Osprey Packs Switch 36 Winter Pack

admin November 10, 2007


Osprey Packs Switch 36 Winter Pack - 2000 - 2400 cu in

Product Description

Price: $148.95
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For ski or snowboard mountaineering and ski touring, you’ll like nothing better than your Osprey Switch 36. Trek up Mt. Hood or hit the backcountry in the Tetons or High Sierras with this well-tested pack designed with the input of snow pros. A stretch pocket on the top lid accommodates your helmet and includes a sleeve for your goggles. The pack opens hatchback style, and inside you’ll find a wet/dry gear divider to help you organize your shovel, probe, clothing, and food. Side zip access lets you get to your layers and lunch easily. Skis load A-frame or diagonal style. Load your snowboard vertically with compression straps. The hydration sleeve insulates your water, and Osprey’s SnowShed back panel doesn’t absorb moisture, so it will keep your back dry.

Product Reviews

Pack much
Fascinated by a review that I saw on the Osprey Switch 36, I was forced to dig into my pile of winter tools and dust off the Osprey prototype I used all last year. Yup, I’m an Osprey junkie. I recall carrying a whole bunch of backcountry stuff in this tester so I jammed in my usual array of backcountry ski gear to see if last season was just a dream or if all that fluff really happened. Sitting here next to my glowing box of gigabytes is my Switch 36. In it is a full 3 liter reservoir of H20 with elbow valve nicely accommodated in the insulated shoulder harness. My full size Voile shovel & handle, 100mm skins, BCA probe and knee pads (yes, I’m a knee bender) are securely held in the "wet" portion of the pack. The dry portion of this pack contains my full compliment of "if the shit hits the fan" gear including: Gore-Tex jacket and full side zip pants, down parka, light gloves, heavy gloves, wool hat and neck gaiter. My goggles are neatly tucked underneath my helmet which is held snugly in place by the top pocket s stretch material. That s typically the most I might have with me on a cold day climbing up. On descent, much of that stuff including helmet and goggles are put to better use. When helmet less, the top pocket accommodates my skins for the ride down. It s true that I can only carry skis on this pack because I m snowboard challenged. Having said that, my 181cm skis carry comfortably either A framed or for quick ascents, diagonally. My friend, Rich took my pack to India to ski some peaks last spring and loved it up to 18,000 feet. Neither of us had problems with calf bang. Maybe snowboards are different in this regard. My experience with the pack s carry is that it needs no load control straps. Put it on with any load and it hugs my back like a terrorized baby Koala. By the way, that granola bar it fits in the hip belt s spacious 420 pockets (whatever that means!) Yup, I m an Osprey junkie I can t imagine why not.

not a good pack
Ummm….bad news for osprey lovers. This pack is NOT intended for snowboarders. I heard it was a "substantial pack," but it will not work like you want. Here’s the low-down. First, put a full water bladder in the very loose holster. It flops and wabbles around. Not good when you’re riding. The internal pocket for dry goods is severely limited once you put a water bladder inside. Add in your avy gear, and you have room for gloves, a granola bar, and a hat. Great if you don’t want to bring anything extra like a shirt or jacket. Now for vertical snowboard carry: once your avy gear is in place inside it angles the tail of the snowboard down towards your calves and ankles. NOT good when climbing up or down, you’ll be tripping on it the whole time. The helmet storage is flimsy at best, and if you don’t want to carry a helmet there, it’s useless: Gear will flop around inside due to the huge space and weak fabric material. There are also no straps to pull the pack up forward around your upper back/neck. The pack hangs low and backwards like a school book bag. No strap adjustment options for the shoulder straps at all. Not what I expected from Osprey this year. Your best bet is to get an 05 osprey switch 40+5.

not for snowboarder
This is not the best to have a snowboard strapped to, it is do able, but it is a wider pack so it takes the weight of the board is not centered close to your body. It is very roomy and holds EVERYTHING you could need and then some. Got the goggle pouch and helmet stash. Side zips to get to your dry stuff easy. The hip pads are really comfortable and it has great support. I have used it for very long day hikes where i am bringing lots of gear. So not just for winter!

Maybe not for boarders but great for snowshoes
Bought this for my wife for winter hiking. She loves the fit and comfort–it holds all her winter gear and the winged compression straps carries snowshoes perfectly.The stretch top pocket hold alot but is a little delicate.

switch 36
I liked the pack but this pack lacked the ability to adjust the shoulder straps to carry a heavier load on the hips.

Osprey Packs Switch 36 Winter Pack - 2000 - 2400 cu in
Price: $148.95
Buy Now

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