Although relatively unknown in Europe, the American company Back Country Access has been producing avalanche airbag backpacks for several years. This year, the backpack designed for freeriders is available in two sizes: the Float 22 and Float 32. We have tested the Float 32 for you.
First impression
Compared to the first BCA airbag backpacks from a few years ago, the Float 32 makes a much improved and overall very good impression.
The backpack has a rather narrow cut and therefore practically does not restrict freedom of movement. It has a main compartment, a compartment for emergency equipment and two smaller compartments as well as a pocket on the hip belt. All compartments and pockets are easily accessible via large, sturdy zippers that are easy to use with gloves. The airbag is housed in a larger, separate compartment in the upper part of the backpack, while the cartridge is located on the side of the main compartment. Like many airbag backpacks, the Float 32 only has a diagonal ski carry system, but this works well. A snowboard holder is unfortunately missing, but is available as an accessory.
Other attachment options on the outside of the backpack are rather sparse, however, with only a stowable helmet attachment and an ice axe holder. The straps as well as the hip and chest straps are easily adjustable, the backpack sits very well on the body and can also be easily adjusted in volume using the side compression straps.
Airbag system
The entire Float series has an interchangeable airbag system within the series with an airbag at the top of the backpack. Fortunately, the cartridges filled with compressed air can be refilled cheaply in many places (e.g. diving stores) (I once paid 8 euros!).
When the system is triggered, the airbag inflates extremely quickly.
The trigger handle for the airbag is well placed and easy to reach, and the advantage is that it can be mounted on the right or left as required. The installation, removal and conversion of the airbag system also works quite well.
Practical use
In practice, the Float 32 works well in principle. It is also spacious enough for extended day trips - or for people like me who always have a lot of stuff with them. Nevertheless, it is small enough not to look out of place when freeriding in the ski area. For me, it would be a little too small for long, high alpine tours where I need to carry a lot of additional equipment (rope, harness, lots of food, drinks), but I tend to carry a lot and always have a DSLR in my backpack.
If the backpack is really packed to the brim, there are two other related problems. The buckle on the hip belt of the backpack is unfortunately anything but ingenious. Although it keeps the hip belt closed very reliably and the backpack attached to the body, it is not easy to operate the buckle with gloves on. In addition, the hip belt constantly adjusts itself further, which, together with the rather light backpack with a soft back section, means that almost no load is transferred to the hips, but everything lies on the shoulders. Especially in combination with the already higher weight compared to a backpack without an airbag, this leads to a less than optimal wearing comfort or aching shoulders, especially on long tours. The backpack is also not too tight on the back due to the permanently loose hip belt, but this is only really noticeable when jumping. These two points could definitely be remedied with a better buckle on the hip belt, replacing the buckle would be my next measure...
Personal opinion
Despite minor weaknesses (which should largely be remedied by a better buckle on the hip belt), this is an airbag backpack worth recommending. Lighter and cheaper than most competing products, but there are currently only a few models available in which the replaceable airbag could be used. I would be particularly interested in a larger model with a more stable carrying system and more options for attaching things to the outside of the backpack. Such a model in combination with the Float 22 for freeriding in the ski area would probably be perfect for many people and would cover almost all areas of use. As BCA has recently been taken over by K2, the range of backpacks available is likely to change or improve quickly.
Conclusion
Good, spacious and relatively light and inexpensive avalanche backpack.
Advantages & disadvantages
+ Replaceable airbag unit
+ Refillable
+ Good fit
+ Spacious
+ Lightweight
+ Stowable helmet & amp; ice axe holder
+ price
- fiddly & opening waist buckle
- hardly any attachment options
- snowboard holder only as an accessory
Details
RRP: 549,95 € without cylinder, 135,- € cylinder
Color: Black/Red
Weight: 2.9 kg incl. cartridge, 1.5 kg without airbag
Size: 32 L - 58x29x17 cm
Back length: 46-58 cm
150 L single airbag, replaceable
186 bar cartridge, refillable
Main compartment, shovel and probe compartment, goggle compartment & harness pocket
Helmet holder, stowable
Ice axe holder
Diagonal ski holder
