Whether skiing in-bounds at Whistler, hustling through a ski-tour weekend in the Canadian Rockies, or bagging peaks in Wyoming, testers agreed that Salomon killed it with the company’s debut backcountry pack. Even stuffed haphazardly, the 30-liter Quest splayed open at its huge main-pocket zipper and allowed us to find food, water, and our puffy in seconds. Several organizers inside helped, particularly the discreet but accessible-in-a-flash sleeves for a probe and shovel handle and the outside pocket for skins or crampons. And we loved the oversize grab handle, which made maneuvering the pack with gloves a breeze. Most important, the Quest was so comfortable it was often all but forgotten, even with skis carried A-frame style. “A great, trim fit with excellent storage options and no unnecessary straps to flap around,” concluded one tester. 2.4 lbs
Comfort: 4.5
Interior Access: 5
Ease of Use: 5
