Backcountry Access Float 42 Avalanche Airbag Pack

I took the BCA Float 42 2.0 half-way across the world, to the mecca of skiing, Hokkaido, to run it through the paces – here’s the verdict. It’s cleverly designed with high quality materials. Equipped to accommodate your every need, from a helmet carry that stashes away for the downhill to a custom ice axe holder in the tool compartment. The diagonal ski carry is practical, easy to access, and tucks away nicely when not in use.  

The main compartment feels spacious due to the smaller size of the 2.0 canister, and comes complete with a rear zip panel giving you quick access to the gear at the bottom of your pack. But I really can’t emphasize the new 2.0 design enough – with the canister stored nicely in the airbag pocket, you can load up more gear and keep the main compartment better organized (which we all know can get a little hectic when fully loaded). And as if that weren’t enough, it’s 15% lighter – which may not sound like much, but at the final strides of that skin to 11,000+ feet, I’ll take every ounce I can get. 

Not only did our trip to Japan take us into some of the best backcountry terrain in the world, but it took us to the clean and quite streets of Tokyo, and the Float 42 performed flawlessly. When skiing, the compression and shoulder straps, and overall back design make you feel at one with the pack. But I was really impressed by the comfortability factor when it was loaded up for our long weekend in Tokyo. Sure, it was a little heavy, but the pack truly hugs you, seemingly reducing the weight and making it very manageable. I could spend hours going on about all the features and benefits, but it’s the same story – cleverly designed with high quality materials. 

While many of the reviews will recommend this pack for professionals, I’d say anyone who does ski hut trips (or overnight trips in general) should seriously consider the Float 42. The new 2.0 design and 42 liter size give you space to fit all your overnight gear, and the back design makes skiing with a heavy pack easy. For those day trips, synching down the compression straps make the pack feel weightless. As a more aggressive skier I enjoy hucking a cliff or cornice, and I can tell you in full honesty that I usually forget I even have this thing on. My point is, you don’t have to worry about it being too big. 

Finally, we come to price which I find to be very reasonable, even with the canister sold separately. Most packs of this quality and functionality will run you over $1K and probably closer to $1,500, so getting it for $700 is a steal. All things considered, this pack is hard to beat. Its thoughtful design lives up to your every demand while not feeling clunky. Its high quality material is sure to stand the test of time. And its affordability makes it accessible to all.