The North Face Off Chute 26: Gear Review w/ vid

Thanks to Lyngen Lodge, where I tested this pack while touring. http://www.lyngenlodge.com/

I shoot a lot of video and carry a tripod so I rarely have the luxury of a small day pack. Of course the advent of the GoPro camera and much more sophisticated handheld camcorders, this is changing, which I'm all in favor of.  Nothing is worse than a heavy pack that inhibits your fun. So with the idea of regularly using a day pack for the first time in a long time I set off to test The North Face's Off Chute 26 pack. http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/sc-gear/off-chute-26-pack.html?parent_category_rn=&cm_vc=Search

I used this pack about 20 days this winter in all sorts of climates and situations: inbounds, in the slackcountry, sno'mo riding, for big spring touring days and for alpine climb big lines. I've also taken it to the climbing crag and as a business trip bag.

Overall rating 4.5 out of 5
There's a few things I wish it had but overall this is a pretty sweet pack. It's tough, looks good, feels good and does almost everything I want.

Durability: 5 out of 5
20 days and it still looks brand new. No tears in any fabric or seams and the zippers are bomber. Way tougher than some other trendy bag brands that fall apart in a week and cost the same amount.

Ease of Use: 4 out of 5
Stuffed my Dakine camera block in and it fit no problem. The only bad part for using it as a video pack is that you have to lay the back pad on the snow to get into it. My solution is to leave the big camera at home!

Specs:
Access Panel
Avg Weight 2 lbs 12 oz (1260 g)
Dimensions 21.5 in. x 13.5 in. x 11.5 in. (55 cm x 35 cm x 29 cm)
Fabric 315D Cordura® nylon auto-airbag fabric, 630D Ballistics nylon
Fit Range 17 in.-20 in. (43 cm-50 cm)
Stnd Volume 1650 in³ (27 liters)

Things I liked:
It's simple and simple is good. No unneeded junk.
Main storage area opens wide allowing for access to the bottom of the pack without spilling your junk.
Cloth sheaths for probe and shovel keep those tools in place.
Insulated hydration pocked on shoulder strap: worked like it should have
Helmet straps. I hate it when I see people hiking and their helmets are flopping all over. These straps help.

What Sets it Apart:
The ski and snowboard harness is pretty interesting. It features hooks instead of clips. I kinda liked it even though it takes a little getting used to. I ripped on the sideways ski harness system in general in the video but since I shot that I've done a couple big trips and i'm starting to get used to it. As long as you're boot backing without rocks near you, it's actually pretty good, and you don't bang your legs on your tails.


Stuff I wish it Had:
Gear loops on the waist. While gear loops are a climber centric feature, I think it would broaden the appeal of this pack for basic reason that a lot of big mountain skiers are climbers too. Gear loops are nice for carabiner activities and also work in great as ice axe sheaths. At the moment there is only 1 ice axe placement and if you're skiing steeps, you need two. Or you just take a BD Whipit. http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/ski/ski-poles/whippet-self-arrest-pole

Two zips on the small middle top pocket. This seems like such a small thing, but i've found myself reaching for this zipper almost every-time i use this pack. It's an annoyance to not have it there.

Slightly stiffer back pad. When it's weighted down the back can fold up.

But really, perhaps I'm asking it to be more than it is. I think my lifestyle is more geared towards a 30-32 liter pack.

This is an indepth 7:30 minute review of the gear