An avalanche probe, a shovel, an extra pair of gloves, spare goggles, a tow rope, fire starter, snacks, water, a GPS, a cellphone, a camera and a tripod—that’s what I carry in my snowmobile backpack for day trips into the mountains.
I used to jam it all into an itty bitty pack and the item I wanted was always buried at the bottom. Digging through it gave me a headache—and would waste precious time in the event that I had to retrieve my avalanche probe and shovel in a hurry. That was before MotorFist sent me the company’s new Cornice Backpack for testing. Before I even tried it on, it was easy to see this pack was made for snowmobilers.
Designed by Ogio International, the MotorFist Cornice Backpack features a snow science tool organizer panel for hauling hand tools, a fleece-lined pocket for goggles and an internal and external pocket for a shovel and probe. The main compartment is spacious and there is a cinch cord to keep your gear from bouncing around. Vertical pockets on the sides of the pack add more options for gear storage and the pack can accommodate a HydraPak hydration system as well.
I’ve been riding with the Cornice Backpack for about a month and a half and I’m happy with it. My gear stays dry, even when it’s snowing. If I were planning a longer journey, there is room to carry more gear, and the adjustable shoulder straps and waist belt allow me to shift the weight around to what feels comfortable. The soft padded back keeps gear in my pack from digging into me while I’m riding. The Cornice Backpack is not a women’s-specific backpack, however, and because there are subtle differences between a man's and a woman’s physique, I would suggest trying on the pack before you buy it, especially if you are a petite woman.
