Once I first picked up the brand new Arc’teryx Micon Litric 42 airbag pack at a commerce present over the summer time, I believed to myself, that’s sort of heavy for a ski touring backpack. Then I noticed the “LiTRIC” label and airbag set off and realized that there was a totally functioning airbag system in there. A relative featherweight.
Quick ahead 5 months and I’ve taken the Arc’teryx Micon LiTRIC on about fifteen excursions. Not sufficient for the ultimate phrase on this pack, however loads of hands-on time to share the nice and unhealthy for folk contemplating the substantial funding on this household of digital airbag packs.
Why Pay $1650 for a Backpack?
There’s no getting round it. The Micon LiTRIC is downright costly at $1,650. Digital airbag packs are expensive typically, however it’s the best of the high-end. You could possibly purchase a canister-style airbag pack and a whole quiver of non-airbag packs for that a lot. Or you can purchase the superb Scott Patrol E2 (geared up with the comparable Alpride E2 Supercapacitor) for $1,350 and a brand new pair of ski touring pants.
However if in case you have the funds, the Micon LiTRIC is exceptionally mild for an airbag pack. Arc’teryx claims it’s the lightest airbag system in the marketplace. My 42-Liter model, probably the most voluminous of the three choices, weighs in at 2,138 g (4.71 lbs) My 30-liter Scott Patrol E2 clocks in at 2,786 g (6.14 lbs). Canister-based methods are bulkier and heavier. The favored Dakine RAS Poacher 36L pack geared up with Mammut’s Detachable Airbag 3.0® system, for instance, weighs 3,062 g (6.75 lbs.). The Arc’teryx Micon LiTRIC shaves a few third of the load of the Dakine pack but additionally prices twice as a lot.
The LiTRIC system can be fairly small in comparison with different methods in the marketplace, roughly the identical dimension because the Alpride E2. Canister methods are infamous for chewing up inside quantity in ski packs and digital methods just like the LiTRIC reduce footprint.
I used to be a sluggish convert to digital airbag methods, however it’s robust to argue towards the opposite apparent advantages . Digital methods permit the consumer to follow deploying the airbag without having to refill a canister. They’re additionally a lot simpler to journey with since they don’t face any sort of journey restrictions like pressurized canisters do.
How the Micon LiTRIC 42 Suits within the LiTRIC Pack Universe
The Arc’teryx Micon LiTRIC packs are actually accessible within the US after the system was recalled in 2023. Like I alluded to earlier than, the Micon LiTRIC 42 is the most important of the three-pack lineup that additionally consists of 32L ($1,600) and 16L ($1,500) choices. Arc’teryx sells the non-airbag geared up Micon packs in 32L and 42L sizes which have been round for a number of years beneath the “Rush SK” title.
There are a number of different digital airbag methods in the marketplace. The highest opponents are Alpride’s E2 and Black Diamond’s Jetforce, each of that are heavier and a hair cheaper than the LiTRIC. Alpride’s E2 system is licensed out to different pack producers so that you’ll see it in BCA, Osprey, Deuter, and Scott’s airbag packs. (Drew Zieff reviewed the BCA Float E2 35L pack just lately for WildSnow.) The LiTRIC system was co-developed by Ortovox and Arc’teryx, in order that they’re the one corporations utilizing the tech at this level.
What follows are my first impressions of the usability of the pack itself. I’m not digging into the LiTRIC system tech too deeply right here for proper now–WildSnow has coated the LiTRIC airbag system itself in depth– and I’m within the on a regular basis expertise of utilizing the pack within the discipline.
What I Like Concerning the Arc’Teryx Micon LiTRIC
First appears to be like like these can typically come off as very destructive (or artificially constructive). I attempt to sniff out flaws in gear earlier than I study to understand the extra refined advantages. So whereas I’m about to element a few of this pack’s cons, here’s what I actually like about it.
The burden.
I already touched on this earlier. However I’ve been snowboarding with the pack nonstop, even whereas meadow skipping, as a result of the load appears to fall just below the brink of feeling like an airbag pack. That is main since most folk see weight as one of many two main obstacles to adopting an airbag pack.
The goggle pocket.
Or if you happen to don’t carry goggles, a “issues” pocket on the high of the pack. It’s huge. I want each pack had a pocket like this. I’ve been in a position to drop sun shades, sunscreen, lunch, snacks, and so forth in and there’s room for extra.
The airbag set off deal with.
It may be anchored into completely different places on the shoulder strap and may be moved to the precise shoulder as an alternative of the default left shoulder. Lefties will probably be psyched. In minimalist trend, the set off is all the time uncovered on the shoulder strap reasonably than tucking right into a devoted pocket or sleeve. Luckily, there’s a twist-lock mechanism that forestalls it from being pulled erroneously. Is it attainable to by chance lock the deal with whereas attempting to deploy the airbag? That’s a query I’m investigating. I’ll get again to you on that one.
The primary compartment.
