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13 Of The Best Backpacks For Snowboarding 2024

Are you searching for the best backpacks for snowboarding?

Looking for the best backpacks for snowboarding? Snowboarding and skiing are two of our favorite hobbies to do in the winter.

Over the last several years we have been on the mission to snowboard and ski some of the best mountains in the United States and to find the best gear possible.

We spend countless hours doing research on the best gear on the market and below you will find the best backpacks for snowboarding so that you have the best experience while out on the slopes with your pack! Enjoy!

Sam wearing one of the best snowboard backpacks of 2023 while shredding down the mountain in Telluride.

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Top 3 Best Backpacks For Snowboarding:

🌟 #1 Pick: CamelBak PowderHound 12 Hydration Pack

  • Great for snowboarding at ski resorts
  • Easy to attach your snowboard or skis for a hike up the mountain
  • Made out of waterproof technology

👉🏼 Click here to get your own CamelBak PowderHound 12 Hydration Pack today!

⭐️ #2 Pick: Jones Descent Backpack 25L

  • Excellent for small backcountry runs or to wear at a ski resort
  • Multiple strap options to hold your snowboard or skis in place on hikes
  • 25L capacity allows for extra layers, snacks, and equipment

👉🏼 Check out this link to get your own Jones Descent Backpack 25L!

⭐️ #3 Pick: Deuter Freescape Pro 40+

  • Perfect for mountaineering, snowshoeing, ski touring, and more!
  • Easy access safety compartment to store your avalanche emergency equipment
  • Countless features, compartments, and storage to hold all your belongings

👉🏼 Be sure to check out this link to get your Deuter Freescape Pro 40+ for your next outdoor adventure!

Ski slopes with snowy mountains in the distance and skiers going down the trails.

The Ultimate List of the Best Snowboard Backpacks You Cannot Miss in 2023

1. CamelBak PowderHound 12 Hydration Pack – Overall The Best Snowboard Pack

We cannot say enough good things about the CamelBak PowderHound snowboarding backpack. This backpack was designed specially for winter sports and has some great features that you will admire while out on the slopes!

Pros:

This is one of the top snowboard backpacks on the market and has a 2 liter reservoir for water. This is excellent so that you can stay hydrated while boarding down the resort slopes.

The PowderHound pack has 12 liters of storage for your other belongings. This is perfect for storing extra food and drinks as well as extra layers. 

The design is extremely sleek and streamlined, not only does this pack look great on but the size is perfect for hopping on and off of ski lifts.

The CamelBak PowderHound backpack was designed to be able to carry skis or a snowboard when hiking up terrain. This is so awesome that your hands can be free and you can focus on the climb ahead of you. 

There are secure zipper pockets inside of this pack for keys, wallet, and other essentials. This is awesome for quick access so that you don’t have to go digging around for your belongings.

This backpack was designed with a chest and waist strap to ensure that your backpack is secure.

Last but not least, we love the SnowShield Material that CamelBak uses that repels snow and keeps the inside of your bag dry while on the slopes.

Cons:

There is only one strap to keep your skis/snowboard in place when strapping them onto your pack.

We wish there were two straps in order to keep your board more stable and in place. 

This may seem picky but there is no outer backpack storage on this backpack.

It would be awesome if there was an outer mesh pocket to put random storage in!

The insulation on the water reservoir does not hold up super well on very cold days.

In order to keep the water hose from freezing, make sure that you are zipping your pack all the way up and taking frequent sips of water to keep the water moving throughout.

👉🏼 Be sure to check out this link to grab your CamelBak PowderHound 12 Hydration Pack today!

Skiing the untouched terrain with snow and trees surrounding us while wearing our favorite ski and snowboard backpacks.

2. Jones Descent Backpack 25L – The Best Jones Snowboard Backpack

The Jones brand makes some seriously high quality products for snowboarding and we are huge fans of their different products.

