San Util Design Off Piste 35-52L Ski Touring Pack Assessment

All season, I’ve been experimenting with how much I can fit in my San Util Design Off Piste Ski Touring Pack. I haven’t found a realistic limit yet. I’ve stuffed puffies, fleece midlayers, extra goggles, sunglasses cases, bottles of water, cans of beer, baseball hats, knit caps, balaclavas, salami, cheese, other snacks, an insulated blanket, and, of course, my beacon, shovel, and probe. And still, I haven’t even come close to the pack’s limit.

I have duffel bags that can’t hold as much — but you’d never guess that if I was just out for a quick lap on my local skin track. For more casual backcountry exploits, the Off Piste Pack compresses to the size of a daypack.

I’m pretty particular about my touring packs. At the bare minimum, they need to have multiple access points to the main compartment, an avalanche tool pocket, easy-to-identify avi tool pocket zipper tabs, and glove-friendly buckles. I’m also partial to Dyneema and waterproof zippers. And, of course, I have to like the way it looks.

This pack from San Util Design exceeded my expectations. Not only does it include all of those features, but I also got to design the pack myself — from the panel colors and patterns, to the color of the zipper pulls. There are a few things on my wishlist if San Util Design makes version 2.0. But for a first backcountry-specific ski touring pack, this small Colorado brand came out of the gate swinging.

In short: The San Util Design Off Piste Ski Touring Pack ($540) scores high marks for versatility, functionality, and style. It’s made with high-quality, durable, and waterproof or water-resistant-treated materials. It expands in volume from 35 L to a massive 52 L, making it ideal for day trips, multi-night backcountry camping, or hut trips. Some elements, like the waist strap and internal access, could be refined. But overall, this is a solid choice for backcountry skiers who want one pack for the whole season. And as a bonus, you get to choose the color scheme and patterns.

If you’re shopping for ski backpacks, compare this one with those on GearJunkie’s guide to the Best Ski Backpacks.

San Util Off Piste 35-52L Ski Touring Pack Review

These days, it takes a pretty special product to break into the backcountry ski backpack market. Most ski brands make their own packs, and many backpack manufacturers offer multiple versions and sizes. Some come with gas-powered avalanche airbags, and others have electric airbag systems like LiTRIC. There are even a few backcountry packs that use the Safeback SBX air pump avalanche system.

So, I was skeptical that a small boutique startup brand like San Util Design could create something that would stand out in such a saturated market. But this backpack isn’t made like other backcountry bags I’ve used. The roll-top design and voluminous interior are particularly noteworthy. And it’s unique; you could even call it one-of-a-kind, considering that I chose the color scheme and patterns.

But looks and layout are one thing. Performance and functionality are another. Shortly after receiving my handmade Off Piste Pack, I started taking it into the backcountry — and to the resort, too. I’ve used this pack all season long so far, testing it on both long days and short ones.

Materials

The Off Piste Pack is available in three different materials: 1000D Cordura, EPX400, and ULTRA400X (a Dyneema competitor). Some of the color options only combine with certain materials, so you might end up with a pack like mine that’s part ULTRA400X and part 1000D Cordura.

San Util told GearJunkie that the Cordura has a DWR and poly coating for water resistance. ULTRA400X and EPX400 are both waterproof by design. The waist and shoulder straps, as well as the back panel, are both EPX400.

Layout

San Util Design kept the layout of this pack pretty minimalistic, which I appreciate. Having too many pockets, compartments, or nooks and crannies can get cumbersome and is usually unnecessary. One big compartment and a couple of smaller pockets are all I need in the backcountry.

The main compartment of the Off Piste Pack is gigantic. Even on hut trips, I rarely need 52 L of space in my backpack. When you just want a daypack, the top rolls down, and the sides cinch to compress the bag.

The front of the pack has an avalanche tool compartment that perfectly fits a shovel and probe. It’s also denoted with a gigantic zipper pull, which I chose to be hot neon pink. In the event of an emergency, there would be no mistaking which zipper to reach for.

There are only two other small pockets on this pack. One is a small radio pocket at the top with a waterproof zipper. The other is an internal mesh pocket for things like keys, glove liners, hats, a cellphone, or other odds and ends.

Other Features

This pack allows you to carry skis in an A-frame or diagonally. The black CSM ice tool cover protects your ice tool’s tips (and everything around them) from damage.

