The Haute Route backpack is a classic Ortovox design with thoughtful features for a long day in the backcountry, but the 30 S goes a bit further with its specialized features compiled for the benefit of smaller folks. Designed to fit and distribute weight perfectly with load-control cords and the ergonomic and stabilizing back system, the Ortovox Haute Route 30 S makes schlepping a fully loaded pack into the alpine a cinch. Pun intended. The specially designed shortened back system was made with smaller people in mind.
As one of those, it seemed only appropriate to be the one to test and review this pint-sized specialist.
Ortovox Haute Route 30 S Gear Test
Aspen, Colorado – where I happen to be based – experienced a unique mid winter snowpack in 2022. We had a very dry January and February, with relatively cold temps, which allowed for some steep skiing typically viewed as off limits with our traditional faceted layers combined with storm slab. Avalanche conditions dropped to “low” in February, so a group of us decided it was a good time to ski Five Fingers off Aspen Highlands Ridge. So I packed up the Ortovox Haute Route 30 S, placing my beacon shovel in probe in the designated outer pocket, and slithered my BCA radio cord through the hydration system slit. I threw in a warm puffy layer, various snacks, and helmet in the main compartment. I’m vexed to say I noticed the integrated helmet net after the adventure was over. My bad!
This sidecountry day adventure featured a lift ride to the top of Loge, followed by a 782-foot skin to the 12,392-foot summit of Highland Bowl. The Haute Route 30 S was great on the skin-up. The weight was distributed much higher up on my back then I’m used to, which allowed me to climb much faster on the steep “Heart Attack/Heartbreak Hill” section. From the colorful prayer flag-bedecked summit, we skirted under the boundary line rope and began a moderately technical downhill climb to a 1-hour ridge-line walk. I had secured my skis in the side ski fasteners (which can accommodate up to 150mm). The skis also sat up nice and high, which was a welcomed experience. With other backpacks, I’ll often kick the tails of my skis as I walk, which is just not ideal for balance and moving quickly through variable terrain.
As we approached our descent point, known as the “Pinky”, windy gusts began to whip around us. We quickly transitioned, and I found the shallow center pocket to be a boon for switching gear out. The shallowness prevented gloves/goggles/skins from slipping deeper into the pack and slowing down the process.
Finally, it was time to ski. Turns out the ridge walking was the fun part with 3,000 vertical feet of sun-baked wind crust awaiting us below. Still, a great day was made more successful by a high-functioning, thoughtful backpack.
If you’re looking for a bike that is capable of handling any terrain, the Juliana Roubion mixed-wheel bike might be a good option to consider. The Roubion is the flagship enduro bike from Juliana/Santa Cruz, and the mixed-wheel configuration takes it to another level. The smaller 27.5″ rear tire provides nimbleness and snappiness in turns, while the 29″ front tire can plow through rough terrain with ease. This bike can give you the best of both worlds. The frame design of the 2022 Roubion is proportional for mixed wheels, and the slacker head tube and steeper seat tube make this bike longer and slacker, built for racing. This bike climbs surprisingly well for an aggressive bike meant to fly downhill.
One of the most significant changes in the 2022 Roubion compared to the 2021 version is the proportional frame design for mixed wheels. This change makes it possible for the bike to handle mixed wheels intentionally. If you’re a small rider, the XS version still has a 27.5″ front and back, while taller riders can opt for the Bronson, the Roubion’s sister bike, which comes in more expanded sizes. The downside is that you won’t get the same colorway and shock tuning, but you’ll still get a great bike.
The Juliana Roubion mixed-wheel bike offers a slacker head tube, a steeper seat tube, a longer wheelbase, and a longer reach compared to the 2021 Roubion specs. It’s a slacker and longer bike built with racing in mind, and its cockpit is spacious and balanced for steep descents. The bike has 160mm of travel in the front and 150mm in the rear, making it Juliana’s burliest bike in their lineup.
One of the most significant advantages of the Roubion mixed-wheel bike is that it can handle any terrain with ease. The 29″ front tire can plow through rocks, roots, and any rough terrain that comes your way, while the 27.5″ rear tire makes the bike nimble and snappy in tight turns. If you’re looking for a bike that can handle downhill courses and technical terrain, this might be the bike for you.
The Roubion mixed-wheel bike climbs surprisingly well for an aggressive bike meant to fly downhill. The suspension system is excellent, and the bike provides excellent traction on steep climbs. If you’re an enduro rider who loves technical descents, but also wants a bike that can climb with ease, the Roubion is a good option to consider.
Pros:
The mixed-wheel configuration provides the best of both worlds.
The bike can handle any terrain with ease.
The bike is built for racing and is Juliana’s burliest bike in their lineup.
The Roubion mixed-wheel bike climbs surprisingly well for an aggressive bike meant to fly downhill.
The suspension system is excellent, and the bike provides excellent traction on steep climbs.
Cons:
The frame doesn’t come in an L or XL, but you can opt for the Bronson, the Roubion’s sister bike.
The XS version still has a 27.5″ front and back, which might not be suitable for taller riders.
The bike is expensive, and not everyone can afford it.
The bike is built for aggressive riding and might not be suitable for beginners or casual riders.
The bike is heavy, and it might take some time to get used to it.
Top ski industry publications have deemed the following women’s skis the best of the best for Winter 2021-22. Womensgearguide.com cannot personally attest to having tested this skis yet – fingers crossed we can get on some of the bad gals when the snow starts flying – but we can provide you with some trusted resources in your decision making process. The two ski shops highlighted below, Powder7 (Golden, CO) and SkiEssentials (Stowe, VT) are great examples of skier-led businesses who really know their stuff.
[Icelantic Maiden 101 Review at 1:03] Transcript – My first is going to be the Icelantic Maiden 101. In my mind it’s the most versatile of the Maiden series. It’s also going to come in a 111 and 91 under foot. The 101 for me just handles all mountain conditions really well. Still get nice floatation in powder. Flyweight core is going to keep it nice and light as well with the rocker in the tip and tail. It’s just a really great, fun all-mountain ski.
Transcript – Right here we’ve got a Line Pandora 110. It’s an awesome ski, it’s in Line’s women’s ski collection. It’s the widest ski in the Pandora line. It’s actually different than the other Pandora skis in the sense that it has a different shape and a different construction, too. Super, super fun powder ski, and a lot different things you can do with it in terms of a ski that’s 110 underfoot. Let’s take a look at construction. The use Line’s Partly Cloudy core, which is a blend of maple and paulownia. The ski is impressively lightweight. We see similar construction on the men’s Vision skis. In addition to that wood core, they use what Line calls Triple Hybrid construction. It’s really pretty interesting. They use a blend of fiber glass, carbon and aramid. Kind of right above the core of the ski. In fact, when you look closely you can see crosshatching grid of fibers that give the ski more torsional stiffness more energy, kind of more pop and spring. It’s certainly not a stiff flex pattern. It’s on the softer side, but it has a lot of nice energy and bounce to it. Which is a lot of fun. Looking at shape. It’s a lot of what you’d expect with a 110 ski. We do get some camber underfoot. There’s a lot of tip and tail rocker in the ski. Not a tremendous amount of early taper, but you get a javelin tip shape which is really nice.
Application for the Pandora 110. We’re really talking soft snow. It could be a dedicated powder ski for a lot of skiers. East coast, West Coast/ 100 underfoot is a nice width and crosses over from our smaller East Coast mountains to bigger West Coast terrain. I think particularly here on the East a big benefit for this ski is that it’s lightweight. Combine that lightweight with the amount of tip rocker or tail rocker that it has. It’s pretty agile, pretty easy to maneuver through tight trees. Take it out West and it’s got enough surface area through the whole ski that you can ski it fast and aggressively through open terrain and have a blast on them.
Like I said these are lightweight. An intention of these skis, and something Line kept in mind in designing them. these skis. There aren’t many options for a twin tip shape like this for people that want to use it an Alpine touring application…
Transcript – We got a Black Crows Atris Birdie for you today. this is the same build and shape as the men’d ski. it’s just available in shorter lengths and in different graphics, so if you’re looking for the shorter size in the Birdie ski, the Atris is the way to go. In terms of construction, we got a full popular wood core here. Pretty simple, but like we see with a lot of Black Crow skis, it’s impressive what they can do with just a popular wood core, with what they do with the shape and the profile. So add a 108 mm under foot. this ski generates a 20 meter turn radius. It’s a bit longer. it still has some moderate taper shape to it. but that extended side cut does give it a little bit longer of a turn shape and allows for better edge contact from tip to tail and that results in overall smoother ride. so gain, what they do with he poplar wood car it does matter how they shape and profile it. with that extra material it is a pretty big ski. it does give that ski more strength and power because there is more material to it.
This is the 178 and it’s just a really nice well-rounded ski. You can see where that taper comes to here underfoot. The shovel has a nice even progressive flex throughout. They do something with sidewall as well. Full sidewall, underfoot, through the binding area and it does taper to a half sidewall construction. That’s going to increase the maneuverability and the quickness of the skis towards the ends while keeping the edge grip nice under foot. like you’d want to see with a bunch of fresh snow, the ski does have a good rocker profile to it as well, a nice extended rocker from the shovel here starting a little bit below the taper line, that gives you a nice smooth pop into the turn and jumps you up out of the snow. In the tail, same thing, just a little bit below below the taper. Kind of a moderate splay tp the twin tip. Really a well-rounded, wider body all mountain freeride ski from Black Crow. Definitely want to be in the advanced category here for this ski, but if you’re an intermediate looking for a wider ski for resort powder this would also be a great ski.
Transcript – In front of me I have Volkl Blaze 106 women’s version. Same as the men’s just a different top sheet and sizes available. They came out with this excellent lightweight, all mountain freeride tour ski last year, and they’ve basically given it a little bit of a cosmetic difference this year. Construction wise, they use their hybrid multi-layered wood core. They use super light wood, and they also use a synthetic wood down the center, which you can actually see in the construction of the ski. It’s a little bit lighter. All it does is reduce the weight even more and holding that torsional stiffness you’ll need to have smoother ride.
Shape of the ski, they have a nice long tip rocker. Pretty long for this kind of category, and nice tail rocker. Combined with their 3D radius, basically what that’s going is help you do is get the ski on edge easily and help you maneuver easily through tricky situations. But you’re also going to be able flex he ski on edge and hold it. If you like to make larger turns. Their 3d radius technology is pretty awesome, it lets you make slalom turns, to GS turns, to Super G turns. Depending on how you flex the ski and how you power the ski. So if you like to be able to go just about anywhere on the mountain.
With a 106 waist you’re going to be able to hit some powder, get some flotation. But also with hat radius you’re going to be able to pop in the trees and maneuver easy and be able to pop in out and of moguls. Id’ gear this to a little bit more advanced lady, a high intermediate. with the 106 under waist it’s definitely geared towards someone who knows what they’re doing. Someone who wants a little more floatation in powder. It can also be used as a touring ski. Since it’s so light in its construction, without any metal in there. You’re going to be able to take it uphill without getting too fatigued. But you’re also going to be able to get that flotation for going downhill. They do have a narrower version for someone who is purely looking for resort uphill, but this ski is going to be great for someone who kinda likes to do it all.
Transcript – In front of me I have k2s Mindbender 106c Alliance, which is in their women’s Mindbender lineup. It’s the second to widest of their lineup and it’s in the middle of their carbon series. The 106 c stands for 106 underwaist and c is for carbon construction. In the construction you can see that they have a weave, I’m not sure if you can see it on the camera, but it is really cool and you can see in on the top sheet. They have a tighter weave that go through the tips and less of a weave in the tail. The reason for that is to allow better turn initiation on the tips, and grip in the front of the ski and allows you to release those tails when you need. With a 106 you’re going to be taking this ski into variable conditions, powder, crud, bumps, trees, and that weave is really going to help you get into the turn and release the turn and have some fun. They have a really fun top sheet, just like all their Mindbender skis. They try to be different from all the other brands out there.
For 106 underfoot you’re looking for a more advanced skier on this ski. It’s a power ski, it’s an all-mountain ski, it’s a backcountry. It’s not too heavy, you could put a touring binding on it and could go uphill and have some fun on it. It is really meant to be an all-mountain category. That lady that wants to hit the back bowls of vail with a couple inches, pop into the trees, wherever you want to go the 106 is going to take you there. The other version they have is their 90 c which is more of a frontside carving ski, but it still plays with the trees and bumps and snappy feel, where this one just gives you a little more width and a little more float when you hit the powder days. Geared towards an advanced skier.
Pro-skier Lynsey Dyer recently resurrected her longtime podcast ShowUp. In this episode Lynsey interviews Tarah O’ Connor, an avalanche educator, an EMT, a ski guide and ski patroller of 19 seasons. Tara breaks her silence and exposes some of the sexism she and so many others have experienced as women in the field.
A couple years back, this popular women’s daypack/light overnight pack received an update. The Osprey Sirrus 36 now features new adjustable torso lengths vastly improved women’s specific fit and comfort, particularly for shorter and shorter-torso-ed gals. The supremely ventilated, featured and durable Sirrus® Series features like award-winning ventilation, durability, all the right pockets and an integrated raincover rounds out the product for all conditions and trail types.
Osprey Sirrus 36 Gear Test
A summer hut trip excursion is when I first strapped on this day-trip/1-night backpack for real-time usage. I had been previously fitted at my local Osprey-provider shop, Bristlecone in Basalt, CO, and this fitting proved very helpful and ensuring the pack was sitting above my hips in order to prevent back strain and uncomfortable rubbing. I have to say it helped immensely as I felt very little discomfort after an 8-mile hike with a fully crammed pack. I have previously suffered painful hematomas on my hip bones being of short stature and short torso.
The mesh backing provided breathability and comfort while hiking for multiple miles.
Since we were staying in a hut overnight, I could forego a tent and sleeping pad, but we were planning for 2 nights and 3 days at the hut. That said, the 36L pack accommodated all the essentials for the 3 days perfectly. I noted that if I did need to bring a sleeping pad and tent, I would have opted for small lightweight and highly packable items. The strap system, particularly the ones located at the rear of the back could have easily accommodated a small tent.
I also appreciates the forward-facing hip zip pockets which made for convenient snacking while walking. I’d recommend including the Osprey hydration system in your purchase. The easily accessed water hose made staying hydrated a breeze while I summited New York basin.
The Review
Rating 4.5 (out of 5)
Design: This backpack was designed to adjust to a variety of female body types, including small of stature. It was also made with smart features in mind like easy-to-get to pockets. +1
Style: I opted for purple, but it comes in a variety of colors, including blue and black. I would like to see brighter colors for safety purposes. Everything cinches down nicely with this pack allowing for a sleek profile – even when it’s packed to the brim. +.5
Performance: If the weather turns nasty, the raincover ensures your gear won’t get soaked. +1
Durability: The materials, stitching and strap systems seem to be very durable and the hip strap pads are not showing any signs of wear despite using this pack for nearly 50 miles of trekking. +1
Comfort: Proper fitting and utilizing the adjustable straps is key here and the Osprey Sirrus 36 is designed to allow just for that. Well-padded hip straps also add some extra comfort for long days of trekking with a heavy pack. +1
I am well over two years in with the Hoka One One Women’s Speedgoat 3. Yes, I know running shoes shouldn’t be in circulation for more than 300-500 miles, and, yes, I’m probably approaching that number, but they still feel great. That’s saying a lot coming from someone who has shied away from running for most of her life due to ski-racing related knee injuries and pain. In the two years I’ve owned the Hoka One One Women’s Speedgoat 3’s I can say that I’ve become an enthusiastic trail runner, frequenting Aspen’s trails 2-3 times a week throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Previously, running was painful and to be avoided.
The Test
These blue foot clouds provide incredible traction and comfort for uber long trail runs and hikes. This summer alone, they summited West Maroon Pass with me en route to Crested Butte – an 11-mile-one-way journey afoot from Aspen, Colorado. They also hiked and ran various game trails high in the Elk Mountains, and town loops astride Aspen’s tributary creeks and the mighty Roaring Fork River.
They also braved approximately 8 stream crossings in one day on a Triangle Peak adventure and no blisters or discomfort were detected. Heck, they dried way faster than my hiking boots, but in case you’re wary of wet feet they now make a Waterpoof version. I’m not sure why I’d ever go back to a hiking boot/shoes – at least during the warmer months.
The Review
Rating 4.5 (out of 5)
Design: The laces and how and where they cinch down on the foot is optimal, providing both comfort and support. +1
Style: Style is personal and I’ll be the first one to say that, in general, Hoka One One shoes have a very unique look. They are wide, a product of their signature highly cushioned sole. Some may not like the profile, but in this case function is fashion for me. +.5
Performance: Offering excellent grip with a Vibram Megagrip high-traction outsole with 5mm lugs, these runners are ideal for rugged mountain trails, including technical sidehills. They are a little too grippy for asphalt, but then again they aren’t designed for it. +1
Durability: Weighing in at 10.3 oz, these shoes are considered lightweight for a trail runner, but the rugged Vibram sole and waterproof materials allow them to stand up to all conditions. +1
Comfort: While the Women’s Speedgoat 3 are highly cushioned they are responsive and provide shock, providing the perfect balance of joint comfort and energy. +1
This winter looks a little different. Okay, let’s be honest, it’s a global pandemic and everything is different this winter. As people seek to avoid the crowds and try out new activities, there are more people in the backcountry than ever before. We will have a series on avalanche education coming out shortly, which is an incredibly important place to start to understand the risks of the backcountry. But as you start to think about what gear you need we have put together what you need to know before you go.
There is a lot of names for what we will call “non-lift served skiing,” it’s referred to as touring, AT (alpine touring), uphilling, skinning, skimo (ski mountaineering), rando (randonnee). There are probably more, and new names being introduced all the time as this becomes more popular and people want to define different aspects of moving around on skis. We have generally lumped these distinctions all together to give you a basic introduction to the sport.
Skis For Uphill Travel
Let’s start at the bottom, literally, with skis under your feet. Any ski can be mounted for touring bindings, but you want to weigh in a couple of factors before you decide on the right sticks. Given the lack of lifts, you will be walking up those hills to earn your turns. Most ski brands are making a lightweight ski that’s easier to navigate the skin track. But before you go for some skimo matchsticks, remember that the snow conditions are going to be deeper and more variable than on the resort, so it’s a fine balance for weight on the way up and heft for the way down. A few women’s options out there that we love are the Black Crows Anima Birdie, Coalition Snow’s La Nieve Ski, the Mystic from Icelantic, and Folsom Customs Primary, to name a few.
Free The Heel
What really separates resort skiing from ski touring is the bindings. You need to be able to free your heel so you can walk uphill, this allows for a more natural movement for walking. The front is called a “tech toe binding.” This is a set of pins that that clamp on to your boot allowing you to lever from that position to slide your ski forward. The back of the binding needs to have a walk to cover or turn the binding so you can step on it without locking in. This usually has risers, making the binding at t a steeper angle for you to walk up steeper terrain. The binding then needs to be able to turn or uncover so you can lock the back of your boot in to start skiing downhill. Marker, Black Diamond, and Dynafit are just some of the many companies that make bindings for the backcountry. Just make sure your bindings and boots are compatible.
These Boots Were Made For Walking
Like your bindings that allow you to flex your foot up, boots are a crucial ingredient to walking more comfortably in the backcountry. There are two important components that differentiate these boots, from your alpine ski boots – a (true) walk mode and tech inserts. Walk mode is generally a lever on the back of the boot, and while flipping up the boot articulates at the ankle, allowing you to move easily. At the top of you tour, when you transition your equipment back into downhill-ready, you’ll want to flip that lever down and lock your boots back into ski mode, making them stiffer and more responsive for a better skiing experience. Regardless most AT boots are going to be a softer flex than the ski boots you are used to. The other part is the matching component to the tech toe binding, an insert in the toe of the boot for the pins of the binding to attach to. Pretty much every boot brand is making an AT boot, so it’s about trying a lot on and walking around the store A LOT in them to find what fits your foot the best.
Skins
So you have heard touring is often called “skinning” this is a reference to the sticky, carpet-like strips you attached to the base of your skis, called skins. The hairs of the skins flatten and only glide in one direction, but then grip the snow when not flattened. This allows you to have purchased as you travel uphill, without sliding backward on the snow. Many backcountry ski manufacturers offer pre-cut skins, but you can also purchase them separately from brands like Pomoca, G3, and Black Diamond. Note that with these aftermarket options the package will include a trimming device, but be sure to watch some YouTube tutorials or stop by your local ski shop before you set about cutting skins on your own.
Safety
Most importantly if you will be heading off the resort you will need avalanche equipment – a beacon, probe and shovel. But these devices can’t save lives on their own, you must have some education to understand the risks and safety involved in backcountry conditions. Because this is such a crucial piece of travel in the mountains we will be providing a separate deep dive into this segment of gear, including some recommended airbags.
That wraps up an intro t the hardgoods side of what gear you need for the backcountry, check back next week for the soft goods round-up of what you need to gear up and get outside!
Backpacks are just one of those items, particularly for curvier smaller framed gals, that truly requires women’s specific design. Women need a backcountry day pack that not only fits all the safety essentials—shovel, probe, med kit, water, snacks, layers, etc.—but also fits all the right places. Translation: extra adjustable shoulder and chest straps. A men’s small and a women’s small backpack vary significantly in where the waist strap will sit. Men’s tend to be much lower, re: lack of wider hips. For optimum comfort, which is essential, particularly in the case of longer trips or a heavier load, a women’s backpack is designed with waist straps sitting above the hips.
Here are a few of favorite day packs for ski touring and splitboarding.
Osprey is a renowned backpack manufacturer for all manner of adventures requiring packs, but it’s particularly hailed among women as a brand with thoughtful female-specific designs. The Kresta 30 ($190) was developed with input from ski patrollers, professional backcountry guides, and skiers. We love the Kresta 30 because it’s the right size for a full day in the elements. Anything smaller and you’re probably not bringing everything that would ensure the best possible outcome if something were to go amiss. There’s so much more to admire, including wet/dry gear division, back panel access to hydration pocket, a stowable helmet carry, and a scratch-free goggle pocket.
