Poor Man's Heli

Dying tonight in our heatwave (RIP snow) and melting on the couch figured I’d snap a few pics of the Osprey Kode 38 that recently came into my possession. I’ve only got two days on the pack so want to hold off giving any real review yet as I’m still getting used to the Kode v. my tried and true Dakine and there’s an obvious adjustment period needed. A couple first impressions/early thoughts:

• The pack feels light. Not UL backpacker light, but feels lighter than my smaller Dakine. I don’t have a scale to verify whether I am/am not crazy.
• Avy tool pocket needs some sort of shovel/blade pocket to keep items from shifting. There’s a small stretchy part inside the tool pocket but it wouldn’t hold any blade I’m aware of.
• It’s not the quickest pack to access your non-avy gear as you’ve got to unbuckle two buckles before you can unzip the pack
• The above being said the pack carries well (in part due to those buckles/load lifter straps), especially with a board on it, and feels compact on your back

If there are any angles/measurements/etc. you’d like to see let me know in the comments section and I’ll get’er done. Also, if you have any questions you’d like me to address in testing I’ll do my best. On to the pics.

Front view. Pack is empty thus it looks a bit flat. Will get better pics when I drop a review.

Osprey Kode 38 front view

Back view

Osprey Kode and IKEA chair caught on film in hot steamy embrace

Back panel open. Threw a Downmat 7 in there to give some perspective to interior size.

Open up and say aaaaahhhh

Unlike the Kode 30 the avy tool pocket on the Kode 38 isn’t zippered.

Drawcord avy tool pocket closure

Interior shot of avy tool pocket

Osprey Kode chewing with it's mouth open (just like my co-workers...)

Nice zipper pulls

Pull my zipper

Buckles and load lifters

Osprey Kode buckles

If you can’t find it at your local outdoors shop the Osprey Kode is available at a few online retailers.

Moosejaw, 15% off if you use code ‘AVANT15′
Kode 22
Kode 30

Backcountry.com
Kode 30
Kode 38

Altrec.com
Kode 22
Kode 30
Kode 38

REI
REI.com
Kode 22
Kode 30
Kode 38

Moosejaw
Kode 22
Kode 30

So I’ve been shopping around (unsuccessfully) for a backcountry pack lately.  My criteria aren’t ridiculous – something in the 40-45L range (big enough for a 2 or 3 day tour, but small enough to use as a daypack once there), something with an external pocket (not just a sleeve/straps as if I go for a ride I’d like to know that my gear will still be with me to help find my partners) for my shovel/probe, and ability to carry my splitboard either split or joined – and quite frankly I’m willing to live with just the ability to carry it in ski mode.  The shopping has been far harder than I expected, there are a lot of near misses like the Osprey Exposure (no external pocket for avy tools), Marmot La Meije (found ‘em new locally, but online reviews seem mixed on their durability, also the large is on the small end of my desired spectrum), the Osprey Variant (same issue), The North Face Patrol 35 (just a bit small, the large version isn’t quite 40L) and the Millet Prolight Tour 38+7 (probably the lead horse but can’t find locally to try on, I’m tall and hard to fit).  However, somebody sent me some pictures of a new Osprey pack due to hit the market later this year, the Osprey Kode series.

The Kodes look like they’ll hit MOST of my criteria, with the exception of size, but I’m hopeful the large size of the Kode 38 will actually be in the low 40L range.  A few pics that were sent to me are below.

Osprey Kode 30

Externally accesssible avy tool pocket! Yes, this is exciting, and sadly not offered enough.

Stowable helmet carry system. Would work for ropes as well I'd imagine.

Osprey Kode 38 stuffed to the gills

Helmet/goggle/accessory carry system on Kode 38

*drools*

External avy tool pocket – check

Compression straps that look like they’ll carry a board – check

Size – near miss, but hopefully will be in the 40s in a large

Osprey, hello, if you’re reading these please-o-please-o-please send me one of these and we can be BFF.

UPDATE:

Found these pics on the Osprey blog, looks like it will DEFINITELY carry a snowboard. This needs to be available NOW!

Osprey Kode carries a board

Also found this video on Youtube.

UPDATE:
Osprey was kind enough to send a Kode my way for evaluation. You can check out my first impressions here.

If you can’t find it at your local outdoors shop the Osprey Kode is available at a few online retailers.

On sale for 15% off with code ‘AVANT15′ at Moosejaw
Moosejaw
Kode 22
Kode 30

Backcountry.com
Kode 30
Kode 38

Altrec.com
Kode 22
Kode 30
Kode 38

The Kode is on sale at REI for 20% off til Oct. 18th if you input code ‘FALLDEAL’ at checkout!
Kode 22
Kode 30
Kode 38

Moosejaw
Kode 22
Kode 30