The waist belt is removable, so you can cut weight if you’re going for an ultralight approach. Likewise, the HDPE frame sheet is also removable.

Customization

Not many backpack manufacturers let you choose the color scheme or patterns of your pack. And certainly, when it comes to technical alpine backpacks, San Util Designs is the only one that offers customization like that. It’s a fun bonus.

It’s also a reminder that every one of these backpacks is handmade to order in Winter Park, Colo.

The process is pretty straightforward. When you place your order on the San Util Design website, you simply choose your primary color (which is the front of the pack and roll-top), a secondary color (the side panels), and the cord color for the zipper pulls.

If you have a preference for material, make sure you check that the color you want is offered. Some patterns/colors are only offered in one material from San Util Design.

Field Testing

My backcountry packing list doesn’t change much. In my pack, I always have a fleece midlayer, a puffy jacket, my ski shell, a beanie, a billed cap, gloves, liners, sunglasses, sunscreen, a water bottle, snacks, and my beacon, shovel, and probe.

I could fit all of that into this pack without even approaching the 35L capacity. Even packing for hut trips, with a sleeping bag, meals, and hut clothes, I couldn’t fill this thing up.

Thus, the San Util Designs Off Piste Ski Touring Pack earns high marks for volume and versatility. You can stuff it like a duffel for overnights or keep it lean-and-mean for day trips.

The materials used in this pack are demonstrably waterproof and water-resistant. I consistently dropped it in the snow during transitions, lunches, breaks, and when I needed to dig something out of it. I never had issues with water seeping through the pack.

I’m a big fan of oversized zipper pulls and tabs. The pull tabs on the radio pocket and avalanche tool compartment are easy to identify and grab, no matter how bulky your gloves are. The roll top and buckles are also easy to manage with gloves on. Some of the smaller buckles, like those on the top and sides, require a little extra focus to clip, but they never caused me frustration.

I found the pack rode comfortably on my back when I skied. The waist belt and chest strap held it snugly to my body, and I didn’t have issues with it bouncing around.

The compression straps on the sides also made it easy to squeeze out any excess space, so items weren’t jumping around inside the pack, either.

Luckily, I never needed to pull out my avi tools. But I practiced a few times, and it was manageable with this pack. I really like that the avi tool pocket is on the outside, unobstructed, and easily identifiable.

You can remove the waist belt and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) frame sheet. I pulled the waist belt off once just to try it, and it was pretty straightforward to remove and reattach. I used the HDPE frame sheet a couple of times as a seat when we stopped for lunch.

If you were really in a medical pinch, that sheet could also double as a makeshift splint.

Room for Improvement

The first thing I found myself wanting from this pack was a helmet carry. But San Util Design notes on its website that it’s working on developing its own. In the meantime, most removable helmet carry devices will fit on the exterior daisy chains. It would also be great to have an exterior pocket that’s big enough to fit your skins.

Some of the areas on the hip belt, shoulder straps, and back of the pack use single stitching. I haven’t had durability issues with this pack yet. But years down the line, I could see some of those weaker points that get the heaviest use and abuse wearing out.

My biggest gripe with this pack, though, is its internal access. As a roll top, it’s extra important to have a second access point to get inside. No one wants to unroll a pack every time they need to swap a layer.

The access point on the Off Piste Pack is a side zipper. It provides adequate, though not generous, access. I much prefer back panel access, as it allows you to see everything inside the pack instead of having to root around blindly.

I would be remiss not to mention the price, too — $540 is a lot of money for a ski backpack. There are only two other backpacks on GearJunkie’s Guide to the Best Ski Backpacks that exceed that price. Both of those have integrated avalanche airbags — although neither comes in custom colors.

Who Is It For?

While there are a few things on my wishlist for this pack, the San Util Design Off Piste Ski Touring Pack really hits all the main marks I require from my touring packs. It’s lightweight, made from waterproof and water-resistant materials, durable, thoughtfully laid out, and versatile enough for different backcountry adventures. I’m also pretty psyched about the color scheme and splatter pattern I chose.

Recreational skiers, professional skiers, ski guides, and anyone who spends a lot of time on snow in the backcountry will appreciate what San Util Design has created here — if they can afford it. It’s not a skimo racing pack, nor is it compatible with avalanche airbags. But for a dedicated backcountry roll top, this pack does its job and does it well.

It might be overkill for resort skiing, but it looks great and carries what you need, no matter where you take it.