There is a good reason why across the body bags have became so popular for men. Aside from being extremely convenient, they also provide a stylish solution for carrying everyday essentials.
The problem is that too many of these across the body bags resemble women's purses a bit too much.
Luckily, we have developed three different men's cross body bags designed specifically for a more functional and masculine look. Each cross body bag provides a unique set of features allowing us to offer a cross body bag for any activity.
Let's dig into the specifics of each cross body bag so you can make a decision based on your individual needs.
The Chest Bag by West Slope is our newest cross body bag. This bag is the most versatile when it comes to how it's used. While our other cross body bags are best to use when engaged in an outdoor activity such as skiing or hiking, the Chest Bag can be used for just about anything, including everyday use.
With a little over 1L of storage space, the Chest Bag works best when you need to store only your essentials. For example, your phone, earbuds, and wallet. The Chest Bag can fit any phone, and even the bulkiest of phone cases.
This cross body bag is also great when you're engaged in an activity such as training, running, or hiking. Because it's very slimline and holds snug to your body, you don't have to worry about it moving around and hindering your performance.
It's also a great pack to wear at the airport or while traveling for easy access to your travel essentials.
The PRO-180X Chest Pack was the first pack we developed, and it sold out quickly! The PRO-180X is a cross body bag first developed as a way to carry more gear while engaging in adventure sports such as skiing, mountain biking, motorcycle, snowmobiling, etc.
The PRO-180X is also our most spacious pack, with just over 6L of storage space. It's large enough to hold an entire lunch, without getting in the way of what you're doing.
This pack still remains our most popular pack, and for good reason. It's extremely versatile, rugged, and stylish.
The PRO-180X was initially developed for action sports, namely, skiing and mountain biking. However, as the design of the cross body bag has evolved, customers have expanded how they use the pack.
One of the reasons the PRO-180X works so well for skiing is because it's comfortable on the ski lift. Traditional backpacks are difficult to wear while skiing because you have to lean forward on the lift.
This bag also makes a great pack for biking because of how convenient having everything front loaded can be. It's difficult to stop an activity and dig through a backpack. This pack solves that problem.
Ultimately, we developed the PRO-180X to use for any sport or activity where a front pack design is useful.
The PRO-180 Slim was designed for those who are engaged in activities where a slim, lightweight bag is needed for performance and comfort. A great example would be trail running. The great thing about the PRO-180 Slim is that it provides enough storage space for your essentials without hindering your performance.
In addition, it provides about the most convenient way to across your phone out of any packs we know.
We recommend you use the PRO-180 Slim whenever you need a relatively lightweight pack that won't negatively affect your ability to perform an activity such as running.
It's also great when you simply don't need to carry very much gear with you. For example, it works great on a short bike ride.
When you are choosing a cross body bag, you should consider the primary instances in which you will be using the bag. For example, if you're looking for a bag for everyday use, the Chest Bag is your best bet.
On the other hand, if you're going to be engaging in an activity such as skiing or biking, the PRO-180X is probably the best choice because it's suited for all-day use.
Lastly, if you need a slightly smaller cross body bag, the PRO-180 Slim is probably your best bet.
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Steamboat Springs, Colorado is heralded as “Ski Town, USA” due to Steamboat Resort’s 2965 acres of runs containing everything under the sun, from trees to chutes, all filled with the magical valley’s copious amounts of Champagne Powder ™. Any adventure seeker, whether a first time skier or a seasoned ski bum, is sure to have an amazing day on the resort under Colorado’s bluebird sky. But with so much fun terrain to explore, it can be hard to know where to begin. For this reason, we designed a list of “bests” in order to help shape your Steamboat experience.
At first glance, one might think that all groomers are created equal. But this is not the case. What makes a great groomer, you might ask? Ski down High Noon, off of Sunshine or Sundown Lift, and you will have your answer. This run angles at a perfect pitch, not too steep and not too flat, and it is as smooth as butter. No matter the time of day, you can always cruise down this run and expect to be able to carve sweet S-turns. The best part? Big rollers act as fun “whoop de doos” for more advanced skiers, and help slow down more beginner skiers.
