Less is More in a Ski Pack
It’s easy to be a backpack critic. Designing and building a backcountry ski pack that pleases everyone is difficult. There are countless priorities to consider, from volume to pockets and unique features to access style and materials. Design considerations make trying new packs an interesting project because it’s where you get to put design to the real-world test. The Arc’teryx Micon 32 ski pack is a great example.
On paper, the Micon 32 backpack is a straightforward, if somewhat minimalist, ski pack with a modest 32 liters of space. In person, it lives up to its minimalist design specs with a lightweight feel and few bells or whistles. In person, the Micon’s minimalist design offers a thoughtful balance of functional features that keep your gear organized and easy to access while maintaining an alpine minimalism aesthetic. Like most packs, it’s not going to please everyone, but its blend of clean design, thoughtful details and modest volume hit a sweet spot for experienced backcountry skiers who take a less-is-more approach to their gear.
The Arc’teryx Micon 32 ski pack is a lesson in a less is more approach.
The Micon 32 Ski Pack Checks All the Boxes
When it comes to backcountry ski packs, I have a short list of must-have features. Number one is a volume of 30-40 liters. Number two is a dedicated snow tools pocket. Number three is quick access to the main body, like side entry or back panel access. Number four is that it not be overbuilt. A day ski load is relatively light, and pack suspension should follow suit. The Micon 32 checks all four boxes.
Its minimalist design keeps it lightweight and low profile for its volume. It weighs 2 lb 4 oz / 1035 grams and maintains a narrow profile that fits snuggly while offering full mobility.
Pack Volume
Although pack volume specs rarely feel consistent across brands, the sweet spot for day touring is about 35 liters. More than 40 liters encourages packing too much. Less than 30 liters is a tight squeeze for a typical midwinter touring load.
The Micon’s 32-liter volume feels accurately measured and offers the space required for a full-day tour in cold temps, including an extra layer or two. Keeping with its minimalist approach, the pack has three distinct packing zones: the snow tools pocket, the main body and a single, reasonably sized goggles/accessory pocket.
Arc’teryx Micon 32 ski pack contents for a midwinter ski tour: warm puffy, midweight insulator, shell jacket, shovel, probe, saw, skins, thermos, water bottle, spare gloves, spare hat, radio, goggles, sunglasses, headlamp, repair kit, lunch container
Gear Access
The Micon is a top-loading pack featuring roll-top access. While a little cumbersome as a primary access point, the roll top lets you adjust the volume a few liters and creates a bomber seal against the elements. The roll top eliminates a traditional top lid, but the Micon 32 features a good-sized goggle pocket in front of it.
The Arc’teryx Micon 32 offers access via a roll top and two side zip access points, one for the snow tools and one for the main compartment.
My initial attraction to the Micon was its simple, uncluttered appearance. Arc’teryx keeps it clean by keeping access options simple. The main roll-top opening offers access to the body and the snow tool compartment. In addition to the roll-top, the pack features two side zip access points. One side zip opens into the snow tools zone and the second accesses the main body. While neither offers wide access, both are functional and offer quick entry to the essentials. During a week of touring, I rarely used the roll top in the field. Instead, finding the side zip entry offered the access needed to grab/store skins, a puffy or drinks and snacks.
Access via the side zip is a little cramped at times, but the design suits experienced skiers who keep layer changes and gear faffing to a minimum. The layout and access work best when the gear in the main body is organized with puffy, lunch etc, in small stuff sacks to help make things easy to find.
The snow tools pocket is isolated from the main body, keeping your shovel, probe, saw and snow study kit secure and out of the way unless needed.
Suspension
The Micon 32’s shoulder straps and waist belt are refreshingly lightweight. Unlike most packs where the waist belt is sewn into the side seams, the Micon’s waist belt is integrated into the back panel with a nice low-profile connection that creates a secure, form-fitting connection to the body. The shoulder straps feature a similar system. Combined with their thin but high-density foam and minimalist back panel pad, the suspension system conforms to the body nicely and offers all-day comfort.
Alpine Simplicity and Touring Efficiency
In the age of avalanche airbags, a traditional backcountry ski pack may be seen as old school. In defense of non-airbag ski packs, it’s important to understand airbags are no substitute for avalanche education or good decision-making and offer no guarantee of your safety. Airbag packs are a tool with a time and place.
The Arc’teryx Micon 32 ski pack is designed for skiers who favor a less-is-more approach to their gear. It maintains a low profile with efficient gear storage and access. The design borrows from alpine minimalism and adds just enough ski-specific features to satisfy experienced backcountry skiers who appreciate simplicity.
Arc’teryx Micon 32 Ski Pack $260 – check availability right from Arteryx
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