Gear reviews | Black Diamond Saga 40 Jetforce avalanche airbag

The first impression in a nutshell: big, red and heavy. As the backpack is not a real toploader with a lid, as would be usual for the size, it initially looks bigger than it is, but of course 40 liters of volume have to go somewhere. It is also rather heavy, even for an avalanche airbag backpack. The workmanship is very good. The same applies to the features. The backpack is not only equipped with the rather elaborate "Swing-Arm" carrying system, in which the shoulder straps are not firmly sewn, but "sliding" attached. The Saga 40 also has two access options to the main compartment, namely from the top or via the back section. Of course, the backpack has a compartment for avalanche equipment as well as a lid compartment and another separate, small inner and outer compartment. There are also 2 small compartments on the hip belt, although only one can be used to stow energy bars or other small items. The other houses the safety belt, which is passed through the crotch and prevents the backpack from being pulled over your head in the event of an avalanche.

Skis can be attached diagonally or vertically at the back of the backpack and hold well there. Of course, there is also a helmet holder and the Saga 40 also offers many sturdy plastic holders to which things (e.g. a water bottle or climbing equipment) can be attached with carabiners.

The Jetforce system

In contrast to virtually all other avalanche airbag systems (with the exception of the new Arc'teryx Voltair), backpacks with the Jetforce system do not use compressed air (or compressed gas) to fill the airbags, but instead use a nozzle to draw in ambient air. This offers several advantages over "conventional" systems. First of all, a Jetforce backpack can be deployed several times without having to insert a new cartridge. Once you have deployed the airbag, all you have to do is deflate it, pack it properly in the compartments provided and you are ready to go again. Of course, this advantage is not only useful in an emergency (we really hope that nobody gets caught in an avalanche several times a day!) but is also very practical for practicing. As you only have to charge the battery at some point and there is no effort or cost involved in deploying it, you can test deploy the airbag very often for practice purposes and to get used to the system.

Another advantage is that it is easier to take with you on the plane. Anyone who has occasionally (or more frequently) traveled with a classic airbag backpack on an airplane knows the problems that always catch up with you at check-in or security check, despite prior registration and a printed IATA slip. In theory, you shouldn't have any problems with a Jetforce backpack when traveling by air, although I would still be prepared for a few questions at the security check (and of course the backpack has to go in your hand luggage because of the battery). There is also no need to get a new cartridge or charge an empty one anywhere - charge the battery and you're done.

Test conditions and testers

I've gotten into the habit of loading the backpack through the compartment at the top, but unloading it through the large compartment on the back panel, which then works well even with a lot of stuff in the backpack. The compartment for avalanche equipment is also not too spacious. I can fit a shovel, probe, first aid kit and bivy sack, but there's no more room (e.g. for skins). When you finally get going and the backpack is on your back, you still have to switch it on using the release handle, which is not only acknowledged with a beep signal, but also with a short, vacuum cleaner-like howl of the turbine in the self-test (switching off is also done on the release handle and is indicated by LEDs and a beep).

One advantage of the system is clearly that you can release the backpack more or less as often as you want for testing and practice purposes. If you do this, it inflates with a loud vacuum cleaner noise within a few seconds and remains actively inflated for some time. This serves to keep the airbag inflated even in the event of a tear or hole (e.g. due to rock contact). Looking at the power with which it is inflated, this should really work. The airbag is inflated for a few minutes or kept inflated by the system, but then the air is released, which can create a breathing cavity for the victim in an emergency. The empty airbag can also be quickly stowed away in the compartments provided on the backpack. What you need to make sure of is a charged battery. However, it really does last for a while, i.e. several days, even at low temperatures. If you deploy it more often (e.g. for training or demonstration purposes), you will of course need to charge it more often.

The Saga 40 is really very comfortable to wear, in my opinion much better than many other airbag backpacks. This offsets the high weight somewhat. Personally, I find the "Swing-Arm" carrying system very comfortable on the ascent without it getting in the way on the descent, although I could imagine that some users might not be a fan of the system on the descent. For me, it helps to get the weight well onto the hips and away from the shoulders, which makes the backpack very comfortable even when fully packed on long days. The buckle on the hip belt works well, but is a little difficult to operate when wearing gloves.

Conclusion

A rather large airbag backpack for those who carry a lot, but too small for me personally for multi-day tours outside of managed huts. In practice, the backpack will mainly be purchased by winter sports enthusiasts who appreciate the obvious advantages of the Jetforce system and are willing to tolerate the slightly higher weight (and high price).

Advantages & amp; Disadvantages

+Multi-deployable and easily rechargeable
+Self-test
+Airbag is actively inflated over a longer period of time, then deflated
+Carries well, even when fully packed
+Uncomplicated to take with you (especially on the plane), you don't have to worry about cartridges
-Heavy
-Expensive
-Not easy to pack optimally

Details

RRP €1099.95
- reACTIV carrying system with SwingArmTM shoulder straps and thermoformed back system with zipper.
- Integrated airbag system with JetForce technology; reusable, travel-friendly and extremely durable.
- Separate compartment for avalanche equipment and PickPocketsTM for ice tools.
- Thanks to the stowable diagonal carrying device for skis, the airbag can be deployed even when the skis are attached.
- HiLo helmet holder, valuables pocket on the hip belt and zippered top compartment

Here is the Black Diamond website with more information, here you can purchase the Saga 40 from our partner store Bergzeit.de.

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