Ortovox Avabag Litric Tour Pack

Ortovox has developed three versions of its new Avabag. The Avabag LiTRIC Tour comes in a 28-litre short, 30-litre, 36-litre short, and 40-litre capacities, the Avabag LiTRIC Freeride comes in a 16-litre short, 18-litre, 26-litre short, and 28-litre sizes whereas the lightest option, the Avabag LiTRIC Zero comes only in a 27-litre size.

The Avabag LiTRIC Tour is a modular airbag base that comes in two back lengths (regular and short) and can be adapted for any use by zipping on a 28-litre short, 30-litre, 36-litre short, or 40-litre pack. The circumferential zipper offers quick access to the main compartment while skis, snowboards, ice axes, and ropes can be affixed to the exterior along with space for a helmet (thanks to the included helmet carry net) and climbing skins. There is also a separate avalanche rescue equipment compartment to keep things separate, organized and easy to reach when needed.

The Avabag LiTRIC Freeride is a little different from the Avabag LiTRIC Tour in that it can accommodate a 16-liter short, 18-liter, 26-liter short, and 28-liter pack. This modular Freeride LiTRIC airbag base can be used on the TOUR base and vice versa. The LiTRIC Freeride’s Clasp Back Technology offers a wide, flexible hip belt and soft shoulder straps while fitting snugly to the back, allowing for complete freedom of movement. Freeride LiTRIC is also compatible with ORTOVOX’s clasp spine protector, which can be purchased separately.

The Avabag LiTRIC Zero is the only version which does not utilize a modular design and no size options can be zipped on or off, the only size option is 27 Litres. The LiTRIC Zero is, however, the lightest of the Avabags weighing in at just 1.96kg / 4lbs 5oz. It uses lighter materials and fabrics but still incorporates an attachment option for skis, ice axe or poles as well as an avalanche safety equipment pocket in the main compartment.

Now that we have all the various size and configuration details out of the way let's focus on the the Avabag Litric Tour 30 and all of the features it offers. The lightweight design uses a Full Contact Light system which fits snugly to your back, providing a high level of comfort. It comes complete with a long list of features which we will cover below after we speak more about the functionality of the airbag system.

Because the airbag system uses lithium Ion batteries to charge the pack’s supercapacitor it can be deployed several times for testing and practice with no additional cost to replace or refill air canisters. The batteries are easily charged at home via USB-C and provide enough power for two activations within approximately a 60 hour timeframe. Once charged the Avabag LiTRIC Tour 30 Pack is ready to use for approximately 30 days.

To turn on the system you simply press the power button and the red/yellow/green lights will flash on the side of the pack while the system boots up and the lithium Ion batteries charge the supercapacitor. This can take anywhere from a few seconds to 25min depending on how long the pack has been stored. Once ready, the system will display a flashing green light on the side of the pack to show that there is enough energy for at least two activations, if you see green and yellow lights flashing this means that it is okay to use the airbag and that it has enough charge for just 8 hours. A red flashing light means that you need to recharge the batteries and cannot use the system until it has been recharged.

The activation handle located on the left shoulder strap of the pack can be vertically adjusted based on your height and comfort. When you see the black side of the handle this means that it is in the locked position and the airbag cannot be fired. Simply rotate the handle 180° to engage it—this will then show the orange side of the handle which indicates it is ready to deploy. Simply pull the handle forcefully and abruptly and the airbag will inflate with 150L of air in about 4 seconds. The system will inflate the airbag again within one and then two minutes to ensure that the airbag remains inflated.

For more insight into how the Avabag LiTRIC Tour 30 operates watch the following ‘how to use’ video:

Access to the main compartment of the Avabag LiTRIC Tour 30 is by way of a circumferential zipper which opens the pack clamshell style, providing quick access to the main compartment. With no gas cartridge required for the airbag system, there’s more internal space for carry gear which is always welcome.

The top pocket is where you can carry smaller items such as snacks, car keys, phone and sunglasses. This is also where you will find the deflation tool permanently affixed.

Avalanche rescue equipment is stowed in a separate zippered safety compartment located on the front of the Avabag Litric Tour 30 which is indicated by two orange zipper pulls which are easily located in an emergency.

On the bottom of the Avabag LiTRIC Tour 30 there is a small zippered pocket which contains the helmet carry net and diagonal ski carry/ice axe loop. These are stowed away until needed to maintain the pack's clean minimal appearance.

