle compartment and a narrow map compartment on the front of the "safety compartment".

Safety - The double airbag system
The double airbag system with a capacity of 150 litres (2×75 litres) is advertised by the manufacturer as the lightest, most compact and most efficient 2-chamber airbag system on the market. The shape and positioning of the airbags are designed to maximise the buoyancy effect in the avalanche. The inflation system is intended to offer a compact, lightweight (790 g) product with optimum performance characteristics in practical use. The airbag system can be removed from the backpack and installed in other compatible backpacks. Arva currently offers four different models in the sizes 18l, 24l (test rucksack), 25l and 32l.

Test report

As a snowboarder and splitboarder, I naturally prefer to be out and about in powder snow. When the deep snow slopes near the lifts become less accessible, I switch to the splitboard for day tours up to around 1500 metres in altitude. I have tested the ARVA 24 on several day tours up to 1200 metres in altitude and when freeriding in the ski area.

The R24 is very comfortable to wear for my height of 190cm (and weight of 88kg) thanks to its slim and elongated shape. It can be adjusted to your personal anatomy in just a few minutes using the 3d fit technology and positioned comfortably on your hips. However, people with shorter backs may reach the limits of the adjustment options... By positioning it on the hips, the weight of the backpack rests well on the hips and the back can be well relieved.

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The simple and well thought-out design means that nothing dangles around unnecessarily. The ski and snowboard holders can be stowed away almost invisibly when not in use. — With the simple and well thought-out design, nothing dangles around unnecessarily. The ski and snowboard holders can be stowed away almost invisibly when not in use.

Arva

Arva Reactor 24

Not only can the length of the shoulder straps be varied, the release lever can also be adjusted to personal preference in two different positions. If the backpack utilises the full length of the shoulder straps, then the release lever can be installed in the lower area. I tried both settings and decided in favour of the upper position. In my opinion, this individualisation function is not very important as you can get used to both positions. However, it is important to test the release function before using it in the field and to internalise the release. This can be practised well with the accessory key supplied and integrated in the main compartment for resetting the release mechanism. If you remove the cartridge, you can pull the trigger without deploying the airbag. This gives you a feel for the deployment. The release spring can be tensioned again using the reset spanner. This can be repeated as often as necessary. I once had an engineer tell me that a relaxed spring is better for storage. So you can release classic avalanche backpacks before the summer break without a cartridge and thus relax the spring for long-term storage.

The backpack needs to be filled before heading out into the terrain. The layout of the storage space is sensibly organised and offers enough room for the important items. Everything you need for a day tour can be stowed in the main compartment - such as skins, crampons, spare clothing, first aid kit, tools, snack and water bottle. As an alternative to the water bottle, the R24 offers the infrastructure for a hydration bladder, which I rarely use. As a splitboarder, I also like to pack my poles in the rucksack, which can be stored in the main compartment and also in the front safety compartment with the avalanche shovel and probe. The contents of the main compartment can also be accessed with a snowboard or skis strapped on.

If you also need a rope and climbing harness for the day tour, there is not enough space in the backpack. The capacity of the R24 is also not sufficient for multi-day tours where more food and a sleeping bag are required. Not only can goggles be stowed in the snow goggle compartment, but there is also a separate compartment with a zip for a smartphone, keys, wallet, etc. Map material can be stored in the flat pocket. Maps can be stored in the flat pocket on the front of the rucksack. This is directly accessible at the front when a snowboard is not being transported on the backpack. The main compartment of the backpack opens very wide thanks to the long zip, providing efficient access when putting on and taking off skins. When it gets a little warmer, jackets, for example, can be stowed away on the outside using the snowboard holder. A helmet can also be attached to the various eyelets outside the backpack. My helmet also had room inside the rucksack on the ascent.

Benni Eggert

Grisons mountains

Marc Stal

The backpack is comfortable to wear on the ascent and does not put unnecessary strain on the back. The weight is distributed over the entire backpack and it does not feel as if the backpack is weighing unevenly on the back. A leg loop on the left side secures the backpack around the thigh so that it is not pulled off over the head in the event of an avalanche. The leg loop is attached to the hip belt with a loop and does not get in the way during use. After a few metres in altitude on my first ascent, I had to readjust the backpack as the straps rubbed a little on my collarbone. I had slight problems when tightening the hip belt: I had to tighten it several times to close it properly so that the weight of the backpack was more on my hips than on my back.

As snowboarders often turn their upper body when riding downhill, a compact backpack that sits close to the body is less sluggish. Although the R24 does not have side straps to compress the backpack sideways, the airbag fills the sides, so the backpack does not feel empty even when unfilled. This is particularly noticeable when a snowboard is attached to the backpack. The snowboard does not bend backwards and lies flat on the back. The R24 is comfortable to carry thanks to its good weight distribution and compact depth and also works well on the descent. The R24 comes very close to the feeling of riding with a normal backpack, but still has the avalanche airbag up its sleeve.

Conclusion

The Arva R24 Reactor is a classic avalanche backpack that stands out not because of its innovative release systems, but because of its low weight and well thought-out and simple design, in which the manufacturer's many years of experience shine through in many small, helpful details. It not only offers an extra portion of safety, but also the necessary storage space for a day tour. However, there is not enough space for multi-day tours and tours with ropes and climbing harnesses. I recommend that people under 170cm try out the backpack before buying, as the long, narrow design may not suit their anatomy. I can therefore recommend the Arva Reactor 24 to "taller" freeriders who are looking for a lightweight and compact daypack for touring and freeriding in the ski resort.

Advantages and disadvantages

+ Low weight
+ Sophisticated design
+ Increased safety thanks to two airbag chambers
+ Removable airbag system
- Too long for people shorter than 170cm

Details

RRP: € 579.-

Carbon cartridge: € 140.-

Steel Cartridge: € 70.-

Weight: 2100g
Volume: 24L
Opening system: Front access
Belt: Ergonomic belt with single pocket
Equipment carrying: Skis (diagonal) / Snowboard / ice axe
Helmet holder: Compatible
Size adjustment 3D fit technology: OK
Directable and height-adjustable handle: OK
Safety pocket: attachment
Hydration pocket: Compatible
Goggle and valuables pocket: OK
Key attachment clip
Back foam plate: Comfort foam padded back system
Backpack materials: Cordura 210D double ripstop /Polyamide 210D double ripstop
Highlight: Reinforced front panel.
New airbag compartment closures.

A detailed introduction to the Arva Reactor System, including airbag deployment, can be found in this promo video from Arva: