COLD TESTED

Over the last 25-plus years since I started riding with more gear and accessories , I ’ ve evaluated a lot of backpacks .

A lot of them have been fine packs that carried the stuff I needed and did their job efficiently . But then when the next season began I always reverted back to my old favorite – a True Adventure Gear Storm Pack that ’ s now probably older than some of my co-workers . It was light , durable and well-laid out , and it sat well on my shoulders . Plus , I ’ d developed my own packing system with the Storm Pack where everything I carry had its dedicated location .

The FXR Ride Pack I tested last winter , though , has finally made me put the True Adventure pack on the shelf . And it ’ s because this pack had the one thing I demand of every snowmobile I ride : A decent suspension system .

In the case of a backpack , a suspension system doesn ’ t include shocks , but it does integrate a spring setup that is installed into the back ( a . k . a . body-facing ) side of the pack .

It ’ s made of two flexible , vertically mounted flat metal slats that measure 16 inches tall and 1 inch wide , plus a thick plastic mesh material that runs from the bottom to the top of the backpack . The key is the flex – it helps carry and distribute the weight of the loaded pack while also keeping the pack from being pressed hard against the wearer ’ s body .

I was suspicious of the system at first , but it worked well . And after doing some research , I learned such suspension systems have become popular in a lot of different communities , including the hiking and hunting crowds .

When riding with my usual assortment of spare gloves , goggles , headsocks and a midlayer plus a couple of handy tools , a small first aid kit , a tow rope , some food items , water bottles and more , I found the FXR Ride Pack was less taxing on my shoulders than other setups I ’ ve used .

The suspension system was certainly a big part of that , but the pack had other rider-friendly features as well . They included wide , padded shoulder straps and two front clips ( one at the waist , the other at the chest ) with big plastic buckles that were easy to use with gloves hands .

The pack had a copious amount of storage – 40 liters , according to FXR specs . The massive main compartment included an internal pocket to separate your gear , plus a smaller internal zipper pocket behind a mesh material . The secondary compartment was just as deep but not as wide , and a third outer pocket was 8 inches deep and intended for smaller items .

Across the top was a deep square pocket that was fleece-lined to make it ideal for carrying a spare set of goggles or other items that you want to protect from getting scratched .

Hiding on the very bottom of the pack was another zipper that , when opened , exposes a waterproof shell cover on a tether cord . It can be pulled over the entire pack when riding in wet conditions .

On the outer fringes of the pack was a handy , flexible area designed to carry a portable shovel head , plus specific places to mount a shovel handle and / or an avalanche probe .

INFO

Ride Pack – $ 119.99 FXR Winnipeg , Manitoba FXR Racing . com

LARGE : The Ride Pack is big overall , measuring about 20 inches tall and 14 inches wide . And it holds its shape when the suspension system is installed .

PURPOSE BUILT : Some riders might find the pack , its large straps and its suspension cumbersome , but the crowd that carries serious weight should check it out .

HANDY : It offers a plethora of storage options and is very well thought out .

Back to the suspension for a second : It can also be easily removed . That made the pack lighter for instances when I just wanted to use it for hauling a few miscellaneous items on non-riding weekends . When it was removed , though , the wearer lost the waist strap and two small , handy pockets mounted to it . Also , for casual use I found the shoulder straps to be quite oversized .

Bottom line , it ’ s obvious this pack was purpose-built for snowmobiling , whether you ’ re a flatlander or a powder hound . And it ’ s my new pack of choice .

- John T . Prusak

56 / NOVEMBER 2024 / SNOWGOER . COM