If you’re looking to take your mini-shredder or a newbie to try their hand at some trees, then look no further. Olympic Trees are low angle, gladed aspen trees with small rollers and lots of space: perfect for anyone who wants to see what tree skiing is like but doesn’t want to smack into one. Plus, these trees have an added surprise: informative, fun signs that highlight major Olympians who have come from Steamboat. What better way to inspire your little ripper? In order to get there, start skiing down High Noon and then immediately cut skiers left toward Flintlock. You’ll see a grouping of aspen directly in front of you, with a sign that highlights Steamboat’s olympians.
When people ask me what makes Steamboat Resort different from other Colorado resorts, I tell them it has the best tree skiing I’ve ever experienced. On a powder day, nothing can compare to an early morning run down Closets (off of Storm Peak Express, take the cat track skiers left and then drop down into the trees on the right). This gladed mix of aspen and pine are perfectly spaced and perfectly angled for some hero turns. Get ready for really sustained, rhythmic tree skiing. If you're lucky, you’ll hit it on a bluebird day after a storm, and the trees will be “ghosted”, meaning they are covered in frozen snow crystals. Talk about winter wonderland!
Vertigo will destroy any shaky skier and put any advanced skier to the ultimate mogul test. If you like bumps, this is the run for you. It may be tempting to escape the crowds and cut off of Heavenly Daze at the end of the day to zoom down Vertigo. But be warned: you should only send it down this run after a full day of skiing if you have legs of steel. Bonus points to those who can do Vertigo from top to bottom.
Beginners who are ready to get away from the front side of the mountain can head over to Sundown lift, where they will find solace in Sundial to Tomahawk. This easy sequence of runs is perfect for little kiddos and novices who are linking turns, transitioning from pizza to french fry, and can stop on a dime (or at least, can stop by falling over). Pro tip: take these runs right before lunch, then hop on South Peak lift at the bottom to get to Rendezvous Lodge, where a delicious chili bowl lunch awaits.
Right to the skier’s right of Storm Peak Express Lift is the most classic run of Steamboat Resort. Named after famous olympian Buddy Werner, Buddy’s Run is a long and sustained blue, groomed on the right and bumpy on the left. You can’t ski Steamboat without getting on Buddy’s. As you approach the top of the run, be sure to do as the locals do and tap the statue of Buddy’s head for good luck.
Head to North St. Pat’s if you are a double black skier looking to get sendy. This hike to terrain off of the top of Morningside Lift gets skied far less than the rest of the resort, so you can still find powder stashes days after a storm. Plus, there are plenty of steeps and huge rocks to throw your body off of, if you so dare.
Speaking of powder, if you are on the hunt, Hot Cakes has got you covered. It takes multiple lifts to get to this run, so it rarely gets skied. If you find yourself on the top of Sunshine or Sundown lift, take the cat track towards Morningside and cut off skier’s left onto Hot Cakes. A local favorite, this short run is full of little jumps, rollers, and tons of untouched snow. Remember to save some for the rest of us!
Skiers discuss many controversial topics, such as whether Pit Vipers are pretentious or awesome, where the best powder stashes are, and which chair lift will get you to the top quickest.
Recently, another point of contention has offered its hat into the ring: whether or not you should wear a backpack on a ski lift.
The most obvious benefit to wearing a backpack while skiing is that you can store your essentials (and maybe a few non-essentials) for the day.
If you are headed out for a full day of skiing, you are going to need a water bottle, an extra layer, a snack, your lunch, your wallet, phone, and some space to store your layers in case it warms up.
We have all had days where we don’t bring a backpack: you find yourself stopping at a lodge three times to get water, and you end up buying a Snickers, hot chocolate, chili, and pizza. And it all only cost you $76 and you just waited in line for 45 minutes. No biggie.
But instead, if you do bring a backpack, you end up staying hydrated, get in way more skiing time, and you spend way less money. At this point, a backpack is sounding essential, yes?
However, there is a huge, dangerous downside to wearing a backpack while skiing. So much so that some ski resorts have made policies around wearing backpacks on lifts.
You see, backpacks can get caught on chairlifts, whether through a loose or dangling strap, or it getting wedged into the seat somehow.
