Dynafit Expedition 30 Pack

I got this pack to use for a 100-mile ski race. There are a couple of booter sections so the Skimo-style ski retention was ideal for me. I have used it on two 50k training skis so far.
Likes:
1 Carries the weight close to my back so the center of mass isn't hanging out there too far, interfering with fore-aft balance. The design of the pack is more wide than thick, and the internal frame probably helps here too. Really happy with weight distribution of this pack.
2. Side zipper pocked allows quick access to your gear.
3. Crampon pocket in the bottom is really nice for the same reason.
4. Astonishingly light for how much it holds and all the features it has.
5. The roll-top dry-bag style top closure provides extra volume if you need it, and is easy to use.
6. The pocket in the rear is worthless for a shovel (WTH?) but works great for a puffy and I even stuffed some running shoes in there (barely!) for one training ski (for which I needed to hike out in the mud the final mile).
7. Comfy shoulder straps. Just an all around comfortable pack.

Dislikes:
1. Like all-things Dynafit: Questionable durability. I've never been happy with the longevity of any Dynafit product I have owned, except their bindings. From jackets to trail runners to water bottle holders to ski boots, Dynafit lasts a single-season at best. Hope this pack is different, but the logo on the back was peeling off after the first ski and now looks like trash, so that's not encouraging.
2. Ski retention bungee is a little on the short side when the pack is full. I wonder if that should be adjustable somehow. Also the ski hook is pretty small. They probably just re-used their Skimo hook, but this pack is obviously not going to be used by spandex-clad Skimo races. With a name like "Expedition", duh...
3. Minor nit: The shoulder straps should really have one or more soft-flask or water bottle holders built in. I installed Arva ones (because I've had durability problems with the Dynafit version) and they work great.
4. Buckles seem pretty cheap/fragile. I bet if you accidently stepped on the waist strap, sternum strap dry bag buckles they would break into several pieces. The top hook closure however is bomber.

Overall though, a great find at under $100. We'll see how long it lasts. Maybe Dynafit athletes toss their gear at the end of each season. Maybe I'll wish I got the CAMP instead.

I don't have very many nice things to say about this pack. The hook system doesn't work if you have anything in the pack. The lower compartment gets squashed by gear in the main compartment making it hard to get things into it for pack-on transitions. The external pocket is too small for anything but skimo race skins.

Durability is pathetic. After one season of modest use I had torn off one of the webbing daisy chains, stitching on a shoulder strap was coming undone, the waterproof coating was rubbing off, and there were numerous holes in it from my crampons (which were always carried in the heavy bag they came in). Warrantied it and the replacement came with stitching coming undone on the shoulder straps. I've barely used it and the waterproofing is rubbing off, and I broke the metal piece that cinches the outer flap over the roll-top.

Bag has (had?) a lifetime warranty so it might be worth the current sale price of $95 if you intend to warranty it every season.

Is there a way to carry skis and an ice axe at the same time with this pack?

Disclaimer: I have not used this pack in the field yet. This review is based on a few hours of playing around with it and my observations so far.

This pack is SO close to being perfect but it has a few issues.

In the tradition of Festivus, I will begin with the airing of grievances.

To start, there is an external stuff pocket that is just a hair too narrow to properly hold avy gear. I tried both a BCA and a black diamond shovel and both "mostly" fit but had about an inch of the shovel head exposed. The pocket tapers for no reason. If they just didn't taper it, everything would fit fine. To pile on with this, the pocket is secured by the buckle so the head of a shovel will (sorta) fit and won't fall out but if you slid a probe or the handle of the shovel in, they would fall out if the pack were turned upside down. Just adding a small flap you could tuck under the buckle would solve this.

Next "avy gear" issue is the internal storage for handle shovel/probe. Inside the main compartment are two, velcro fastners, one top and one near the bottom. They are wide enough to hold the probe and handle together but why? Why not just have either two sets of these, one for each or better yet, a couple of sleeves. Adding a couple 7D ripstop sleeves would add virtually zero weight and be much more practical.

