Patagonia Launches Adaptable, Lightweight, Snow-Shedding Pack: PowSlayer Ski Backpack Review

I waited above the powdery roller while several snowboarders and skiers in my crew dropped one by one down the short, open pitch. Each rider ollied, popping a few feet above the fresh snow before falling out of view. Our group of testers met in Silverton, Colo., to grind vertically in Patagonia’s new head-to-toe kit, which included one of my favorite pieces — the PowSlayer ski backpack.

While ski touring and descending north-facing slopes, we’d found a powder stash in the pines.

“That looks like fun!” I thought before coaxing my board forward toward the untouched slope. But once airborne, I realized a tragic miscalculation amid my powder fever. I should’ve stacked my line to the left. As it was, I landed in a gigantic hole, caught my nose, and tomahawked.

The good news? My PowSlayer pack quickly and easily shed the heavy snow. The back panel is made with material that doesn’t hold sticky snow, and that dries quickly — one of the many meticulous details that the design squad added to this bag.

In short: Streamlined and comfortable for full-day ski tours, the 30L Patagonia PowSlayer Pack ($249) is new for 2025-26 and launches in October. It replaces the SnowDrifter pack and is loaded with detailed upgrades. The most noteworthy elements include an array of pockets and an adaptable helmet carry. The pack also has every type of strap configuration for carrying skis or a snowboard including diagonal, A-frame, and vertical. Offered in a single 30L volume across three sizes (small, medium, large), the pack will be available in two colors: black or Barnacle Blue, the color that I tested and photographed.

Read the full lineup of ski pack options in the Best Ski Backpacks buyer’s guide.

Patagonia PowSlayer Ski Backpack: Testing Conditions

For a few days in March, I joined a group of experts in Silverton, Colo., to test Patagonia’s newest innovation for winter shredders: The PowSlayer kit, including the PowSlayer Pack. The crew included outdoor industry media, apparel designers, and athletes from around North America.

First, I tested the PowSlayer kit at Silverton Mountain, booting along ridgelines with a snowboard strapped to the pack. The day entailed 2,400 vertical feet and 10 miles. The conditions were warm, ranging from 20 to 40 degrees sans wind, and mostly sunny. Pleasant weather persisted the next day while ski touring 2,000 vertical feet and 3.7 miles outside of town.

A couple of days later, I wore the PowSlayer Pack on a ski tour in Colorado’s Elk Mountains, climbing 3,000 feet and covering 5.5 miles in a blustery, frigid snowstorm. I also chose this pack for a sunny spring day of backcountry cat skiing, which totaled more than 6,600 feet and 16.2 miles. Altogether, this initial field time covered more than 16 hours.

PowSlayer Pack: An Integrated Kit Design

While in Silverton, I learned that developing a ski pack alongside the apparel helped the designers place the straps — for the chest, shoulders, and hip — in a way that doesn’t interfere. This means the pack doesn’t block pockets, zippers, or adjustment straps when a skier is decked out and on the go.

It’s not often that a brand releases an intentionally integrated collection. In addition to the pack, every item in the lineup — the base layers, midlayer, outer layers, and insulation pieces — is likewise designed to fit seamlessly and work together. Simple yet impactful, the attention to detail ranges from the stacked cuffs and hoods to the insulation and pockets.

It’s been 8 years since this freeride ski and snowboard kit was last revamped, and this is the fourth iteration, confirmed Senior Product Line Manager Eric Wallis.

Variety of Pockets

One of the standout details of the PowSlayer Pack? Its useful pockets.

I appreciate it when a ski pack has two sizable hip belt pockets. I prefer versatility and ease of use over minuscule weight savings. While these two pouches aren’t spacious enough for a large phone, they can fit a pile of snacks, cosmetics, and smaller tools.

The top pocket, aka the brain, is roomier than most. This cap was upgraded from the SnowDrifter pack.

