Reviewed by Louis
Dawson
Are all backcountry
snow shovels the same? If they hold up to abuse and are reasonably
lightweight, for some of us the answer might be yes. Nonetheless,
if you're refining your junkshow for less weight and more efficiency,
getting the best in shovels can help. More, since you are carrying
a shovel to save your buddy if they're buried in the white
tomb, perhaps it should be the best shovel you can get.
Indigo
Equipment is a relatively new company, and they're making a mark
with equipment that is
reliable and carefully designed. Their Snow Logic shovel follows
in that vein.
First, let's be clear that this
shovel is super strong -- it might even be the strongest plastic
backcountry shovel out there. The blade is polycarbonate (beefy),
and is reinforced with deep ribs that add a huge amount of strength
without excess weight. The aluminum handle is strong as well,
with the telescoping section indexed so it can't rotate while
you line up the holes for the detent buttons -- thus
saving valuable
seconds in an avalanche scenario.
A word about shovel weight: Of
all the gear we carry, shovels are probably the most what-you-see-is-what-you-get.
For a given size, different brands vary little in weight, and
if you carry a few more ounces, you usually get slightly more
beef or size. There are shovel choices that weigh a few ounces
less then the Stow Away, but they may be slightly smaller or
not hold up as well in frequent use. If you seldom use your shovel
and are conservative in avalanche terrain, carrying the lightest
shovel you can buy is probably the way to go. Otherwise choose
the correct size and durability for your style of use -- the
Indigo
is one such choice.
 |
| Shovel attached to pack by shoving
handle down behind compression straps -- sano, baby! |
 |
| Detail of how shaft goes
through pack compression straps. Bungie is looped below the
lower strap to prevent shovel from sliding up and out. Pack
is a Granite Gear Virga -- light and simple. |
Strength and efficiency aside,
the best thing about he Stow Away is the "stowaway" handle.
One of our least favorite ways of carrying a shovel is with the
handle looking like an antenna pole sticking above our head,
waiting to catch branches and the occasional lightning bolt.
Thus, we break down our shovels and stow them in our packs,
or at
least take the handle out of the blade when we strap them on
the outside of our bag. Result: shovel and handle are separated,
with re-assembly taking precious moments if life is at stake. No
more.
Bring on the Indigo Stowaway.
Through an ingenious configuration of the shaft socket in the
plastic shovel blade, the handle can
be shoved through the socket at a slight angle, and thus stowed
sandwiched with the blade -- ready for almost instant assembly.
Not only
that,
but
if you carry the shovel on the outside of your pack, you can
sandwich any available straps between the handle and blade,
add one strap or a bungie, and you have a shovel carrying system
that's
the
cleanest we've seen.
Our whines about this product
are minimal: The color may not be to everyone's taste, and we'd
like to see a detent hole that keeps the shaft from sliding out
of the socket when fully collapsed in the Stow Away position.
And our usual complaint: how about egging out
the existing lashing holes a bit so they fit wider straps; and
how about a
few extra lash holes (we usually make these ourselves)? And hey,
why not a titanium handle option for the true fanatics out
there?
Other
than those
minor
gripes we are fine. As proof, one
of our crew snagged
our
sample
shovel
and made
it
their
scoop
of
choice. Sorry Indigo, you can not have it back.
In all, the Indigo Stow Away
is a terrific shovel for the winter backcountry traveler, and
with a street
price
of about $35.00, it is affordable for anyone with half
a mind to be responsible and
safe in the backcountry -- or dig out their ride at the trailhead
after an epic dump.
- Weight: 24 oz
- Assembled Length:
20.5"
- Extended Length: 27.5"
- Packed
Length: 14"
[Wildsnow.com
Gear Review Policy]
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