Airbag packs
Airbag Backpack: Avalanche Safety
An essential piece of safety equipment for freeride skiing and ski touring, the airbag backpack helps keep you on the surface in the event of an avalanche. At Glisshop, we offer a wide selection from leading brands such as BCA, Ortovox, Mammut, and ARVA, giving you the choice between versatility and adaptability. Our aim is to help you invest in a pack that suits your style of riding. The models we stock feature either a mechanical inflation system or an electric deployment system. Both options are highly reliable. All are ergonomically designed and provide quick access to your shovel and probe, which are also indispensable when venturing off-piste.
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£742.32
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From £628.65
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£719.91
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£611.91
The Black Diamond Jetforce Ultra Light Pack 26l Black airbag backpack is ultra-lightweight thanks to its Alpride 2.0 Airbag 150 litre construction that inflates in less than 5".
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£854.91
The Plume 30 UL White airbag pack by Arva features a lightweight, abrasion-resistant construction and the reliable Reactor 2.0 system for optimal avalanche safety.
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£539.91
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£485.91
The BCA Float 12 2.0 Black is a compact, functional airbag backpack for freeriding or ski touring, equipped with ample space for safety gear and a radio transmitter.
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£584.91
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£494.91
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£787.32
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£669.15
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£629.91
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£535.41
The BCA Float 32 2.0 Black is a durable, high-capacity airbag backpack designed for backcountry skiing, featuring an airbag system, equipment carrying options, and a dedicated safety compartment.
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£1,169.91
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From £989.91
Featuring an airbag system, built-in back protection and 25 litres of capacity, the BCA Float E2 25L is a robust and very practical airbag backpack for your freeride sessions.
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£13.41
The Safety Pack Black Red shovel and probe cover from Arva features a large zippered opening and mesh window for quick access to gear.
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£620.91
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£557.91
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£1,034.91
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£926.91
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£1,034.91
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£926.91
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£697.32
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From £619.65
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£584.91
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£494.91
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£1,327.32
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From £1,123.65
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£1,034.91
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£881.91
The Pack Patrol E2 38 Kit Black airbag backpack by Scott offers advanced avalanche safety, versatile carrying options, and durable lightweight design for demanding mountain adventures.
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£1,079.91
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£917.91
The Scott Pack Patrol Ultralight E2 25 Kit White Black is a robust, lightweight 25-litre airbag pack with an advanced safety system for mountain adventures.
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Which Airbag Backpack Should You Choose?
Carving a line down untouched slopes, breaking trail through deep powder, and riding an entire face with your mates – what a thrill! Whether on skis or a snowboard, freeriding delivers unique sensations, breathtaking scenery and the joy of fresh snow, far from the crowds and bustle of ski resorts. But the call of wide-open terrain should never overshadow the inherent risks. The avalanche airbag pack, which inflates like a balloon, is currently the most advanced avalanche safety system available. It significantly increases the chances of surviving a slide. However, it’s vital to remember that checking the avalanche forecast, understanding snow science, assessing slope angles, and seeking advice from local professionals are even more important than simply wearing an airbag backpack.
Buying Guide: Choosing an Avalanche Airbag for Freeride
In freeride terrain, avalanche danger is very real. There’s no snow grooming or controlled blasting of cornices and couloirs. Before enjoying untouched snow in the backcountry, you must carefully assess avalanche hazards, study your route and recent weather conditions, and of course, equip yourself with effective safety gear.
What Precautions Should You Take Before Going Off-Piste?
Even before discussing avalanche rescue equipment, it’s crucial to properly prepare your outing to minimise risks. Preparation includes studying your planned route, analysing slope steepness, consulting the latest avalanche risk bulletin, and assessing snowpack stability on site. We also recommend familiarising yourself with the different methods suggested by ANENA for managing avalanche risk.
What Safety Gear Do You Need for Freeride or Ski Touring?
First and foremost, you must carry the essential trio: shovel, probe, and transceiver (avalanche beacon). Only these three tools together allow you to locate, reach, and dig out a buried victim quickly. Beyond this basic kit, you can further enhance your safety with an avalanche airbag pack. Whether powered by gas cartridges or an electric fan, these packs provide crucial protection by helping to keep your upper body at the surface of a slide.
How Does an Avalanche Airbag Work?
