The Patrol E1 30 is my avy backpack of choice for a handful of reasons. Firstly, no cannisters. They're annoying for traveling on planes, need refilling, and while they are very effective for single-use, just more fiddly to own. The problem with most electrical bags, is that they're heavy. But the E1 system is lightweight, making this one of the lighter options on the market, canister or electric. That's particularly important to me, and doubtless most NS members, because having a heavy weight on your back SUCKS for throwing tricks.
The bag deploys fast and reliably when I've tested it. It also charges fast and the capacitors will recharge on the go when you add in a set of AA batteries. Basically, the reason I like this bag so much is convenience. It's the most user-friendly airbag out there in my opinion.
It's not the greatest bag for storage/sorting your gear because essentially the bag comes with a single large compartment and a smaller insert for organizing your shovel/probe. The E1 system also takes up a fair amount of space, which to me means that the 30L option is just big enough for a proper day bag, but if you want to carry anything much beyond your shovel/probe, some snacks and some warmer layers, you're going to want to size up to the 40l. The 22l option would be for more in-resort/slackcountry use.
But the storage is a minor inconvenience at most. The bag is comfortable and it's the first avy bag I've felt at all comfortable throwing tricks in. It's partly the low total weight, but the motor/capacitor sit close to your back, around the level of the hip straps meaning you feel far less weight than any other bag I've tried. Before, loathe as I am to admit it, I've tended to weigh up (ha) whether it's worth taking an avy bag with me on sidecountry missions to go film tricks, or even on long climbs. But I'm happy riding with the Patrol 30 any day when I'm leaving the slopes at all, and that's a huge difference. Highly recommended.
The bag deploys fast and reliably when I've tested it. It also charges fast and the capacitors will recharge on the go when you add in a set of AA batteries. Basically, the reason I like this bag so much is convenience. It's the most user-friendly airbag out there in my opinion.
It's not the greatest bag for storage/sorting your gear because essentially the bag comes with a single large compartment and a smaller insert for organizing your shovel/probe. The E1 system also takes up a fair amount of space, which to me means that the 30L option is just big enough for a proper day bag, but if you want to carry anything much beyond your shovel/probe, some snacks and some warmer layers, you're going to want to size up to the 40l. The 22l option would be for more in-resort/slackcountry use.
But the storage is a minor inconvenience at most. The bag is comfortable and it's the first avy bag I've felt at all comfortable throwing tricks in. It's partly the low total weight, but the motor/capacitor sit close to your back, around the level of the hip straps meaning you feel far less weight than any other bag I've tried. Before, loathe as I am to admit it, I've tended to weigh up (ha) whether it's worth taking an avy bag with me on sidecountry missions to go film tricks, or even on long climbs. But I'm happy riding with the Patrol 30 any day when I'm leaving the slopes at all, and that's a huge difference. Highly recommended.
