Klim built the Aspect 16L around the Alpride E2 electronic airbag system for one reason: sleds are hard on gear. It's a tough, snowmobile-specific pack with an ergonomic harness, and the E2 is smaller, lighter, and inflates a larger bag than the older E1 system. An airbag helps keep you near the surface of a moving avalanche, which lowers your risk of burial. It's not a substitute for your beacon, probe, and shovel, but it's a big step toward getting home.
SPECS
- Alpride E2 airbag system, supercapacitor-powered radial compressor
- Total weight: 2,990 g (6.59 lbs), E2 system: 1,140 g
- Airbag volume: 162 L
- Pack volume: 16 L
- Dimensions: 8.5 x 10 x 19 in (21.6 x 25.4 x 48.3 cm)
- Ambidextrous mechanical trigger, externally accessible deflation release
- Deploys even while lying on your back
- Supercapacitor not affected by cold temperatures
- Automatic pressure relief valve deflates the bag after 3 minutes
- USB-C recharge in 20 minutes, or 2x AA batteries in 40 minutes
- LCD screen shows supercapacitor and AA battery levels, plus auto-test and LED indicators
- No canister or Li-ion battery, so no flight restrictions
- 360 degree waist webbing with metal buckle, adjustable waist and stashable leg strap
- NAC Pak inspired chest harness with breathable pads
- Color-coded zippers for the avy gear compartment, with drain
- External shovel blade storage, internal shovel handle and probe storage
- Radio pocket with mic routing, plus front harness loops for radio mic and pull handle
- Includes moisture-resistant tool pack with external attachment
- Molded goggle pocket with removable chamois
- Organization pocket, compression straps, full zipper opening
- Molded back panel holds its shape
- 3M Scotchlite reflective material, emergency whistle, internal key clip, YKK heavy-duty zippers
- S.O.S. label with emergency instructions
BUYERS' GUIDE
The big win with the E2 is travel. With no gas canister and no lithium battery, you can fly with it, no cartridge refills or airline headaches before a sledding trip. The charging is flexible too, USB-C is fast at home, but the AA option is the one worth knowing about. If your charge runs low in the backcountry, a couple of spare AAs in your pocket get you back to full in about 40 minutes.
Check the LCD screen before every ride, not just at the start of the season. Use the leg strap too. It stashes away when you're not using it, but it's what keeps the pack on your body if you actually need the airbag to work. And since this is built for sleds, the radio mic routing and goggle pocket are real quality-of-life features if you ride in a group.
