Avalanche airbags are and remain the hot topic in the equipment sector for freeriders. Both in theory and in practice. ISPO 2013 showed that manufacturers are focusing heavily on airbags and that there will continue to be a lot of movement in this product sector. Mammut surprised us the most by combining the proven Snowpulse Lifebag System in-house with their Removable Airbag System to create a removable Lifebag. We were able to take a closer look at these Protection Airbag System - P.A.S. for short - airbag backpacks for you at the Outkomm Experience Days and rode out with the Rocker Protection 15 on our backs.
When I heard about the new Protection Airbag backpacks from Mammut at ISPO, I immediately pricked up my ears. I have always liked the Lifebag backpacks, and now they are supposed to come with more flexibility and even better carrying comfort. The new backpack line should also offer something suitable for everyone. So of course I jumped at the chance to test the new airbag packs at the Outkomm Experience Days. Of course, it was obvious that the snap-happy gearhead would get the smallest backpack.
The organization
But if you pack cleverly, you can also fit a lot into the Rocker Protection 15. Like its Rocker R.A.S. and Nirvana Rocker brothers, the backpack is clearly designed for area-based day use with very little gear. But with a bit of skill, a shovel, probe, DSLR (in the tried-and-tested double beanie case), skins, sunglasses, water bottle and packed lunch fit easily in the main compartment. The shovel blade, shovel handle and probe are sorted and held in separate compartments, and in the case of the shovel blade even closed with a lashing strap and clip. This not only keeps things tidy, but also gives the pack additional stability. However, the slots for the handle and probe are positioned quite centrally due to the gas cartridge, which makes no sense, at least on the right-hand side. The entire load can be lashed down well thanks to the two compression straps attached to the front, allowing you to keep the backpack compact even with a small load.
In addition, there is a small zippered pocket for small items in the main compartment lid and a zippered pocket on the hip belt. This makes it easy to store a wallet, keys, cell phone, etc. There is also a slot on the back wall for a hydration bladder and, of course, corresponding slots for the tube, which is routed through two rubber loops on the outside of the shoulder strap. It is only slightly more difficult to reach there and does not interfere with the deployment of the head airbag.
Thanks to this, the shoulder straps are of course voluminous and quite massive, but they did not interfere with my carrying comfort. Quite the opposite. The wide and, compared to the first Snowpulse generations, surprisingly flexible shoulder straps transfer the load over a very wide area and fit well. The wide hip belt, which can be adjusted in height to suit all back lengths, complements the carrying frame perfectly. The newly designed metal buckle on the hip belt is much easier to operate with gloves and - in the admittedly short test period - did not loosen unintentionally. The leg loop is easy to adjust and easy to reach. You just have to remember to thread it in before closing the hip belt.
Comfort
When attached in this way, the backpack hugs my back very well, feels relatively light and gives a really stable feeling. Personally, I don't mind the second point at all; I prefer a backpack to be firm and snug and give a certain stability. But that is of course a matter of taste. When riding, nothing wobbles and the weight of the backpack follows every movement immediately and without delay. Even when packed with skis - unfortunately only flat in front of the backpack or diagonally, but this is not possible with airbag backpacks - nothing wobbles and nothing stands in the way of bootpacking.
The airbag
The foldable, T-shaped release handle is easy to reach and can be stowed away if required. However, the latter is slightly fiddly and stiffens the shoulder strap a little in the corresponding area. Unfortunately (or fortunately, of course) I didn't deploy the airbag, but at least I was able to test the removal and installation of the airbag unit. Anyone familiar with the R.A.S. system will know that it's not that complicated. With the P.A.S., however, it doesn't get any easier. At least when it comes to installation. Due to the more complicated airbag shape, there is no longer a compact pocket, but the airbag is inevitably partially unfolded when it is removed. The side arms of the airbag then need to be neatly reassembled and installed. This is not rocket science and thanks to the colored markings on the seams and eyelet hooks you can quickly get an overview, but it is still fiddly. You won't want to do this every day.
The comfort of the backpack without the airbag is good (at least according to the short dry test) and not significantly different to when the airbag is fitted. The weight, of course, is.
Conclusion
The Rocker Protection 15 is a successful avalanche airbag backpack for freeriders operating close to the piste and is even suitable for short tours. The removable Lifebag system works excellently and is the logical further development of the Mammut airbag systems. The carrying comfort is surprisingly good and the detailed solutions are convincing without being too much. If you need more, it's better to go for one of the three other models, Pro, Ride or Light, although the latter two were also convincing in the short fumble test.
Advantages and disadvantages
+ Removable head airbag
+ Compatible with various backpacks
+ Compact
+ Good detailed solutions
- Price
Details
Price (RRP):
- incl. airbag, without cartridge: 640,000 euros. Airbag, without cartridge: 640,- € / 840,- CHF
- Backpack without airbag: 140,- € / 190,- CHF
- Steel cartridge 100,- € / 140,- CHF
- Carbon cartridge 200,- € / 250,- CHF
Weight:
2250 g incl. airbag without cartridge
1380 g backpack without P.A.S.-unit
310 g carbon cartridge, 500 g steel cartridge, 630 g refillable cartridge (each filled)
- The advanced Snowpulse avalanche airbag system that offers full protection: Head on Top, Trauma Protection and - fully removable
- Safety leg loop
- V-frame made of aluminum 6 mm, adjustable
- Back length adjustment
- Thermoformed back for high wearing comfort
- Slots for avalanche emergency equipment
- Diagonal, stowable ski attachment
- stowable snowboard holder
- hip belt pocket
- inner compartment
- SOS label with emergency instructions
- hydration system compatible
