Deuter Freerider Pro 30 Vs. Osprey Kamber 32

Both of these packs have streamlined and athletic designs. They are ideal for backcountry skiers or snowboarders or people going out snowshoeing for a long day or just general winter weather activities.

Deuter Freerider Pro 30

Deuter Freerider Pro 30 is a pack that is made for skiers and snowboarders who want to carry gear for a long day trip. This pack comes with plenty of snow-specific features for pursuing powder in the backcountry on skis, a board, or snowshoes.

1. Design

This pack is designed as a skiing and snowboarding pack. There are multiple straps and lash points that allow you to attach your skis or your snowboard to the pack. It does have that streamlined design but there are tuck away straps hidden throughout the pack that will allow you to lash that gear.

2. Snow-specific Features

At the top, there are straps right under the chain portions. You can pull those out and it’ll allow you to lash a snowboard to the pack. You can also attach a snowboard right to the front vertically. There are durable buckles and flash cords to further secure your gear. There are also tuck-away straps at the bottom as well so you’ve got dual points of attachment.

On the sides, there are upper compression straps and lower loops, which allow you to create an A-frame ski carry on the pack. You can also use those straps on the front to create a diagonal ski carry and you’re certainly welcome to carry your skis vertically on the pack.

There’s a large goggle pocket at the top. It’s a scratch-free pocket at the top for goggles so you can store those there quickly and easily. The front pocket is slightly smaller. It’s got specific pockets inside of it for your Avalanche shovel, your Avalanche probes, and additional safety gear. It’s a convenient pocket with a variety of different storage options.

3. Access

You can access the pack right from the shoulder strap so you can lay the face of the pack into the snow or on the ground without worrying about those shoulder straps and that hip belt. Two zippers have a large U-shaped opening, you’ve got two snaps above the shoulder straps and it will allow you to get into that pack nice and easily. You can access your additional layers, your food, or any other items you may have inside. It’s also hydration compatible. There is a sleeve in the back panel there and you can hang a hydration reservoir. It’s not included and sold separately. But there’s a port at the top that will allow for the routing of a reservoir.

4. Other Features

The suspension system on this pack is really simple but it’s effective as well. On the back, you’ve got Deuter’s Alpine Suspension System. There is a light bit of framing in the pack so you do get some structure outside of that suspension system. But overall it is foam padding that creates the structure for the back panel. You’ve also got two vertical foam layers that elevate the pad off of the back and it creates a chimney through the metal. That’s going to allow for maximum ventilation.

There’s also a neat foam pad. It’s an insulating foam pad that’s inside the back panel and it can be removed. So, if you want a more flexible pack, a lighter weight pack, or if you just want to use that to lay on the ground to sit on it so your seat doesn’t get wet. You can take that pad out and use it as an accessory.

The shoulder straps are pretty lightweight but they are padded and they do have that mesh on the backside as well so they’re good for breathability. Down in the hip belt you’ve got Deuter’s VARI FLEX design. It is a lightweight but padded foam hip belt and it can flex individually from the pack so it allows for really good freedom of movement.

There are pockets on the front. The main pocket is under a durable storm flap zipper, which is the main access point. It’s the same access point you can get to from the back of the pack, which makes it convenient to get to that gear in multiple ways.

Osprey Kamber 32

Osprey Kamber 32 is designed for those backcountry skiers and snowboarders who want to put everything in their pack for an all-day tour. This is a very durable and reinforced pack that can withstand some abrasion. It is a very hefty pack and all of the points that are going to come in contact with a hard edge are reinforced. You get durable reinforcements throughout the entire pack that may experience more wear.

1. Design

This pack is built with a 420HD packcloth nylon material in the main body and the base of the pack. It is a very durable and hefty material that does shed some light water. However, keep in mind that it isn’t a waterproof pack. On the back, there’s a nice suspension system for those snowsports. A light wireframing that maintains structure and stability for loads of up to 30 pounds. Under that, there’s a nice thermoformed padded back panel and hip belt. That’s a smooth back panel, shoulder straps, and hip belt that’s going to allow for snow or ice to just run right off.

2. Snow-specific Features

There are some cool snow-specific features on this pack.

There are horizontal straps on the top and on the bottom that are going to allow you to attach a snowboard or attach skis to the pack. You’ve got multiple different options for lashing those items. If you needed to do a long climb or a technical, you can lash your skis or your snowboard right to the pack.

You do have a tuck-away helmet carry system right on this top flap. There’s a Velcro system that you can pop open and under that, there is a helmet carry system just kind of hidden away. It’s a nice stretchy bungee material where you can lash your helmet right under that so you don’t have to wear it all day long.

There’s also an ice ax attachment at the bottom and you can use the lash straps to keep that tied down.

You’ve also got a pocket at the top that is a scratch-free goggle pocket. It’s a pretty deep pocket and it’s got a soft brushed material in there. You can store your goggles there without them getting all scratched up.

There is a separate front pocket completely separated from the back pocket to keep your Avalanche tools. You can keep probes, shovels, or anything like that in this front pocket. There is even a little drain port on the bottom so if those items are wet, it’ll dump that water or moisture out to the bottom of the pack.

One last convenient feature I do want to mention is that all of those zipper pulls and buckles are glove-friendly. You can use the pack easily without having to take your gloves off. That adds a lot of convenience and ease of use to the overall design of the pack.

3. Access

The access point is closer to the back than it is to the front. To get to the main contents of the pack, the zipper is right next to the back panel. There are two buckles at the top that you can release and the zipper is easily accessed throughout that entire side. It goes all the way up and around. It’s a big U-shaped zipper and it allows you to open the pack kind of like luggage-style.

4. Other Features

There’s an insulated hydration routing right along the shoulder strap. There’s a pocket that goes along the right shoulder strap and it is fully insulated to route your hydration tube. For preventing that water from freezing up while you’re outdoors, you want to stay hydrated but your water can’t freeze.

You do have a minimally padded hip belt so again not made for substantial loads, 30 pounds is going to be the maximum comfortable weight that you can carry. There are some pockets on the hip belts for extra snacks or emergency supplies. This is convenient access to small pockets right on the hip belt.

Summary

Which one is right for you?

Both Freerider Pro and Kamber are great packs that are exclusively built for snowsports. They provide some great snow-specific features needed in the backcountry. In my opinion, the Osprey Kamber 32 has a slight edge over Freerider Pro because it’s lightweight and has more snow-specific features. It’s also slightly more durable than Freerider Pro and has a better gear capacity. If budget is not an issue, I’d suggest going for the Osprey Kamber 32 because it provides great value for money.