Continuing with the "weird storage" trend is the "Ice axe speed attachment" which without any explanation from Dynafit seems to be different from any other pack they make. FWIW, I may not be doing this correctly? Anyway, instead of having a small loop like their other packs, there is a bit of webbing that pops out near the base of the stuff pocket with another, perpendicular loop in the middle. The first bit of webbing has a length adjustment hidden inside the crampon compartment. In theory, I guess you could hold two ice axes with this and then attach both handles to the webbing and buckle loop on the left shoulder? Well, it's awkward to adjust, the adjustment loop gets tangled with crampons and when I tried putting two axes in it fit poorly.

Next, the helmet attachment system? Does this exist? It's not listed as a feature on Dynafit's site for this product but it is here. The only thing I can find that might be considered a helmet attachment is a bit of shock cord sewn inside the top right edge of the stuff pocket. It seems more likely this is to hold avy gear or something? I honestly have no clue what it's there for.

Ok, got all that out of the way, now let's focus on the good stuff!

First, this pack is really light. The straps all have a nice, high density foam filling and the buckles are easy to use. The roll top design is great and between the large top and side zip, it's easy to access anything you like. For an UL bag, it's also has very good structure. The foam padding along with stiff insert in the back panel allow this to function as a framed pack without the weight associated with internal frame packs. You could carry about 30lbs in this with it killing your shoulders.

Inside you have the aforementioned velcro loops for long, stiff things as well as another velcro loop for securing a hydration bladder and a port right between the straps for the hose. There is also the classic Dynafit dry storage bag with international safety info printed on it. Inside, that's it.

More strap stuff; right shoulder has the aluminum ski hook which is super easy to use and has a lot of tension in the shock cord strap. I could put my skis in and hook up the loop without taking the pack off without much effort and skis feel very secure. Really nice design. In the left strap, it fits the CAMP Action Bottle Holder (sold by Skimo) perfectly. There is a horzontal webbing attachment the vertical loop on the bottle holder fits perfectly with and the colors even match. If some sees it, they would assume it's a factory integrated accessory.

Crampon pocket is spacious. I easily fit them in and the entry port is wide enough that no origami was required. The velcro panel feels secure when closed although snow and velcro don't always play nice so we'll see how that goes.

Finally, there are daisy chains on either side of the stuff pocket. These seem pretty handy although they are very lightweight and I would be wary of putting much load on them. I will probably put a couple two sided velcro loops on to use as a better ice axe attachment system and they could be used to attach a helmet as well. They're daisy chains, use your imagination!

In all, this pack is REALLY close to being exactly what I wanted and I will be breaking out my sewing machine and modifying it to get a little closer. As is, this pack is really nice for when I want more volume for camera gear and the like in a lightweight pack.

I will follow this up as I get more experience with the pack and post photos of any modifications I make.

Can this pack carry a water bottle on the shoulder strap?

Pending durability which based off of the material choices I am not so concerned about I think this is an excellent dialed pack. It has the best of both worlds as far as extendability and weather protection as offered by roll top design but with access to the main pouch through a side zipper. The outer pocket is just large enough to fit a mammut alugator light (real shovel) and a probe, keeping it on the outside. It is tight, but it works and keeps the avy gear readily accessible. I also have stashed jackets underneath the shovel blade on the outside while delayering which is nice. The inside main pouch is volumnous, easily swallowing a fast and light overnight load or a gear intensive day trip. The race carry hook is perhaps the most dialed that I've played with and feels bomber. I really love the foam on the shoulder and waist straps which is minimalistic but very anatomical and comfortable. The coating is essentially waterproof for most purposes and has kept my kit dry in 38 degree saturated snow and mixed rain.

Some additions I would add for my personal tastes, a small pocket on the shoulder for either a softflask or a phone. And a larger exterior pouch for a better fit with shovels. I also would prefer the crampon access pouch to be zippered which I prefer over velcro which is fine for racing but lacks the security of a zipper in the long term imo. Perhaps add a simple modular helmet carry elastic mesh webbing piece to use with the front lashing points because let's face it, this is an expensive pack. Sure I can use one of the aftermarket ones I already have but at this price point they could throw in one of those. I also would prefer the side zip to extend longer. It's just big enough to be easily usable, but it would be even more usable if slightly longer.

Thoughts of water repellency on this vs the blacklight 30? And is the only difference the fabric?

It looks like this pack does not have an option to A-carry the skis? There is no side straps, correct?

Any update on the pack weights and ski loop size now that you guys have these in stock? They look like they might be the perfect long day backpack..

Does this pack has an avalanche stuff pocket? (for probe, shovel, etc.)