MINIMALIST
This featherweight was designed for rando racers鈥攖hink running uphill on skis, and then bombing back down鈥攂ut easy access and minimalist design also made the 290 (as in grams) our testers’ choice for the resort. It easily fits under a jacket, but at 1,098 cubic inches, it’s big enough for the occasional hop out the gate, when you need to carry barely more than a shovel, probe, and extra layer. 10 oz; camp-usa.com
Bonus: Since it was designed for racing, you can access skis or skins without taking off the pack.
Bummer: Euro disco-theque yellow-green is the only color available.