Gear reviews | Ortovox Free Rider 22 Avabag

First impression and features

The workmanship of the Ortovox backpack is high-quality and appears robust. As the name suggests, the backpack is designed for freeriders. Compared to its sister product, the Ascent, the focus is not on weight reduction. Nevertheless, the Free Rider 22 is not a heavy backpack, at least compared to other airbag backpacks.

Ortovox advertises the Free Rider 22 with the keywords protection and comfort. The backpack has an integrated back protector made of SPS-Flex foam, which hardens immediately on impact, but is otherwise flexible so that the backpack does not feel stiff. Together with the wide hip belt and comfortable shoulder straps, the system makes a very solid impression.

The backpack is not short on other features either. In addition to the main compartment, it has an outer compartment for a shovel and probe. There is also a small separate outer compartment for small items such as energy bars etc. It also has straps to tie the skis together diagonally on the back (or a snowboard vertically), a separate helmet holder, ice axe holder, an outlet for hydration systems and an adjustable release handle.

AVABAG system

When developing the AVABAG system, the Ortovox engineers tried to develop a system that is as small and light as possible. It consists of a single airbag with welded seams, a carbon gas cartridge and a deployment and venturi unit. The entire system is removable and can be installed in another suitable backpack. The release and venturi unit is a closed, mechanical system. As with other systems (e.g. Mammut/Snowpulse), the release can be trained if the gas cartridge is not installed. The system can then be re-cocked. With a system weight of 690g plus 310g carbon cartridge, the AVABAG system is about the same weight as the Mammut Ultralight system. The system is built into the backpack in such a way that it can also be released when the skis are tied on.

Conclusion

With the Free Rider 22 AVABAG, Ortovox has launched a really good freeride backpack onto the market. The backpack sits snugly on the back thanks to the wide hip belt and the SPS-Flex back protector. The AVABAG system is one of the lightest on the market. Nevertheless, I would only recommend the backpack to a limited extent for someone who needs it primarily for ski touring - Ortovox has better alternatives. If it is used for freeriding and occasional, shorter ski tours, it is ideally suited. As I mentioned, the only thing I didn't like was the zipper to the airbag compartment, which opened several times. However, the problem was quickly rectified.

After the false deployment, I looked for a sports store near me on the Ortovox website to quickly replace the cartridge. There was one nearby, but they didn't yet sell Ortovox airbag backpacks. That's why they had to send the cartridge in first. Ortovox then replaced it for CHF 30 after receiving it. Unfortunately, in my case it took a week for the cartridge to be returned.

Advantages & disadvantages

+ Workmanship
+ Integrated back protector
+ Carrying comfort
+ Ski and snowboard holder function
+ Weight distribution
+ Mechanical release possible without cartridge
+ Various release handle positions
- Zipper for AVABAG unit opens too easily
- Little storage space
- Backpack length for people over approx. 185cm (Editor's note: The Free Rider is also available with a shorter back and 20L volume, the Free Rider 20S)

Details

RP: € 699.95 (incl. cartridge)
. cartridge)
Weight: 1440g backpack, 2130g backpack and AVABAGUnit, 310g carbon cartridge, total=approx. 2440g
Volume: 22 l
Color: crazy orange/black antracite
Material: 420 D Ball Shadow Nylon
- Aluminium safety buckle (hip belt)
- Safety leg loop
- Chest strap with signal whistle
- Snowboard and snowshoe holder
- Bright Inside
- Water-repellent zippers
- Separate safety compartment
- Wide hip belt
- Main compartment access: Front
- Hip pocket
- D-Skifix
- Compression straps
- Hydration system preparation
- TÜV-certified
- Water-repellent thanks to PU-coated fabrics.
- Illustration of alpine emergency signals
- Ice axe/pole attachment
- Fixed helmet net
- SOS emergency instructions
- SPS Flex back protector
- Height-adjustable release handle

Here is the manufacturer's website with further information, here you can buy the backpack from our partner store Bergzeit.de.

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