Inside, the snow-tool compartment — likewise accessed via a top zipper — is roomy. Three dedicated columns are on the interior sleeve. It was pretty easy to fit my shovel handle, blade, probe, and snow saw inside.

Against the interior back panel is a sleeve for stuffing loose soft goods like mittens or keeping a hydration reservoir. But there’s no port for routing a hose to the exterior. This is a negative for those who may want to use a water bladder, a small group for a product meant to be used in below-freezing conditions. A small pocket with a zip closure hangs from the top of the back panel, too.

Adaptable Carry Systems

The PowSlayer Pack is built with nearly every type of carry configuration for a snowboard, splitboard, or skis. The only option missing is a horizontal snowboard carry.

You can mount skis or splitboard skis in an A-frame or diagonal style. When I was booting up steep, rocky ridges at Silverton Mountain, I was happy to have a vertical snowboard carry. That way, I could enjoy a snowboard (versus a splitboard) on the zone’s steep runs and across variable snow.

Another detail worth spotlighting is the adjustable helmet carry. The mesh hammock is flippable and attaches to the top or front of the pack. I was able to carry my helmet on the pack’s crown when my snowboard was vertically strapped. When I was ski touring, I attached my ski helmet to the front of the pack.

The side compression straps can also be used to carry three-piece splitboard poles. Supporting a clean operation, the straps also tuck nicely into garages.

Thoughtful Space, Back Panel, Carry Loop

The updated back panel is streamlined, lightweight, and has a lean cushion. The pack’s overall shape supports an efficient range of movement. The shoulder straps and hipbelt carry weight well and are fairly comfortable.

I found that the material used for the back panel made a big difference in my experience because snow wouldn’t stick to it. As someone who sweats on the skintrack, I also liked that the material quickly dried.

I love the large fixed carry loop at the top of the pack. I could easily grab the pack to load it into the truck bed or when I was loading the lift at Silverton Mountain. There are two more large fixed loops in front of the dual hip belt pockets, which is a nice utilitarian touch.

With a boxier silhouette, I found that the pack easily expanded — especially in the bottom corners — and could fit a rather large volume of gear.

Critiques

The most noteworthy critique I have is that the two zippers on the back panel were a bit sluggish to open when the temps sat between 10 and 20 degrees, especially when it was windy and snowy. Otherwise, the beefy zips were easy to open and close.

Also, I wouldn’t describe this pack as having an articulated back panel nor does it offer lumbar support or very much cushion. Field professionals or riders who need to carry a heavy load might notice the lack of support, especially if they tend to have shoulder or back pain.

While the back panel is made with material that dries quickly, the back panel is not suspended off the back. Ski tourers who tend to sweat might prefer a different back panel design.

Other riders might not like being pigeonholed into accessing the primary compartment from the back. Typically, I needed to lay the pack down in the snow to unzip the panel. On deeper days, snow would get stuffed around my helmet.

Patagonia PowSlayer Pack: Who It’s For

The Patagonia PowSlayer is a full redesign of the SnowDrifter, and it’s loaded with thoughtful design details. With a 30Lr volume, this pack is great for full-day ski tours.

This touring pack can fit food, water, rescue, and safety equipment, including a beacon, shovel, and probe. It can also fit a snow saw, radio, bivy, medical kit, and more. I enjoyed using this pack for bootpacking at Silverton Mountain. I also liked this pack for longer, more remote backcountry tours.

For me, the list of standout features of this ski and snowboard pack is long. I really dug the adaptable helmet carry and dual hip belt pockets. I liked the large top pocket, spacious fixed carry loops, as well as the various carry straps for skis or a solid snowboard.

Ultimately, the PowSlayer is light, comfortable, ergonomic, and efficient to use. Unless you’re a professional that needs an even roomier pack or you prefer a super cushioned ski pack, don’t overlook the Patagonia PowSlayer as your everyday driver for backcountry tours.