This backpack is great for smaller adventures in the backcountry and can be used at typical ski and snowboarding resorts as well.

Pros:

We love that this backpack was specifically designed to keep its weight evenly distributed throughout so that the pack isn’t super heavy on your hips or back.

Additionally, we love that this backpack comes with multiple straps for carrying your snowboard or skis up the mountain.

There are vertical strap options as well as side strap options depending on what gear you are using and how you would like to carry your equipment. 

Another feature that stands out about this backpack is the fleece lined goggle pocket.

We love this design because it keeps your goggles from fogging up or freezing inside of your pack!

Also, we love the hip pocket feature of this snowboarding backpack because it allows you to store snacks and your cell phone for easy use.

Cons:

Some of the zippers really require some strength to open and close and you may need two hands to operate them.

Another small con would be that there is no designated area to keep a radio on your backpack. This could be a nice feature for those snowboarding in the backcountry.

👉🏼 Click here to get your Jones Descent Backpack 25L!

Sam's snowboard laying in snow with views of the mountains and trees in the distance.

3. Deuter Freescape Pro 40+ – The Best Snowboarding Backpack for Mountaineering

If you are looking for a serious pack that performs excellent for mountaineering, snowshoeing, ski touring, or any other expedition that will have you in the wilderness needing lots of gear, this backpack is for you!

Pros:

We love the two fastening straps that are sure to keep your skis and snowboard in place while you are exploring the backcountry. 

Additionally, we love the emergency compartment where you can store safety equipment such as a probe and a shovel.

We love that this compartment is easily accessible so that you don’t have to go digging into your bag searching for safety devices in case of an emergency.

Another feature that we love is that this snowboarding backpacking is made out of recycled material which is great for the environment. 

Also, we love that there is an integrated helmet compartment that can be removed too. This is so nice for carrying your helmet on long hikes. 

For those looking to do some serious mountaineering or backcountry expeditions, we love that this backpack is designed with a rope fixation belt so that you can easily strap your rope on your pack. 

Cons:

There truly are not many cons about this backpack but if we had to say one it might be that this backpack is fairly large and may seem a bit bulky.

However, if you are doing some serious mountaineering, this backpack is excellent due to its large size so that you can easily carry all of your equipment.

👉🏼 Check out this link to get your Deuter Freescape Pro 40+ today!

Abby skiing with one of the best ski and snowboard backpacks of 2023.

4. Ortovox Freerider 28L

Ortovox is an excellent brand known for their high end technology when it comes to winter sports gear. The Ortovox Freerider 28L was designed to be a small pack that has all the essential features and gadgets that you will need. 

Pros:

One of the coolest things about this pack is that it is made out of recycled material and is considered to be climate-neutral.

This is excellent for those looking for green and sustainable products.

Another aspect that stands out with this backpack is the safety equipment compartments and features.

This pack comes with a special zipper compartment designed to store your safety gear and straps to hold your ice ax on the outside.

The Ortovox Freerider also comes with a helmet net feature which is great for holding onto your helmet without having to keep it in your hands the whole time. 

Cons:

There are not many problems with this backpack but, the Ortovox Freerider is pretty expensive.

👉🏼 Be sure to grab your Ortovox Freerider here!

Sam snowboarding with one of his favorite snowboard backpacks on.

5. The North Face Snomad 34L

North Face is one of the leading outdoor adventure brands on the market and they make some truly remarkable clothing, gear, and equipment for trekking in the backcountry on a hike or hitting the backcountry area on your skis or snowboard… North Face is a solid brand for countless activities. 

The North Face Snomad 34L is no exception, this backpack for snowboarding is one of the best on the market for hitting the backcountry.

There are countless features that will have you falling in love with this pack!

Pros:

We love that you can pick from a S/M or a L/XL this is awesome for those looking for a specific fit and size.

Additionally, having the ability to pick the size is great for women vs men because women typically lean towards smaller backpacks!

