Backcountry ski packs are great. But there are some instances in which they鈥檙e overkill, like when you鈥檙e just ducking outside of the resort for a quick sidecountry lap. That鈥檚 why we鈥檙e looking forward to testing out Dakine’s new Utility Vest, available fall 2013. It has seven pockets specifically designed to carry all your snow and safety tools (shovel, probe, skins, etc.) We loved that you don鈥檛 have to take this vest off when you get on a lift鈥攅ven when it鈥檚 fully loaded. The diagonal ski carry in the back was highly adjustable, easy to figure out, and robust. While this isn鈥檛 the first vest that can carry backcountry gear, it is the lightest one we鈥檝e yet seen and the first that carries everything in fully enclosed pockets.