I don’t have a scientific option to take a look at the precise usable quantity at this second, however the primary pocket is massive. I had no hassle becoming numerous gear in there, together with a full spring load out (for testing functions, for now) together with RAD Line, crampons, ski crampons, tiny harness, and so forth. The compression straps do a very good job of compressing the pack for smaller masses. If ski mountaineering is in your seasonal cycle, I wouldn’t hesitate to go for the 42L for all-season snowboarding.
The shoulder and hip straps.
The Micon LiTRIC’s hip and shoulder straps are easy and light-weight, however removed from uncomfortable. They do rather a lot with somewhat in that regard. Regardless of having primarily zero padding on the again panel, I discovered carrying the Micon Litric, even with heavier masses, to be a lot comfy.
Gripes with the Arc’teryx Micon Litric
Okay now to my notes and nit-picks to date.
Again Panel
The again panel is boxy and padding is non-existent. Whereas not uncomfortable, I’ve discovered that It’s a bit bouncier on the downhill than others, together with the Scott Patrol E2. That massive rectangular again panel doesn’t precisely hug your again or hips. I’ve been compensating by cinching the shoulder straps as tight as attainable, and that has been ample for my wants.
Pack Format
The Micon LiTRIC zips open clamshell model, and I’ve tended to place the 2 zipper sliders to the aspect in order that I can entry the primary compartment and the avy instruments pocket from the aspect with the pack mendacity on its aspect. As a result of the airbag is positioned on the high of the primary compartment, there’s not a ton of room to tug issues out of the pack from there. Aspect entry has typically labored fairly nicely, however I’ve to recollect to maintain the zipper sliders on the aspect between the 2 aspect compression straps.
The hip belt pockets are small, elastic, and never secured by a zipper. I haven’t misplaced something out of them but, however the lack of safety means they’re been devoted snack pockets. I believe that’s wonderful given the beneficiant goggle pocket up high.
Avy instruments pocket
One unusual design characteristic is the aspect avy instruments pocket entry. The higher compression strap bifurcates the primary aspect avy instruments pocket zipper, making it somewhat bit fiddly to entry with gloves on. You both must push the zipper slider beneath the compression strap, or unhook the compression strap completely, which is awkward given the non-traditional buckle hook factor. You may as well entry the shovel-probe pocket from the highest by way of a small zipper contained in the pack’s important compartment.
There’s one sleeve contained in the avy instruments pocket for a probe or shovel deal with, however it’s unimaginable to tug the probe or deal with out from the aspect once they’re holstered in there, so I’ve been merely including all of the gear in there unfastened, which has labored wonderful. Backside line, it takes extra time to tug out avy instruments than every other pack I’ve used. That could possibly be a dealbreaker for some skiers on the market. Others might want to follow getting these instruments out to mitigate the fiddle issue.
Odds’n’Ends
There are few different issues which have caught out to me as attention-grabbing. All of the buckles are plastic, which is a departure from most different airbag packs that make use of steel clasps and buckles to face up to the beating of an avalanche. I reached out to Arc’teryx to ask about this design alternative and testing and can replace this put up after I hear again.
The ice axe carry is bizarre. There’s a dogbone and decide loop on the backside of the pack, however no devoted holster for the shaft aside from the higher compression/ski/snowboard carry strap that doesn’t cease it from transferring laterally. It’s the identical system because the Rush Sk 32 pack (now the Micon 32) that I’ve skied with extensively. There’s an attachment level for a ski strap or different DIY answer in the midst of the pack a minimum of. However the most suitable choice I’ve discovered is so as to add the software to the avy instruments pocket, which solely works if you happen to’re utilizing a shorter software just like the Black Diamond Venom LT or Petzl Gully. However you then even have one other factor in the way in which of your avy instruments.
Testing is ongoing
Thus far, the Micon Litric 42 has a number of quirks. It additionally has some main strengths. I’m going to maintain snowboarding with it and attempt to get a extra full long-term overview posted as soon as I do know it inside and outside. At this level I’m a fan of the pack total, primarily as a result of I haven’t thought twice about carrying it. It’s so dang mild. The very best security gear is the stuff you’ll truly use, and I’m positively extra eager to haul the Arc’teryx Micon Litric 42 than all of the earlier airbag packs I’ve used, even when the options aren’t as dialed because the Scott Patrol E2.
Hit me up within the feedback if in case you have any particular questions or have examined the Micon LiTRIC 42 your self.
Bergen Tjossem is a ski fanatic, conservation skilled, and nature nerd primarily based in Vail, Colorado. His life and profession have centered round defending the pure surroundings and public lands that raised him, however as Ed Abbey put it, “It’s not sufficient to struggle for the land; It’s much more essential to take pleasure in it.” So when he’s not working his day job, you’ll discover Bergen ski touring earlier than daybreak, mountain climbing at the hours of darkness, working trails till his legs fall off, snowboarding 13er’s along with his pals, or making the world’s greatest pizza along with his spouse, Rachel. Yow will discover him on Instagram.
