Arc’teryx introduced the Quintic this year with the help of Eric “Hoji” Hjorleifson, renowned backcountry and big-mountain skier. It was designed to store all the gear you need for a day out in the mountains and does so while maintaining a very ergonomic fit against your back. The storage layout is slightly different than what most traditional backpacks offer. Over the top are three zippers. The front one leads to a slightly padded pocket that is great for goggles or sunglasses and the back one leads to a similarly sized pocket with an internal zippered sleeve that works well for any snacks or small belongings you want to carry along. The middle of the three top zippers leads to a large pocket for all your snow safety and/or wet gear, with sleeves to keep things organized.

Either side of the pack has a vertical zipper on it. One leads to a small compartment for a water bottle or Thermos, which can be reached for quick hydration while the pack is being worn but does require a little bit of flexibility out of your left arm. The zipper on the opposite side leads to a compartment that seems small at first glance but is actually quite roomy and runs the entire length of the pack. This can be used for storage of extra layers and whatever other gear you want to bring along while keeping spearated from your tools. There is also a zippered interior sleeve here for further organization.

On the front of the pack are two compressions straps with multiple buckles and a few gear loops. This well thought out design allows versatility in the way you carry your gear (A-frame/diagonal ski carry) without an abundance of straps dangling off your pack.

The pack is available in four colors as well as short, regular and tall sizes. Whether it’s a day in the sidecountry, backcountry or just bombing around the resort, the Quintic 28 is a versatile pack that will get the job done.