This is a problem because if a backpack gets caught and a person is attached to it, they can end up being pulled by the chairlift, get dangled by their attached straps, or even fall from a great height to the ground.
In fact, in the last few years, this problem has become seemingly more prevalent. In 2017, a man at Arapahoe Basin nearly died by being hung from a chairlift by his caught backpack.
That same year, two young children at Sundance Mountain Resort dangled from chairlifts by backpacks within three weeks of each other. These terrifying accidents have even led to death: a 14 year old boy was strangled by his pack in Chatel, France.
These instances alone are enough to scare someone away from wearing a pack on a lift.
Fortunately, there are a few easy fixes to have the best of both worlds: you can wear a backpack and stay safe, as long as you do one of the following:
This easy fix can keep your backpack from getting caught easily, and even if it does get caught, you can just let go and you won’t get stuck on the lift with it.
Plus, wearing a backpack on a lift can be uncomfortable, as it often pushes people closer than they prefer to the edge of the seat. It’s an all around win!
Make sure you fully unbuckle all of the straps and take the backpack off, or else this method won’t work effectively.
Backpacks that are designed for front country skiing have minimal straps on them and fit sleekly on your body, so as not to get caught. For this we recommend the PRO-180X Chest Pack, a pack we designed specifically to solve this problem.
]]>Do you like to have a water bottle with you while you hit the ski resort? Are you a new backcountry skier? Do you send it up Mt. Adams on the reg? Then you’ve probably come to the realization that ski backpacks are not like other backpacks. They contain features and compartments that are specifically designed to make your ski day as seamless as possible, whether you are wrapping up your last run at noon to hit up an early happy hour, or getting up at 2 a.m. to summit a peak. Since not all ski backpacks are created equal, we have created this guide to help you figure out which one is right for you.
What makes a ski backpack different from a backpacking backpack, a hiking backpack, a book backpack, or any other type of bag you can conjure up? The following aspects distinguish a ski backpack, making it special.
The most important three things you need in the backcountry are–no, not sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen, mom!– your beacon, shovel, and probe. (If you don’t know what this is, please don’t go out into the backcountry. Take an Avi 1 class, first.) Of course, your beacon is stored on your person, on top of your base layer of clothing, but where to put the other two items? Ski backpacks contain a front compartment that is specifically for your avi gear, and good ski backpacks will have small, accessible slots for the shovel and probe within the compartment, not to mention an easy access zipper system so that no time is wasted in an emergency situation.
If you don’t have a backcountry set up or you are looking to get into mountaineering, you will need a backpack that has options to securely strap your board and skis to the outside. No one wants to trek up a mountain, only to look behind them and see their ski sliding down the slope behind them because it wasn’t properly attached to their pack.
You are going to be putting a lot of gear in this bag (think: water, food, layers, sunscreen, helmet, goggles, gloves, etc), so you’re going to want hips straps that are sturdy enough to transfer the weight from your shoulders to your hips. This will keep you balanced and reduce back pain.
It’s OK to admit it- even the best skiers have forgotten to zip up their backpack, only to find it filled with fluffy flakes 30 minutes later. If you’re lucky, your body heat won’t have begun to melt the snow, causing your belongings to get wet. If you’re not so lucky, you better hope that your pack at least has a waterproof/resistant pocket to protect your valuables, like your phone, keys, and anything else you don’t want the snow to affect.
Are you a smart backcountry skier or rider? Then you know that they should bring a helmet into the backcountry. No, there aren’t Jerrys zooming down the hill at 90 MPH, threatening to crash into you at any moment. However, there are still those big obstacles we call trees, steep slopes, variable conditions, and not to mention hidden rocks and fallen trees. Therefore, you should plan on wearing your helmet. The only problem is that helmets are pretty big (due to their substantial padding to protect your noggin), and they don’t normally fit well in a standard backpack when all of your other gear is packed in there. Therefore, most ski backpacks will have a helmet holder–sort of a mesh cover that you can attach to the outside of your pack– in order to secure your helmet on the uphill so you aren’t sweating bullets. It’s secure, easy, and leaves a lot of extra room in your pack.
