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Backcountry Backpacks, Bags and Luggage

PIEPS Jetforce BT 25 2019-2020 Snowboard Backpack Review

Airbag systems have steadily grown in popularity over the years, with the latest trend moving towards battery powered, multi-deployment devices. As the result of a collaboration between backcountry behemoths, PIEPS and Black Diamond, the Jetforce BT 25 Airbag is the latest avalanche lifeline to hit the shelves this year.

The concept, known as inverse segregation, is simple: In the event of finding yourself caught up in a slide, chunks of snow with the largest overall surface area work their way up to the surface, while the smaller particles get driven down to the bottom.

“When deployed, the Jetforce takes only 3.5 seconds to inflate to its full 200-litre capacity and increases the chances of survival from 78% to 89%, while reducing the chances of critical burial down to 20%”

When deployed, the Jetforce takes only 3.5 seconds to inflate to its full 200-litre capacity and increases the chances of survival from 78% to 89%, while reducing the chances of critical burial down to 20%. In the unlikely event of being pulled under, the airbag provides an additional lifeline. Three minutes after deployment, it automatically deflates 170 litres of its volume to create a substantially larger air pocket that could increase your air supply time by as much as 90 minutes.

There’s a whole host of advantages – both safety and practical – to opting for an electronic airbag system over the conventional CO2 cartridges. Firstly, the bag can be deployed multiple times on a single charge, meaning you’re not just limited to one activation per outing or required to carry additional canisters should you be so unlucky (or wreckless) to need them.

Secondly, statistics have shown that users fail to trigger their airbag in 20% of serious cases. The battery system gives you the confidence to practice multiple deployments, without the price-per-activation mentality, so there won’t be any hesitation for those just-in-case moments.

Lastly, the electronic systems are fully approved for taking on board a plane. Wherever you’re on the hunt for powder this season, there’s no reason not to pack it.

“The Jetforce features Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to keep the software up to date and run diagnostics from your smartphone”

Asides from its primary function, there’s a whole host of other useful features hidden away. The Jetforce features Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to keep the software up to date and run diagnostics from your smartphone and an auto self-diagnosis on startup, with led status indicators, gives you peace of mind every time you activate the bag.

There’s still all the features you’d hope to find in any good backcountry pack too, such as external snowboard and helmet carry system, dedicated avy tool pockets, fully adjustable shoulder and hip straps, two different size options (S/M and M/L) as well as the modular zip on system, so you can switch between 10, 25 and 35 litre pack sizes.

It’s a pretty hefty investment, especially for a product you genuinely hope to never use in earnest but, as the old shop floor retort usually goes: it’s still cheaper than a coffin. For backcountry snowboarders who are regularly exposed to potential avalanche terrain, it shouldn’t be a decision that requires too much deliberation.

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