Sport Products
For skiers and backcountry enthusiasts, having the right gear is paramount. Its not just about performance; it's about safety, comfort, and efficiency when tackling challenging terrain. The DYNAFIT Speed 20 Backpack has been gaining a reputation as a go-to choice for ski touring and freeride adventures. But does it live up to the hype? In this comprehensive review, well dive deep into every aspect of this backpack from its design and capacity to its durability and user experience. We'll cover everything you need to know before investing in your next piece of ski equipment. Whether you're a seasoned alpinist or just starting to explore the backcountry, this review will help you determine if the DYNAFIT Speed 20 is the right backpack for your needs. This review incorporates insights from experienced skiers and mountaineers who have used the pack in various conditions.
The DYNAFIT Speed 20 Backpack immediately impresses with its sleek, minimalist design. Its clearly built with a focus on efficiency and weight reduction crucial factors when you're ascending slopes. Lets break down the key design elements:
The "20" in the name indicates the backpack's capacity - 20 liters. This places it squarely within the range of day touring packs, ideal for shorter excursions or when you want to minimize weight. Lets consider what this volume allows:
Backcountry skiing is demanding, so durability is crucial. The DYNAFIT Speed 20 Backpack appears well-equipped to handle the rigors of the sport:
Comfort is paramount during long ascents and descents. Here's how the DYNAFIT Speed 20 performs:
Weve compiled feedback from numerous skiers and mountaineers who have used the DYNAFIT Speed 20 Backpack in various conditions:
The DYNAFIT Speed 20 Backpack sits in the premium price range for ski backpacks, reflecting its quality materials and design features. As of late 2024, it typically retails between $180 - $250, depending on the retailer and any current sales or promotions. While this is a significant investment, many users believe that the backpack's performance, durability, and comfort justify the price tag. When buying ski gear online, comparing prices across different retailers is always recommended.
The DYNAFIT Speed 20 Backpack is an excellent choice for skiers and backcountry enthusiasts who prioritize a lightweight, agile, and durable pack for day touring and freeride adventures. Its innovative ski carry system, robust construction, and comfortable fit make it a top contender in the market of ski backpacks. While the minimalist hip belt might not suit those carrying exceptionally heavy loads, its strengths significantly outweigh this minor drawback.
The DYNAFIT Speed 20 Backpack is designed for speed touring and ski mountaineering enthusiasts. It offers a lightweight, streamlined design with essential features like hydration compatibility, gear attachment points, and avalanche safety equipment storage to ensure you have everything you need when heading into the backcountry on skis.
While it's not specifically designed for beginners due to its focus on speed touring capabilities, anyone can use this backpack if they are comfortable with carrying their gear in a minimalist pack. Beginners might prefer models with more padding and organization features initially. However, as you progress in your skiing skills and backcountry experience, the Speed 20 Backpack becomes an excellent choice for streamlined efficiency.
The backpack is designed to accommodate skis up to 195cm in length. It features ski carry straps that are adjustable to fit various ski lengths and widths comfortably. This makes it a versatile option for most skiers, whether you're using narrower racing skis or wider freeride skis.
Compared to other backpacks in its class, the Speed 20 stands out due to its exceptionally lightweight design (around 650g) and streamlined profile. It lacks some of the extra features found on more robust ski touring packs like padded hip belts or separate compartment for avalanche safety gear, but these trade-offs are made to minimize weight and maximize speed in challenging terrain.
While primarily designed for skis, the backpack can accommodate snowboards if necessary. The ski carry straps can be used to secure a snowboard diagonally across the back panel. However, this might make it slightly less comfortable and reduce your overall mobility compared to carrying skis. It's generally recommended that you use specific snowboard carriers for optimal comfort and convenience when transporting a snowboard.
The backpack features an internal hydration reservoir sleeve designed to hold up to a 3L water bladder (sold separately). It also has two external hose ports that allow you to route your drinking tube conveniently over each shoulder. This ensures easy access to hydration while on the go, which is crucial during intense ski touring sessions.
Although designed for speed and agility, the backpack has been engineered with a durable construction that can withstand heavier loads (up to around 15kg). It features reinforced stitching at stress points and utilizes high-quality materials like Cordura fabric. However, it's important to note that carrying excessively heavy gear in this pack might compromise its intended performance and comfort.
Yes, the backpack includes a dedicated avalanche safety pocket with internal organization compartments for storing your shovel, probe, and transceiver safely and securely. This ensures that your essential rescue gear is easily accessible in an emergency situation on the mountain.
The pack offers several external attachment points: daisy chains on each side of the pack for attaching additional gear, trekking pole loops, and ice axe carry straps with a quick-release mechanism. These features allow you to easily attach your essential equipment while keeping it secure during fast descents or challenging traverses.
The backpack is designed with minimal padding for weight savings. The shoulder straps are contoured for comfort, but they lack thick padding. Similarly, the back panel utilizes a breathable mesh material to promote ventilation while minimizing bulk and weight. This design choice prioritizes speed and agility over maximum cushioning.
While not fully waterproof, it's constructed with water-resistant materials like Cordura fabric that provide good protection against light rain or snow. However, for heavier downpours or prolonged exposure to wet conditions, we recommend using a separate backpack cover or storing your gear in dry bags inside the pack.
Yes! There are dedicated loops and attachment points specifically designed for securing crampons to the exterior of the backpack. This ensures that they remain easily accessible while also keeping them safely out of the way during skiing or climbing.
The pack features an adjustable sternum strap with a whistle buckle for added stability and comfort, but it doesn't include a traditional padded hip belt due to its focus on weight reduction. This minimalist approach is ideal for speed touring where quick transitions and minimal bulk are key.
The backpack utilizes lightweight Duraflex buckles throughout, which are known for their durability and ease of operation even with gloved hands. These buckles have been rigorously tested to withstand harsh conditions and frequent use in demanding environments.
DYNAFIT backpacks are primarily manufactured in Europe, specifically in Italy or China, depending on the specific model and production run. DYNAFIT prioritizes quality manufacturing processes and adheres to strict European safety standards.
To keep your backpack looking its best and performing at peak efficiency, we recommend spot cleaning it with a mild detergent and damp cloth. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners that could damage the materials. Allow the pack to air dry thoroughly before storing it away.