Review: North Face Proprius 38 Backpack
Andy Sovick
(This post sponsored by our publishing partner Cripple Creek Backcountry.)
Author, Andy Sovick, stopping for a view of Colorado’s Gore Range along the 16 mile Commando Run.
My first ski pack was a frumpy orange hulk of a bag with one top-loading compartment and a “brain” with a beefy zipper. I got it when I was seventeen, and fell in love right away. Nevermind that it always appeared to be sliding off my shoulders like a sleeping toddler in a kid’s pack. This sack received much tongue-in-cheek commentary and judgement from friends and partners. And I loved it. I loved it so much, I skied with it exclusively for 15 years. It was simple (top-loading), big enough for multi-day trips, with enough strap-features to compress to small day tours. It has been loved so much, it has probably achieved Velveteen Rabbit “real” status. I found myself talking to it. Time to move on?
After 16 delightful years with my rust colored relic, I finally buckled and got an airbag ski pack, repurposing the orange relic as an elk hunting tool. I have been very happy with my new airbag pack, since I’m part of the camp that believes in using tools that have a real possibility of saving a life in the event of an avalanche.
But, what about ski touring when I don’t need an airbag? I spend well over half the season on light, low-angle tours, or spring trips in highly predictable conditions. In these cases, I’d rather have something simpler and lighter weight, a bag like Trusty ol’ Orange.
Therefore, I’ve been on the prowl for a pack to fill the gap, but a guy can be mighty discerning when he’s comparing everything to his first love (am I right guys? Ladies?). Before I let the metaphors run away, I better review some gear. WildSnow got a North Face Proprius 38 ski touring pack, I volunteered. This pack is part of the “Summit Series” from The North Face, and is made specifically for ski mountaineering.
North Face Proprius weighs 42 oz.
A minimalist pack, this is not. Which is why it’s impressive to see the Proprius weighing in at 42 oz. In other words, its features-to-weight ratio is impressive. A plus for me is the lack of multiple zippers and compartments. The one compartment “option” that is included in this pack has me feeling like I could compromise (just this once). The “skin and crampon pocket” which is located on the bottom of the pack, is accessible by a velcro side-entry door. Not a new concept, and one that’s liked and reviled by perhaps a 50/50 split in the ski touring population.
This bottom compartment is much like the sleeping bag compartment found in many summer backpacking rigs. It is intended for crampons and skins (or perhaps a “rando” rope stowed for quick access). Moisture stays separate and accessories can be reached without taking off the pack. Since I have not gone on a crampon-style tour with this pack yet, I have happily stored a large water bottle in this compartment along with my skins. I’ve begun to get spoiled by quick access to the water bottle, mid-stride, without removing any straps on my pack. I also experimented with a shell, puffy, and snacks in the bottom compartment, but ultimately I think the skins are better off in there.
The bottom compartment. Nice quick access to things like water bottles and skins.
If you’re a “one-compartment-only” purist (like I tend to be), you can open an internal zipper to make the Proprius into a one-compartment pack (this could be scissored out permanently, WildSnow style). The brain can be removed via a reversible buckle system, which would further downsize and simplify, bringing the base-weight down to 38 ounces.
I like the bottom chamber, but I do question the functionality of the velcro closure over the long-term. I am, after all, interested in a permanent relationship with a top-loading pack. If the velcro began to fatigue, I’d start looking for DIY rigs to ensure the flap stays shut. As many of you know, this type of velcro flapped lower compartment is not a new concept; it was probably first implemented by Dynafit quite some time ago. Some folks find it relatively useless, others do agree that the velcro can be problematic and suggest immediately adding a “safety” clip of some sort to prevent catastrophic loss of essential gear. If we do a long term use review, I’ll include ideas about that.
Other key features: The diagonal ski carry loop and hook is designed for quick deployment without taking off your pack. The bottom loop looks big and in the way at first, but it still hasn’t bothered me yet. I’ve used it with my Romp 96mm boards, and my 80mm racing skis. Both have slid into, and held tightly within this system. Thumbs up with a caveat. As with many lightweight ski rucksacks, Proprius 38 has no protection against your ski edges, careful packing is required. Those who carry strapped skis for hours on end may need to add extra fabric, or wrap an extra item of clothing around the skis where they friction the pack.
The upper diagonal ski carry loop.
There is a water bladder sleeve inside the pack. I don’t like water bladders anymore, as I’ve had too many incidents over the years with leaks, freezing parts, and moldy floaties. Water bottles work just fine for me. If you prefer a bladder, then this sleeve will work well, along with a velcro loop on top to minimize flopping. I would rather The North Face traded this water sleeve out for a sleeve that would swallow up my shovel blade, handle and probe (I tried to jam it in, but it’s too narrow for the blade, and too shallow for the probe). For now I have to stick to my old system of tucking the probe, saw, and shovel parts into the main compartment corners. But I might soon be inclined to fashion my own shovel/probe sleeve into this pack, if our relationship is otherwise going smoothly.
In front is an adjustable sternum strap with a whistle and an insulated water bottle holder on the shoulder strap. I removed this holder after one day with it, but I know some people like these. Two drawstrings close the top function smoothly, with a strap/buckle to top it off. Two axe holders work well, and appear to be strong enough.
Water bottle holder on shoulder strap.