Another feature that we really admire about this snowboarding backpack is the adjustable ice ax carrying system.

You can choose whether you want to carry your ax on the left or right side of your pack.

Additionally, we love that this backpack comes with two straps to hold your skis or snowboard in place.

This is such a great feature so that you do not have to stress or worry about your board coming loose while hiking up the mountain. 

The Snomad backpack also comes with an integrated helmet carrying system so that you can quickly and easily strap your helmet onto your pack!

We love that this backpack comes with this design so that you don’t have to try and rig it yourself. 

Furthermore, this backpack comes with a hefty amount of space to store your extra belongings, layers, food, and more!

Cons:

One con may be that this backpack seems a little more bulky than other options on the market.

However, this backpack does come with quite a few unique features and storage options so it makes sense that this pack might seem bigger than others!

👉🏼 Check out this link to get your Snomad 34 Backpack!

A blue bird day on the ski slopes with endless powder surrounded by trees.

6. Jones DSCNT 32: R.A.S – Best Backcountry Snowboard Pack

The Jones brand is one of the highest quality snowboarding brands on the market and we rave about all of their products.

Their DSCNT 32 R.A.S. backpack is no different and we believe it is one of the best backpacks for snowboarding on the market due to its high quality and incredible features. 

Pros:

One of the key features that stands out about this bag is the pockets created to hold the Mammut Removable Airbag 3.0 System.

This feature is incredibly nice for those skiing or snowboarding the backcountry where there may be a risk of avalanches.

For those that decide to install the airbag system, the airbag is used to keep you above the snow in case of an avalanche so that you do not get buried underneath.

Another feature that we love is the avalanche tool pocket that is designed to keep all of your safety equipment. 

Additionally, we love that this backpack has the “5 Red Flags” installed into the backpack that remind you of things to look out for when exploring the backcountry. 

Furthermore, we love that this bag comes with hip belt pockets. This is incredibly nice to store snacks and your cell phone. 

Cons:

We do wish that this bag came with more features on the outside of the backpack.

For instance, it would be nice to have some mesh pockets to be able to slide things in and out easily without having to unzip the pack each time.

👉🏼 Grab your own Jones DSCNT 32: R.A.S. today!

A ski lift with mountains and snow in the distance.

7. Dakine Heli Pro 20L – The Best Dakine Snowboard Backpack

The Dakine Heli Pro 20L snowboarding backpack is the best Dakine pack on the market. We love that this backpack is designed for smaller backcountry adventures but it is also great for use at ski resorts. 

Pros:

First, we love that this backpack comes in a wide variety of color options. This can be hard to find when it comes to snowboarding backpacks. 

Another feature that we adore about this backpack is the different straps and options you can choose from when hiking up the mountain with your board or skis.

You can pick to strap in your gear horizontally or vertically!

This is pretty rare for snowboarding packs and we love that this pack is designed to do whichever you prefer.

Additionally, we love the fleece lined goggle pocket that is easily accessible.

This is nice for storing your goggles but also incredibly nice for easy and quick access for those ever changing conditions when out on the mountain. 

Cons:

It would be nice if this backpack came with outer mesh pockets for storing small items or water bottles so that you do not have to unzip your backpack every time you need something or want to store something.

👉🏼 Click here to get your Dakine Heli Pro 20L!

Abby skiing in Colorado with blue skies and plenty of snow.

8. Mammut Nirvana 18L – Best Snowboarding Backpack for Freeriding

Mammut is an excellent company that creates quality equipment, clothing, and gear for whether you would like to go trail running, mountaineering, snowboarding, or many other activities.

The Nirvana 18L backpack is one of the best backpacks for snowboarding and an excellent pack for those wanting to freeride or hit the slopes at the resorts.

Pros:

We love that this backpack is on the smaller end of the spectrum, making it an optimal size for freeriding, small ski tours, or hitting the slopes at one of the many ski resorts. 

