When it comes to why we love the Heli Pro so much, there’s a lot to unpack here (pun intended), so buckle up (pun intended… again). Firstly, there’s different literage sizes, so you can pick and choose depending on whether you’re out for a morning in resort carrying a spare sandwich (those on-mountain lunch prices are wild), or a full day’s splitboard mission with all the safety gear and essentials.

Pockets, pockets, pockets. And then some more pockets. The Heli Pro utilises a special, lined goggle pocket to keep those bad boys safe and scratch free cos, let’s face it, you probably paid a bomb for them. It also has an external stash pocket, internal mesh pocket, fit for purpose snow tool/shovel pocket and inside you’ll find a sleeve that can be used for a hydration pouch, or a laptop if you’re feeling more urban.

“Comfort is key, so Dakine have made sure the back piece is fully padded and ventilated”

Externally, you’ll be able to configure the straps to carry your trusty steed hands free, be it ski or snowboard that floats your fancy. There’s a vertical snowboard carry down the rear face of the backpack (this can also be used for a skateboard), plus diagonal or split-vertical options for your skis or splitboard. Not only great for walking back to your hotel, but also ideal for bootpacking missions where you want to keep your hands available for poles or tinnies.

Comfort is key, so Dakine have made sure the back piece is fully padded and ventilated to keep you from getting too sweaty, and they’ve engineered the straps (hip and sternum) to wrap around your body to take the weight of whatever it is you decided to carry with you. How sweet.

“It does everything you need it to do, whilst looking stylish and fitting comfortably”

Roundup

Okay, maybe it is just a backpack. But it’s one of the best we’ve had the pleasure of using while out in the mountains. A simple thing done well is oft the best and the Heli Pro embodies this perfectly. It does everything you need it to do, whilst looking stylish and fitting comfortably, and that’s why we’ve chosen to put it in our favourite products of the year.

Pros:

• Everything you need, and nothing you don’t
• You’ll be joining a full legion of Heli Pro hellions

Cons:

• There are definitely cheaper backpacks on the market

“With a contained weight of 800 grams for a capacity of 20 liters, this Dakine mountain bag takes you to the most coveted snowy slopes. For more security, there is a tool pocket that you can also use to put your safety equipment. In terms of comfort of use, the wide waist belt as well as the sternal strap provide you with good stability appreciated when carrying equipment for example. You can attached your snowboard vertically. Internal features are essential both on and off the snow with a laptop or hydration pocket, a lined pocket for your sunglasses or goggles, and an organized front compartment. This technical snowboard backpack benefits from years of upgrades, giving it a clean design that easily meets all your expectations. This is one of the Dakine pro team riders favorite packback.”

Buy the Dakine Heli Pro: £115 at Blue Tomato UK 

Buy the Dakine Heli Pro: €125 at Blue Tomato EU