Review: Patagonia Descensionist 40 L

Specs

Available Sizes: S, M, L

Stated Volume: 40 liters

Stated Weight: 1460 grams

The Patagonia Descensionist 40L will be available soon.

Size/Fit

Patagonia offers the new Descensionist as a 40L-only pack in three torso sizes: S, M, L. That should cover the bases for most skiers. I tested the M size, and it fit my 6’0” frame well. The pack falls into the tall and skinny category of packs, something I prefer as it lets me move freely while skiing, skinning, and booting with skis attached to the outside of the pack. It sits very centered on my back, so I didn’t have issues with the back of my head or helmet hitting the top on steep bootpacks, nor did I have issues with elbow contact on the sides.

Inside, the pack has a minimalist and removable frame including a plastic back panel and thin foam pad. Even when the pack was filled to brim, I didn’t have issues with feeling what was inside along my spine - a common issue with other lightweight packs. The backpack straps and hip belt are easily adjustable and feature adjustable load lifters to customize the fit.

Features and Pockets

The Patagonia Descensionist 40L features a single, large main compartment plus a separate avalanche safety tool pocket up front, accessible through its own zipper. The right side of the main compartment has a long vertical zipper, while the top has a drawstring closure and a foldover panel with a medium-sized accessory/goggle pocket. Inside, there’s a small zippered pocket on a sewn flap near the top for keys or other valuables.

Both sides of the hip belt have zippered pockets for stashing stuff like snacks, a headlamp, or small tools. There are no gear loops sewn to the hip belt like the older versions of the pack had.

The pack features two compression straps on either side, which can double as ski carry straps for vertical or A-frame carrying. Alternatively, it’s possible to carry skis diagonally with either two Voile straps attached to the sewn loops on the front panel, or using the included removable diagonal carry bottom loop and a single ski strap. I typically opted for the diagonal carry with two ski straps as it felt the most secure and comfortable - the included loop was a bit long for most skis and led to them dangling too loosely.

Included with the pack is a mesh helmet carry system, which can attach to the outside in various spots, depending on your liking. This works really well and can accommodate any size helmet.

Inside, the removable foam back panel can be used when building a rescue sled or as added padding 

Finally, the pack features an external ice ax carry loop, unfortunately with no good way to functionally carry an ice ax. I tried every which way to get this to work, even fashioning some homemade carrying loops - all to no avail. Luckily, the avalanche safety tool pocket is big enough to carry two small mountaineering tools like a Petzl Gully, but good luck trying to carry anything bigger.

In Use

I was really excited to put the updated Patagonia Descensionist 40L to the test, as the older 32L version of the pack easily has been my favorite ski pack of all time. It’s accompanied me on nearly every ski mission over the past four seasons, including multi-day trips in Europe, technical ski mountaineering in the Tetons, Alaska and the Cascades, and on everyday powder skiing missions close to home. I’ve used the 40L version of the older pack plenty too, but found the 32 to be big enough for most days. To me, it was pack that I never had to think about - it was really comfortable, had all the right features, didn’t look silly, and was durable enough to hold up to some serious abuse.

The use case for the new 40L pack seems to not have changed - it’s a pack built specifically for skiing in the backcountry that doesn't lean too far into any of the extremes. At a claimed weight of 1460 g, it’s not super-duper-ultralight, but it’s certainly no behemoth - the new one is actually a few grams heavier than the older one. This one falls into the same category of do-it-all tech packs like the Raide Research LF 40, Ortovox Peak Light 38 S, or the BCA Stash UL. 

This winter and spring, I took the new pack out on some of my favorite ski missions around home, including technical lines, powder skiing, and as a travel pack for a quick ski trip to Canada. It certainly held up to the test, but I found a few things were lacking and might need some improvement.

Overall, I was impressed with the comfort and style of the pack. The relatively stiff fabric holds its shape, even when mostly empty and doesn’t produce the dreaded backpack sag - when a partially empty pack starts flopping around lazily on your back while skiing. I wouldn’t call the pack waterproof, but even on big storm days, I never had an issue with stuff getting wet inside.

I’m a strong believer in having a separate avalanche safety tool pocket, and the very large pocket on the Descensionist 40L is easily accessible and really functional. Finally, I’m also a huge fan of the side-access zipper, which makes it possible to access stuff like a helmet, a rope, or even your water and snacks really easily (often without even taking off your pack).

What compromises does the Patagonia Descensionist 40L make?

Despite it claiming a 40 liter volume, I somehow had trouble managing to fit similar loads inside that would have no trouble fitting my 32L pack. Perhaps it’s the shape of the main compartment, the location of the side zipper, or the cinch-top closure system? Perhaps my spatial awareness skills had deteriorated? I couldn’t figure it out - but I consistently had trouble getting my items to pack efficiently inside.

Secondly, the external ice ax carry system is a disaster. It’s as if Patagonia tried to take ideas from multiple different types of tool carry systems but didn’t follow through on any of them. Simply put, I couldn’t figure out how to attach a single ice tool to the outside, let alone two. Being forced to put them inside the safety pocket of the pack takes up valuable space and makes it harder to access my shovel and probe quickly. On a pack designed with ski mountaineering in mind, this is a serious drawback.

What does a perfect day in the Patagonia Descensionist 40L look like?

Patagonia’s new do-it-all backcountry skiing pack would be an excellent choice for someone looking for a single pack to do it all, any day of the year - perfect for ski touring guides and recreational skiers that require a slightly larger pack. It’s big enough for overnight trips or technical skiing, light enough for huge vert days, and cinches down small enough for resort skiing, travel, or when you don’t need to carry much. Despite a few small issues, which could be remedied with some tinkering, I think it’s a worthy evolution of one of my favorite packs of all time. 

The Patagonia Descensionist 40L will be available soon.