Another feature that we love is its compactness and padding that was created to sit effortlessly on your back.

Additionally, we love that even though this backpack is on the smaller side… it still comes with a great system to carry your board or skis up the mountain so that you can hike up and enjoy that untouched terrain!

Cons:

We wish that this backpack came with mesh outer pockets to easily store or retrieve items without having to unzip the entire pack.

👉🏼 Be sure to grab your Mammut Nirvana 18L here!

Sam sitting on the ski slopes with his snowboarding backpack on.

9. Black Diamond Dawn Patrol  25L

Black Diamond is an excellent brand known for their incredible ski and snowboarding gear, equipment, and clothing.

The Black Diamond Dawn Patrol 25L is one of the best backpacks for snowboarding on the market because of its design and features.

Pros:

One feature that we love the most about this backpack is the oversized insulated shoulder pocket that goes great with a hydration system.

No one wants their water to freeze while out on the mountain and we love that this thoughtfully integrated shoulder system helps prevent this from happening!

Another small but mighty feature that we love is the zipper pocket with a key clip.

This is so nice for storing your car keys so that you don’t lose them and you don’t have to go searching for them after a long day on the slopes.

Additionally, we love the separate compartment for safety equipment.

It is always nice to be able to store your emergency gear in its own compartment so that you don’t have to dig through all your belongings to get to what you need. 

Furthermore, we love that you can pick from two different sizes of this backpack. You can pick from Small-Medium or Medium-Large.

This is super nice for smaller or bigger individuals so that you can pick your size preference. 

Cons:

As with many other snowboarding backpacks, we do wish that this backpack came with outer mesh pockets to store things. 

Another con is that we wish this backpack was a little easier to adjust the waist and the shoulder straps. 

👉🏼 Check out this link to get your very own Black Diamond Dawn Patrol 25L!

Sam snowboarding in Colorado with blue skies in the background.

10. Burton AK Dispatcher 18L – The Best Burton Snowboard Backpack 

Burton is another infamous snowboarding brand on the market that is known for making incredible gear, clothing, and equipment.

We love the AK Dispatcher 18L because of its compact size and versatility. 

Pros:

This backpack is 18L in size which is big enough to store your belongings and essentials but is not overly bulky or big.

Another feature that we love is the water resistant design which was created to keep snow from seeping in and making your belongings soggy and wet.

We love that this backpack is lightweight and has all the features that you need in a snowboarding backpack.

Cons:

Due to its small size, this backpack is very simplistic and is a “no-frills” option. Meaning, you get the essentials for a snowboarding backpack but there are not really any additional features or characteristics to rave about.

Additionally, we would love it if this pack came with a back panel access zipper to easily access your gear and equipment.

👉🏼 Grab your own Burton AK Dispatcher 18L today!

The ski slopes with the sun and snowy mountains in the distance.

11. Patagonia Snowdrifter 20L

Patagonia is one of the leading outdoor clothing and gear brands out there.

Whether you are trying to hit the trails on a hike, go for a swim, or ski down mountains… Patagonia is a brand you can trust.

When it comes to the Patagonia Snowdrifter 20L backpack there is no doubt that you are getting a carefully crafted product suited for the mountains and one of the best backpacks for snowboarding on the market. 

Pros:

We love that the Snowdrifter backpack comes in two different size options including a 20L and a 30L option. 

This backpack comes with a spacious main compartment to store your avalanche gear and extra layers.

Additionally, we love that this pack is made out of 100% recycled material which is excellent for our environment.

Cons:

The helmet carrying feature could be designed better. We love when our gear is stable and in place.

This is definitely a “no-frills” option and does not come with many extra features, compartments, or other notable characteristics. 

👉🏼 Click here to get your Patagonia Snowdrifter 20L backpack!

Abby and Sam skiing and snowboarding with friends.