Research shows that in an avalanche, a physical process called inverse segregation occurs: larger snow chunks tend to rise to the surface while smaller particles sink deeper. This principle inspired mountain safety experts to develop the first mechanical-trigger airbags. The concept is straightforward: if bigger particles remain on top, making the skier ‘larger’ increases buoyancy and survival chances. Major brands such as ARVA, Mammut, Ortovox, BCA, and Scott adapted the car airbag principle to a ski backpack that inflates instantly. A small pressurised gas canister, an airbag stored inside the pack, and a trigger handle complete the system. In case of a slide, pulling the handle releases the gas, inflating U-shaped airbags of 150–200 litres within seconds. One of the best-known designs is the Alpride system. Although not foolproof, it has proven highly effective in improving survival rates. More recently, electric-trigger airbags have emerged, using a fan instead of gas. Pulling the handle activates the turbine, inflating one or more balloons in record time. This is a strong alternative to gas, which can be problematic for air travel and is single-use. With an electric fan, you can practise multiple deployments, as recharging the battery keeps the system ready to use.
Gas Cartridge vs Electric Airbag Systems: Which Is More Effective?
There are two main inflation systems for avalanche airbags:
- The mechanical system uses one or more single-use gas cartridges. Pulling the handle releases the gas, inflating the airbag(s) within seconds. This simple, proven design is lightweight and highly efficient.
- The electric system relies on a supercapacitor that stores energy. When the handle is pulled, it powers a fan that rapidly inflates the airbag(s). Its key advantage is reusability without replacing cartridges. A fully charged supercapacitor allows up to four deployments. Recharging is easy via USB cable or AA batteries. This technology also enables practice deployments, ensuring you’re fully prepared in real conditions.
Which Brand Offers the Lightest Airbag Backpack: ARVA, BCA, Scott, Ortovox, or Mammut?
Between mechanical (gas cartridge) and electric systems, there is a noticeable weight difference. Here’s a comparison of various models:
Weight of mechanical-trigger airbags (pack + system without gas cartridge):
- ARVA Plume 30 UL: 430+650 g
- ARVA Explore 30 Switch: 1300+650 g
- ARVA Explore 40 Switch: 1380+650 g
- ARVA Tour 28 UL: 1250+650 g
- ARVA Ride 24 Switch: 985+650 g
- Calgary 18 Reactor: 1100+650 g
- Switch Extreme Bundle (Ride 24 + Explore 40): 480+550+650 g
- Switch Mix Bundle (Ride 18 + Tour 32): 650+860+650 g
- BCA Float 12 2.0: 1500+600 g
- BCA Float 22 2.0: 1550+600 g
- BCA Float 32 2.0: 1700+600 g
- Mammut Tour 30 Women: 1355+700 g
- Mammut Tour 30: 1410+700 g
- Mammut Free 28: 1225+700 g
- Mammut Free 22: 1215+700 g
Weight of electric-trigger airbags:
- Scott Pack Patrol E2 22 Kit: 1380+1140 g
- Scott Pack Patrol E2 38 Kit: 1620+1140 g
- Scott Pack Patrol Ultralight E2 25 Kit: 780+1140 g
- Scott Pack E2 30 Kit: 1580+1140 g
- Ortovox Avabag Litric Freeride 28L: 2400 g (including airbag system)
- Ortovox Avabag Litric Tour 30L: 2410 g (including airbag system)
- Ortovox Avabag Litric Tour 28S: 2370 g (including airbag system)
- BCA Float E2 25L: 1500+1100 g
- BCA Float E2 15L: 1500+1100 g
How to Recharge an Avalanche Airbag Cartridge?
Refilling an airbag cartridge depends on the system:
- Steel or carbon cartridges (Mammut, Ortovox, BCA…): Single-use, non-rechargeable. They must be replaced or exchanged with a new one via the retailer.
- Rechargeable cartridge systems (Mammut or BCA): In some cases, cartridges can be refilled at a specialist shop or directly through the retailer.
- Electric systems (Alpride E1 and E2): Inflation is powered by supercapacitors, rechargeable via USB cable or AA batteries. They are not subject to transport, shipping, or storage restrictions.
If you’d like to complete your mountain safety kit with a state-of-the-art avalanche airbag, feel free to contact us by phone, chat, or email. We’ll be delighted to help you refine your choice.