Backcountry Staple
At three pounds, the Cruise is light enough for quick tours and sidecountry laps, but at 30 liters there’s also just enough space to load up for a full day in the backcountry. An external shove-it pocket is the perfect size for climbing skins or a lightweight down jacket. The reinforced A-frame ski straps can be adjusted to carry snowshoes or a snowboard. Inside, the back panel’s piece of (removable) open-and-closed-cell foam pulls double duty, adding a bit of suspension and also insulating your back from your hydration bladder. Our only gripe: We love the quick and easy access through the back panel’s U-shaped zipper, but the actual zips should be beefier—ours were catching after a week of use. 3 lbs;
COMFORT: 4.5
EASE OF USE: 4