Ortovox has redesigned the safety leg strap to make it easier to use and less cumbersome. The safety strap must be used whenever you are wearing the pack and the airbag is engaged to be used as it will keep the pack positioned properly on your body in the event of an avalanche.

The side compression straps are not meant to be used for an A-frame ski carry since the skis will get in the way of the airbag deployment. Skis can be carried in a diagonal configuration on the back of the pack, the bottom loop is found in the helmet carry pocket and the top loop is hidden in a small pocket on the top of the pack. Additional straps are provided to configure the snowboard carry system on the back of the pack instead of skis.

Ortovox Avabag LiTRIC Tour
Base: polyamide 420D Cordura; Zip-on: polyamide 400D (77% recycled)

Ortovox Avabag LiTRIC Freeride
Base: polyamide 420D Cordura; Zip-on: polyamide 400D (100% recycled)

Ortovox Avabag LiTRIC Zero
Base: Polyamid 210D EXTREMA. This pack does not have a base/zip on system

• Height-adjustable and secure deployment handle
• Reimagined safety leg strap
• Intuitive design
• Produced in the most environmentally friendly way possible with any unavoidable CO2 emissions have been offset.
• Lightweight and reliable
• 2 Activations within approx. 60h
• Top pocket
• Ready to use for approx. 30 days
• Lithium-ion battery 3.7V, 2000MAh, 7.4Wh
• Operating Temperature of -30C to 45C
• Airbag Volume is 150 Litres
• Warranty of two years, 5 Years upon registering
• Zip On-System
• Separate safety compartment
• Diagonal ski carry
• Snowboard and snowshoe holder
• Hydration compatible

With so many choices in the Avabag LiTRIC lineup, I decided to go for the Tour option as I wanted a lightweight pack but I also wanted the flexibility of being able to customize the pack’s size for different adventures. While 36L would have been ideal it is only available in the smaller back size, so I had to opt for the 30L version. I tested the pack extensively while skiing for a few weeks at Mount Carlyle Lodge in the Selkirk Mountains so that I could see how it carried weight, how its various features performed in the field and how comfortable it was to wear for long days in the backcountry. While I never had to use the airbag in a real avalanche scenario I did test it several times to see how fast it inflated, how the activation handle operated and then how to repack the airbag and ready it for use.

Overall the activation handle was easy to use and simple to switch from armed to locked, when it came time to deploy the airbag it inflated very quickly. By following the instructions found inside the pack I quickly became acquainted with how to repack the airbag and ready the system for continued use. I am impressed by how small the airbag system is and how little space it takes up inside the pack. While I’d prefer another 6L of interior space I made due with the 30L volume but may consider moving up to the 40L size since it is as simple as zipping on a new pack size.

The pack was comfortable enough to carry day after day and fit my body quite well. I would have liked some pockets on the harness for storing easy-access items like sunscreen, snacks and a phone but I made do with storing these items in the small zippered pocket located on the top of the pack. I really appreciate the clean aesthetic of the Avabag LiTRIC Tour 30’s design and like that the helmet carry and ski carry options are stowed out of the way until needed. While I am not a snowboarder the carry system for boards does seem like a bit of an afterthought and not as streamlined as it could be, while the diagonal ski carry system was easy to use.

I really appreciated how Ortovox refined the design of the safety strap as it was not as floppy-floppy as many others. I also liked the fact that the Avabag LiTRIC Tour 30 was hydration compatible, although there was no separate inner sleeve for the hydration bag nor an insulated shoulder strap which would have made things even better. To get a pack this light, concessions have to be made and these are two of them.

Having reviewed the Osprey Soelden Pro Avalanche Airbag Pack a few years ago I would have to say that it would be the closest competitor to the new Ortovox Avabag LiTRIC Tour 30. They are both supercapacitor airbag packs with similar features and capacity but I much prefer the overall design, quality and features integrated into the Ortovox Avabag LiTRIC Tour 30. I find that it carries weight more confidently, is more well thought out overall and the activation handle and airbag system are far superior.

If you have the dough and want the piece of mind of an airbag pack then a supercapacitor system such as the Avabag LiTRIC is the way to go. Given how light the Avabag LiTRIC is, its ease of operation and its overall versatility of being able to easily switch pack volumes it's definitely the pack to have in the backcountry.