12. Dakine Poacher 14L – Best Small Snowboard Backpack

For those looking for a smaller snowboarding backpack, the Dakine Poacher 14L is a great option for one of the best backpacks for snowboarding and for quick backcountry trips or for hitting the resort slopes.

Pros:

The small design is great for hitting the slopes at ski resorts.

It has just enough room to store equipment and safety tools as well as a few extra layers. 

We love that this backpack is compatible with a radio system and a hydration pack, these are always nice features to have when out on the mountain!

Cons:

This backpack could definitely use some extra storage options including mesh pockets and more zipper pouches to keep your things organized. 

👉🏼 Check out this link to get your Dakine Poacher 14L pack!

Ski slopes with a lodge at the top.

13. CamelBak SnoBlast Ski Hydration Pack – Best Hydration Pack for Snowboarding

As you have probably noticed by now, we are huge fans of the CamelBak brand.

Not only do they make some of the best backpacks for snowboarding but they make great gear for day hiking too!

This pack is very similar to the CamelBak PowderHound but this hydration pack stands out because of its large size and extra unique features. 

Pros:

Very similar to the CamelBak PowderHound we love the SnowShield Material, the straps made to hold your skis or snowboard during hikes, and that there is a hefty amount of storage space and a water reservoir. 

One of the biggest features that we love about the SnoBlast is the tri-zipper access.

This backpack was designed with unique zipper features so that you can unzip the bottom portion of your backpack to get the items that are all the way on the bottom.

This is super nice so that you don’t have to rummage through your entire backpack and pull every item out just to find your phone at the very bottom!

Another feature that we love is that it comes with an expansion panel.

Much like suitcases, this snowboarding backpack has an expandable portion so that you can fit even more into your backpack.

Cons:

Although the tri-zipper is a huge benefit, it does take some time to get used to and to get the tactic down for the best use. 

This bag was created larger and holds a significant amount of storage, however, it does only hold 2L of water similar to the PowderHound so we do wish that this could hold more water since it is designed to be bigger and does weigh a little bit more. 

👉🏼 Be sure to click here to get your CamelBak SnoBlast Ski Hydration Pack!

Snowy mountains in Colorado with blue skies above.

FAQs About The Best Backpacks For Snowboarding

Do I need a special backpack for snowboarding?

YES! There are several key features that you will want to look for when it comes to picking out your snowboarding backpack.

Two of the most essential characteristics is that your pack is built with insulation so that your water does not freeze and the other key feature is to make sure your snowboard backpack is waterproof.

What kind of backpack do you need for snowboarding?

As I described above, you will want to make sure that your snowboard backpack is insulated and is waterproof.

Above, is a curated list that we spent countless hours doing research to find the best snowboarding backpacks possible.

Some of our all time favorite snowboarding backpack brands are Jones, CamelBak, and North Face.

Do snowboarders wear backpacks?

Yes, snowboarders wear backpacks! It is so common to see snowboarders and skiers wearing backpacks on the slopes.

We love to wear our backpacks because it makes hydrating on the mountains easy and it gives us the opportunity to pack extra layers, hand warmers, snacks, and drinks too.

What size backpack is best for snowboarding?

The best size backpack for snowboarding really depends on what you plan on bringing with you, how long you plan on being on the mountain, and how tall you are.

We typically recommend 10L-35L depending on these factors.

Sam snowboarding in Colorado surrounded by fresh powder and trees.

Final Thoughts On The Best Backpacks For Snowboarding

We hope you enjoyed this article on the best backpacks for snowboarding!

We do countless hours of research to find the very best skiing and snowboarding products including ski boots for wide calves, goggles for night skiing, the best ski helmets with visors, and so much more so that you can get the best gear and have the most amazing time while on the slopes.

If you can’t decide which of the best backpacks for snowboarding that you should get, we recommend the CamelBak Powderhound 12 Snow Hydration Pack because of its waterproof technology, how easy it is to attach your board to the bag, its unique features, and handful of colors to pick from. Happy snowboarding!