Many people may not realize this, but there are lots of different types of skiers, and therefore there are lots of different types of backpacks. If you don’t know what type of skier you are, figure it out and then use these guidelines to find the right backpack for you. (You can even use the checklist to make sure the pack your checking out has all of the necessary components).
When skiing, it's just you, the mountain and your gear - and the days of packing light are over.
In recent decades, ski areas have expanded into massive winter playgrounds where the race for powder is tight and having to run back to the car or locker room puts you out of the game. For example, if you're in Blue Sky Basin at Vail your car is 7 miles away.
So rather than skiing down and riding the bus out to the free parking lot to get lunch, the modern powder hound carries everything they need. And in the backcountry being prepared is even more essential, since there's no ski patrol to come to your rescue.
From a ski bum who averages 100 days skiing each winter, here is your guide to packing for a day of winter bliss in the mountains.
I'm amazed how often I see a dehydrated skier eating snow to ease their thirst. It only makes you colder and could contain all types of things to make you sick. And being at high altitude only makes the dehydration worse.
My preference is a 2-liter Camelback with a cover for the hose and a zipper pocket to protect it from the elements. But on the coldest days, the best protection won't keep it from freezing, so drink early and often, every break, every chairlift ride, then blow into the hose. You can also put the pack under your jacket to keep it from freezing - as long as you don't mind looking like a hunchback.
Everyone has their own method of hydration. For example, one snowboarder I know carries a tiny cough syrup bottle with water and drinks a sip at a time.
You burn around 500 calories an hour skiing, and much more if you're hiking above the lifts or skinning in the backcountry. Your stomach doesn't care if it's dumping snow and the skiing is too good to stop. It needs fuel.
Some skiers go into the lodge and spend $20 on a hot lunch. I prefer snacking on the lifts and carrying a flatbread sandwich to munch on with a mid-afternoon beer (flatbread because I usually crush the sandwich.) If the mountain is crowded I'll ski through the lunch hour since that's when the lifts aren't.
Of course, if it's snowing you won't need it, but if it's a bluebird day it's absolutely essential to protect skin from the sun at high altitude. Besides, your boss will know you played hooky to ski if you have a ski goggle tan.
Noses run in the cold. It's a scientific fact.
Lips get chapped in the cold. It's a scientific fact.
All but the most remote ski areas have phone service, and many have wifi. So whether it's for meeting up with your friends, posting photos to Instagram or calling ski patrol in an emergency, I consider a phone essential gear. I also carry a charging cord on the cold days.
When the wind is howling and the snow is blowing sideways and you've been stuck on the lift for 15 minutes, even the hardiest skiers get cold. On days like these I carry peel-off hand warmers. Expert tip: put your phone in a pocket with one to keep it from freezing up. It also works for a lighter if you enjoy a certain herbal remedy while skiing.
The $7 is for a beer, the ID is in case they card you (or need to identify your frozen corpse) and the insurance card is in case you survive the fall hurt and need an ambulance.
Many skiers prefer a flask of liquor because it's more lightweight, not to mention stronger, but I like a crisp PBR to enjoy when I hop on for a 10-minute lift ride.
Many goggles today have interchangeable lenses, one for the sunny days and one for when it's so nasty you can't see the next chair on the lift. If I think the weather might change I carry both, but when in doubt I start with the low-light lens.
While avalanches in-bounds are rare, since ski patrol conducts avalanche mitigation, out in the backcountry it's the real deal. A beacon will help other skiers find you if you get buried and vice-versa.
A collapsible probe is used to feel beneath the snow for a buried skier.
A buried skier only has about 10 minutes before asphyxiation, so a shovel is key to a faster rescue.
You'll be sweating on the uphill so it's a good idea swap out your sweat-drenched under layer once you're done.
You really really don't want to get lost in the winter backcountry as the sun is setting.
In case things go wrong and it's dark.
In case things go wrong and you need to start a fire.
And there you have it. Just remember to always put your pack on your lap while riding the lift. The annals of ski history are full of skiers whose packs and straps got snagged on the lift and have been hung or dragged. Plus, it's the only way to get to your lift beer.