Gear Spotlight: JetForce Avalanche Bags
Posted on February 14, 2014 by
Xploritall got a sneak peak at the latest and greatest snowsports gear unveiled at the SIA Snow Show in Denver. We will be posting Gear Spotlights on some of the best products we saw. Most won't be released until Fall 2014.
Safety is the new sexy. Some of the more exciting product revelations lately have safety as a major theme. Perhaps a lot of that has to do with bias toward self-preservation. But in any case, it is great that companies are focusing on innovating technologies that make life easier for those that like to live on the edge. One of the best products revealed for Fall 2014 was the JetForce avalanche bags designed by Black Diamond and Pieps. With more and more skiers and snowboarders venturing out of bounds and avalanche danger fairly high, especially lately, the market is ripe for innovation. Even though avalanche air bags have been around in some form or another since 1985, and sales have recently skyrocketed, there are downsides with the compressed-gas-cylinder air bags systems. They have to be charged and re-charged, and cannot be brought on to airline flights.
The new JetForce avalanche bag technology eliminates the issues with the standard avy bags, because they don't use compressed-gas-cylinders. Instead, the system operates using a rechargeable lithium-ion battery powered fan, the first of its kind. The fan spins at 60,000rpms to inflate the bag within 4 seconds, and the bag can be repacked and reused several times (4+) with a single charge. Let's hope you don't actually need to use it once, let alone several times. But, it's nice to know you can. The Pieps electronics provides a systems check to reassure you that the bag is ready to go when activated. The other innovative feature is the "top off bursts" - after initial inflation, the fan will continue pulse on and off to keep the bag fully inflated for 2.5 minutes. After 3 minutes, it will automatically deflate, providing an air pocket in the snow for breathing and potentially to allow self-rescue. The bags are puncture-resistant, using Cordura, the same material used in automotive airbags. The bag can still inflate even with moderate punctures or tears.
Black Diamond will include JetForce in 3 of their upcoming Fall 2014 packs, each with two separate sizing options.
All bags will feature:
> reACTIV suspension with SwingArm™ shoulder straps and zippered backpanel access
> JetForce Technology airbag system built-in; rechargeable, travel-friendly and extremely durable
> Dedicated avy-tools pocket and ice tool PickPockets™
> Tuck-away diagonal ski carry and vertical snowboard carry allow airbag to deploy while skis are attached
> HiLo helmet holder, hipbelt stash pocket and zippered top accessory pocket
> Materials: 840d Ballistic Nylon, 210d Ripstop Nylon, 315d Cordura®
> Unisex
SAGA 40
The larger-capacity option for ski patrollers, snow professionals and hut-to-hut trips. Available in M/L (40L, 2,440 cu in, 7lb 11oz) and S/M (38L, 2,320 cu in, 7lb 9oz).
HALO 29 (shown in photos throughout this page)
The go-to, mid-sized backcountry ski pack for day-long tours. Available in M/L (28L, 1,700 cu in, 7lb 8oz) and S/M (26L, 1,590 cu in, 7lb 8oz).
PILOT 11
Minimalist bag designed for heli trips, cat skiing and out-the-gate resort skiing. Available in M/L (11L, 670 cu in, 7lb 3oz) and S/M (9L, 550 cu in, 7lb 1oz).
POC will also release an 11L bag, the Thorax, featuring JetForce avalanche technology.
>>Visit the Black Diamond Equipment website
>>Visit the POC Sports website
>>Find other Black Diamond products
>>Find other POC products
Safety is the new sexy. Some of the more exciting product revelations lately have safety as a major theme. Perhaps a lot of that has to do with bias toward self-preservation. But in any case, it is great that companies are focusing on innovating technologies that make life easier for those that like to live on the edge. One of the best products revealed for Fall 2014 was the JetForce avalanche bags designed by Black Diamond and Pieps. With more and more skiers and snowboarders venturing out of bounds and avalanche danger fairly high, especially lately, the market is ripe for innovation. Even though avalanche air bags have been around in some form or another since 1985, and sales have recently skyrocketed, there are downsides with the compressed-gas-cylinder air bags systems. They have to be charged and re-charged, and cannot be brought on to airline flights.
The new JetForce avalanche bag technology eliminates the issues with the standard avy bags, because they don't use compressed-gas-cylinders. Instead, the system operates using a rechargeable lithium-ion battery powered fan, the first of its kind. The fan spins at 60,000rpms to inflate the bag within 4 seconds, and the bag can be repacked and reused several times (4+) with a single charge. Let's hope you don't actually need to use it once, let alone several times. But, it's nice to know you can. The Pieps electronics provides a systems check to reassure you that the bag is ready to go when activated. The other innovative feature is the "top off bursts" - after initial inflation, the fan will continue pulse on and off to keep the bag fully inflated for 2.5 minutes. After 3 minutes, it will automatically deflate, providing an air pocket in the snow for breathing and potentially to allow self-rescue. The bags are puncture-resistant, using Cordura, the same material used in automotive airbags. The bag can still inflate even with moderate punctures or tears.
Black Diamond will include JetForce in 3 of their upcoming Fall 2014 packs, each with two separate sizing options.
All bags will feature:
> reACTIV suspension with SwingArm™ shoulder straps and zippered backpanel access
> JetForce Technology airbag system built-in; rechargeable, travel-friendly and extremely durable
> Dedicated avy-tools pocket and ice tool PickPockets™
> Tuck-away diagonal ski carry and vertical snowboard carry allow airbag to deploy while skis are attached
> HiLo helmet holder, hipbelt stash pocket and zippered top accessory pocket
> Materials: 840d Ballistic Nylon, 210d Ripstop Nylon, 315d Cordura®
> Unisex
SAGA 40
The larger-capacity option for ski patrollers, snow professionals and hut-to-hut trips. Available in M/L (40L, 2,440 cu in, 7lb 11oz) and S/M (38L, 2,320 cu in, 7lb 9oz).
HALO 29 (shown in photos throughout this page)
The go-to, mid-sized backcountry ski pack for day-long tours. Available in M/L (28L, 1,700 cu in, 7lb 8oz) and S/M (26L, 1,590 cu in, 7lb 8oz).
PILOT 11
Minimalist bag designed for heli trips, cat skiing and out-the-gate resort skiing. Available in M/L (11L, 670 cu in, 7lb 3oz) and S/M (9L, 550 cu in, 7lb 1oz).
POC will also release an 11L bag, the Thorax, featuring JetForce avalanche technology.
>>Visit the Black Diamond Equipment website
>>Visit the POC Sports website
>>Find other Black Diamond products
>>Find other POC products