Conclusion. A feature-filled ski specific top loader? Designers at The North Face decorated this pack with just enough features to make it interesting and kind of fun, but I’d still call it simple (e.g., lack of gear loops and waist belt pouches), and up for a long life in the elements. The easy access velcro door to the bottom is innocent until proven guilty in regards to longevity, so I can’t say it’s a bad idea just yet; besides, I like it! I don’t need to see a dedicated compartment with straw sized organized sleeves for avalanche rescue gear, but I sure wish this pack had a simple tool sleeve. It is, after all, intended specifically for ski mountaineering. Let’s see some attention to avalanche rescue.
My big praise for this pack is for its comfort — a somewhat personal thing as different packs seem to fit different people for better or worse — but it my case better. I’ve loaded it down for a three day hut trip, a full day one-way tour, for simple morning tours, and even simpler resort uphills. No matter what, the pack is comfortable. Does it replace Trusty ol’ Orange? Only time will tell. If you see me waxing nostalgic about it on WildSnow in 16 years, then you’ll have your answer of whether it found its way into my heart. Until then, it’s found a place on my back for a long term test.
Proprius 38 will be available fall of 2018.
(WildSnow guest blogger Andy Sovick is the founder and owner of Off-Piste Ski Atlas. A self-professed map-geek, Andy has been skiing Colorado’s backcountry his entire life. Raised on cross-country skis pulled from a dumpster in Fort Collins, he started his ski career following his parent’s tracks along Cameron Pass. Having perfected the classic wobbly telemark turn, and subsequent telemark face-plant, he moved to Durango, where he graduated from Fort Lewis College in Durango. He now resides with his wife and son in Gunnison, Colorado.)
IF YOU'RE HAVING TROUBLE VIEWING SITE, TRY WHITELISTING IN YOUR ADBLOCKER, OTHERWISE PLEASE CONTACT US USING MENU ABOVE, OR FACEBOOK.
Comments
14 Responses to “Review: North Face Proprius 38 Backpack”
The velcro on my Dynafit crampon box is still going strong without any failures after years of use (it’s my only pack for the backcountry). Thought the velcro would be an issue when I saw photos on this site of DIY buckles, but it’s held without anything but a little attention. YMMV.
I have been using the smaller The North Face Rapidus 20 Backpack.
The lower ski loop is adjustable. The adjustment buckle is inside the backpack.
The upper diagonal ski carry loop is also adjustable. And you can pull it down from below to stow the hook mostly inside a sleeve compartment.
The velcro flap compartment is easy to get to while wearing the pack and I use it primarily for skins, crampons, and folded waterproof map.
The water bottle carrier is awesome and includes a simple elastic loop to retain the top of the bottle.
The pack has two levels separated by a zip out and there are slots on each side for probe and shovel handle storage. Look for them; I’m guessing they are in the large sizes also.
I use the upper layer to store a La Sportiva RSR helmet and a The North Face L3 Down Jacket.
Kristian,
thanks for pointing out the adjustments on each side of the ski carry system. Yes, this pack has those adjustment features, I have since used them for my fat boards too, and they handle well.
You are right in guessing that there are slots on each side of the zipper compartment. My BCA probe, however doesn’t fit into either side, and the shovel only fits if I force it a little bit. Not ideal since I like to pull it out a few times on each tour to check out the snowpack.
Thanks for your input.
Hey lou I sent a facebook message to the page. Would love if you could check it out.
I too am using the 20L version of this guy and LOVE it.
-Yes you do have to be a bit more careful with the edges for LONG hauls of ski on backpack. But nothing some aquaseal can’t fix/ armor in the wear area.
-In the smaller version I use my probe and shovel handle as a sort of “stay” on the backpack.
Love the skimo hook and velcro crampon/ skin pocket and now want those features on all my ski packs now.
Nice review Andy!
Also, the water bottle carrier was installed too high on my pack. I moved it lower to chest sternum height.
Kristian,
As you can see in the photo, it was installed too high on my pack too. I messed around with a few locations. Lower down on the same side is best. It definitely works well, and I’ll be sure to re-install it if I enter a rec. race, or fill the bottom velcro pocket with crampons, rope or anything else that displaces my bottle. For most tours so far, I’ve been happy to leave it at home and keep my “front-side-clutter” to a minimum.
Andy, the front side bottle holder is really dorky, but it works well to remind me to drink more frequently. The price you pay for hydration!
I’ve used a 30L Dynafit pack with a velcro flapped skin box for a couple hundred days of touring over several years. The velcro closure has never failed.
Many days I ski without having to take the pack off: lunch in reachable side pocket; skins in box; water in water bladder; helmet and goggles on head; ventilation via zippers.
One of my goals when touring is to reduce fiddling. Putting a pack on and off seems like fiddling. I’d rather be skiing or just admiring the snowy world (also known as catching my breath).
Thanks Jim, appreciate your take. Lou
Nice info Andy BUT would this pack be fashionable with my wool WW2 knickers, my lumberjack flannel shirt and my old learher ski boots with my handmade knit hat that my son made?
Emil. You might be a good candidate for having “Trusty Ol’ Orange” as a hand-me-down. In fact you wore it packing out that elk with me this fall….which reminds me: I never gave you any meat for helping me pack. Oops.
I have enough meat in my life.
But I was glad to try that old pack out. Maybe I’ll write a Review on it someday.
But first, Emil, we need a review of your hat. And, is the rest of the world fashionable enough to be seen with you?