5 Dakine Heli Pro Review

Reviewer: Richard Heaney, Bathgate   (19-4-2012)

A fantastic rucksack and one I've been wanting to purchase ever since I saw it on the slopes of Val D'Isere. It has everything I need. From a large storage area, fleece lined goggle storage and the ability to carry you board on your back!

It also looks awesome. What more can I say?

4 Dakine Heli Pro Review

Reviewer: jonathan lethbridge, London   (18-4-2012)

I purchased this bag not for skiing or boarding, but for commuting as I wanted a tough bag with a decent array of pockets, but that would withstand getting kicked and so on, and yet be comfortable and small in profile to wear on the tube and on buses without knocking people out. This satisfies all my requirements so far, being big enough and versatile enough to carry, variably, a laptop, an SLR camera, a load of shopping, or a coat just in case, and yet be slim-line enough to not notice I'm wearing it if I haven't stuffed it to the gills. For commuter use it has too many straps etc, but I knew that before I bought it. The fleece-lined pocket is excellent for sunglasses or headphones. It also appears to be shower-proof so far.

5 Dakine Heli Pro 20L Review

Reviewer: jack atkinson, stourpaine   (3-6-2011)

Great pack but not really enough room for a backcountry day, just not quite enough room for all the safety gear. Other than that its a super tough pack with a great snowboard holder that holds the board well.

5 Dakine Heli Pro 20L Review

Reviewer: Charles Moorhouse, Southerton   (2-11-2010)

Great pack, used it loads on the mountain all season, taking it to my next season too, and used it pretty much every day this summer working outdoors, not a single rip or damage has happened to it. Very tough!

5 Dakine Heli Pro 20L Review

Reviewer: fiona smalley, leeds   (7-10-2010)

Great pack - really good size and comfortable fit, pretty light too. Good range of colours. room for lunch/drink and extra layers and some basic equipment. Lined goggle pocket is nice. The front pocket is really large so if you get a compact shovel you can fit in the whole thing without having to take the handle of, which would save time in an emergency, and personally I don't like the handle of the shovel being outside the pack.

Straps were very long so considering cutting off excess material so they don't flap around so much but this is a minor point.

Only real negative is no horizontal carry strap for a board - the Heli pro DLX model has this feature but is quite a bit heavier so I stuck with this one.

5 Dakine Heli Pro 20L Review

Reviewer: andrew dines, Cheadle/Chamonix   (31-1-2010)

Pretty much the standard for off-piste day packs - look around your resort and you will see more Dakine packs than any other. The reason is that they are one of the most refined and best-value packs available.
Everything you need on a day pack is here and well thought out. A shovel pocket keeps your shovel separate from the main compartment and the shaft stashes nicely on the outside. Diagonal carry for skis is secure and stable as is the vertical board carry. Some may miss the horizontal carry though. Not sure how big you can go with your skis - my 106mm underfoot Gotamas are fine.
Camelback fits nicely in the pack and the pockets on the waist belt are handy for your mobile (make sure it's switched off when wearing transceiver), tissues, Grany bars, whatever.
These packs will last many seasons full-time skiing and it's the pack I use 9 days out of 10. You can just about manage a non-technical day tour or Vallee Blanche with a rando rope and your shoes in it.
If you are doing more technical/longer touring/backcountry days where you need a bit more gear i.e. crampons, half-rope, more food/water, change of clothes, climbing gear then you will need a slightly bigger pack. For all the other days this is as much volume and as many features as you need.